Journalism of Courage
Japan may have been seen as a leftfield choice to host the Rugby World Cup but if you want a sense of the country's long love affair with the game, you could do worse than to get along to Tokyo's Fuwaku club. (Reuters)
Ryuichi Nagayama, 86, Fuwaku Rugby Club's oldest active player, changes his clothes as he prepares for his training in Tokyo, Japan. As a doctor, Nagayama is well aware of the risks involved in playing a high impact sport at his age and the club’s website gives detailed advice on health precautions and even links to a life insurance company. (Reuters)
Ryuichi Nagayama, 86, Fuwaku Rugby Club's oldest active player, stretches as he watches a televised exercising program, at his house in Tokyo. Nagayama said. "I can't stand not playing. That's it... This may sound strange, but I have lost my wife years ago and now I would say I don't mind dying playing rugby." (Reuters)
A Fuwaku Rugby Club player (L) plays against another club team player during a match in Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Fuwaku, founded in 1948, is one of approximately 150 Japanese clubs that stage competitive, full-contact matches for players over the age of 40. (Reuters)
Fuwaku's General Manager Mitsuaki Okajima estimates there are around 10,000 veteran rugby players currently playing at clubs across Japan and his club alone has 300 players competing across all age categories. (Reuters)
Fuwaku Rugby Club players stretch before their friendly match in Fukaya, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. (Reuters)
