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News from Bryan Asa at the 13th WKC Posted December 9, 2006
Canada's men's team defeated France and Brazil to move ahead, but
lost a very close match with the US. The momentum and team score
shifted back and forth many times. Shigemitsu
Kamata
defeated the US Senpo in the opening match.
Suguru
Asaoka lost
to top US player Danny Yang in the second match. Dean
Ara tied the third. Daisaku
Taguchi defeated his US opponent in the fourth match,
winning a fighting spirit award in the process. However, Matthew
Raymond lost a tough match to
the USA's other top player, Chris Yang and Canada was
eliminated based on point totals.
In a historic upset, the US went on to defeat Japan! Two of the
US players lost 2-0 to Japan, however, both
Yang brothers defeated
their Japanese counterparts 2-0. The Japanese Taisho, under
extreme pressure to win, was forced to take some chances and was
defeated by the US Taisho. The US advanced to the finals and was
defeated by Korea.
While the Men's Team may not have reached its goals, I feel that
the 2006 Team, led by Captain Dean Ara and Coach Ray Murao, ranks
as one of the best teams to represent Canada. Their commitment,
teamwork and attitude were admirable.
Men's Team Canada are: Captain Dean Ara, Taro Ariga, Matthew
Raymond, Suguru Asaoka, Daisaku Taguchi, Robin Tanaka, Ben
Shirahama, Shigemitsu Kamata and Coach Ray Murao.
Canada's men played well in the Men's Individuals despite a very
tough draw.
Shigemitsu Kamata defeated top US player Danny Yang, then went
on to meet a Korean player. The match went on to overtime
before he lost. Shigemitsu reached the top 8 level and was
awarded a fighting spirit award for his performance.
Robin Tanaka won his second match but his earlier loss prevented
him from advancing from his block.
Both Ben Shirahama and Matthew Raymond emerged from their
preliminary heats but lost to members of the Korean team.
Matthew's final match was over 30 minutes long.
In the end, Hojo of Japan defeated Tanaka of Japan in the
finals. However, at one point, only Hojo had advanced to the
semi-finals and Tanaka was losing 1-0 to a Korean player with 2
Korean players already advancing from their courts. It looked
like the final four would be made up of 3 Koreans and 1
Japanese. However, Tanaka came back and won to even out the top
4.
Overall, an exciting day and another strong showing by Canada.
Canada's Women's Team came Third after defeating France in a
close quarter-final match. The Europeans continue to improve,
as Germany eliminated the US Team as well as the Taiwan Team to
place third with Canada.
Coach Wendy Robillard also competed in the team match to add
experience to the roster. Her contribution was significant in
Canada's win over France.
Canada lost to Korea in another close match at the semi-final
level. Japan defeated Korea in the Team Finals.
In the Women's Individuals, Maya Taguchi reached the top 16
level and Mako Hayashi fought her way to the top 8 in the
Women's Individual matches. Mako's 2-0 individual victory over
a Korean player, encho match with Inagaki of Japan and strong
play as the team Taisho won her a fighting spirit award.
Both Aki Fukushima and Yuki Hayashi competed well but were
unable to emerge from their preliminary heats.
Overall, the women played well and ensured that Canada maintain
its position as one of the top countries in the world.
Congratulations to Captain Mako Hayashi, Maya Taguchi, Yuki
Hayashi, Chiharu Hao, Natsuko Fukushima, Shiho Kamata, Akiko
Fukushima and player coach Wendy Robillard on a job well done!
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