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Photos: Japan’s elderly rough it out on the rugby pitch
Japan may have been seen as a leftfield choice to host the Rugby World Cup but if one wants a sense of the country's long love affair with the game, one should watch the elderly play at Tokyo's Fuwaku club. The club, founded in 1948, is one of approximately 150 Japanese clubs that stage competitive, full-contact matches for players over the age of 40 and the oldest man on the park is sprightly 86-year-old Ryuichi Nagayama. In a country where there is much concern over the loneliness of the elderly, rugby not only keeps the players active but also offers a ready-made social life.
Updated on: Sep 03, 2019 9:56 AM IST
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Members of Tokyo’s Fuwaku Rugby Club practise before a match in Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture. Japan may have been seen as a leftfield choice to host the Rugby World Cup, but the country’s long love affair with the game could be gauged by the active veterans who enjoy the game. Fuwaku, founded in 1948, is one of approximately 150 Japanese clubs that stage competitive, full-contact matches for players over the age of 40. (Kim Kyung-Hoon / REUTERS)
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Fuwaku Rugby Club players stretch before their friendly match in Fukaya, Saitama Prefecture. The World Cup, which starts next month, will certainly boost awareness of the game in Japan and, organisers hope, bring through a whole generation of young rugby players. (Kim Kyung-Hoon / REUTERS)
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Players of Fuwaku Rugby Club play against another club team during a match in Kumagaya. The country, though, has long been in the top 10 in the world for the number of rugby players with more than 1,20,000 at the last World Rugby census. 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. (Kim Kyung-Hoon / REUTERS)
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Ryuichi Nagayama (L), 86, Fuwaku Rugby Club’s oldest active player, participates in his team training in Tokyo. As a doctor, Nagayama is well aware of the risks involved in playing a high impact sport at his age. “You tackle and battle each other, but the gathering after the play is so enjoyable and fun,” said Nagayama. (Kim Kyung-Hoon / REUTERS)
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Nagayama examines a patient at his hospital in Tokyo. "Since I joined Fuwaku Club, I have broken ribs many times and broke my collarbone too," he said. "I can't stand not playing. (Kim Kyung-Hoon / REUTERS)
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Nagayama prays in front of an altar for his deceased wife at his house in Tokyo. "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," he further added. (Kim Kyung-Hoon / REUTERS)
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Fuwaku Rugby Club players have a drink at a restaurant after playing their match in Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture. In a country where there is much concern over the loneliness of the elderly, rugby not only keeps the players active but also offers a ready-made social life. (Kim Kyung-Hoon / REUTERS)
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