Japanese Bowlers 'Inspired' by New American Friends and Mini Eliminator
02/10/06
Column
By Jim Goodwin
For the third consecutive year, Nippon Brunswick, the Asian affiliate of the Brunswick Corporation, has brought a large contingent of Japanese bowlers to the Super Bowl Mini Eliminator. Click on the image to enlarge it.
Altogether, there are 23 bowlers in the group who will compete in the Mini, and over 40 people in the traveling party. "This is becoming a very important event to the Japanese players," said Grant Terauchi, the Japanese/American interpreter and 'tour guide' for the group. "They actually have a contest in Japan to win this trip," he added.
Leading the group to Las Vegas from Nippon Brunswick are General Manager Mr. Tetsuo Ashikaga and Sales Manager Mr. Takeshi Nakao. Nakao reported that the group is enjoying their stay in Las Vegas and they are very happy to be a part of the event.
"Our goals this week are to bowl well and make new friendships with not only the American bowlers, but with many others from around the world," said Nakao. Many in the group also confided to Nakao that they were a little apprehensive upon their arrival, not knowing what to expect, but that shyness soon evaporated.
"Now they are inspired by the warm welcome, and they are really enjoying the experience," he said.
Pinacle Events President Steve Sanders sees the Japanese participation not only as an opportunity to make new friends from Japan, but as the beginning of a long term relationship which may result in having new tournaments in Japan.
"We would love to have an event like the Mini in Japan, and we will definitely be talking to our new friends about taking our Generations Bowling Tour to Japan," he said. "We would love to develop a couple of invitational events where our GBT players would visit Japan and some of their best could come to America to participate in some of our events, and create sort of a Japan/USA Cup for seniors."
Whatever happens in the future, it began with the friendships formed here at the Mini Eliminator, and a great group of Japanese bowlers who wanted to experience an American event. Isn't it amazing what new friendships can produce?
Altogether, there are 23 bowlers in the group who will compete in the Mini, and over 40 people in the traveling party. "This is becoming a very important event to the Japanese players," said Grant Terauchi, the Japanese/American interpreter and 'tour guide' for the group. "They actually have a contest in Japan to win this trip," he added.
Leading the group to Las Vegas from Nippon Brunswick are General Manager Mr. Tetsuo Ashikaga and Sales Manager Mr. Takeshi Nakao. Nakao reported that the group is enjoying their stay in Las Vegas and they are very happy to be a part of the event.
"Our goals this week are to bowl well and make new friendships with not only the American bowlers, but with many others from around the world," said Nakao. Many in the group also confided to Nakao that they were a little apprehensive upon their arrival, not knowing what to expect, but that shyness soon evaporated.
"Now they are inspired by the warm welcome, and they are really enjoying the experience," he said.
Pinacle Events President Steve Sanders sees the Japanese participation not only as an opportunity to make new friends from Japan, but as the beginning of a long term relationship which may result in having new tournaments in Japan. "We would love to have an event like the Mini in Japan, and we will definitely be talking to our new friends about taking our Generations Bowling Tour to Japan," he said. "We would love to develop a couple of invitational events where our GBT players would visit Japan and some of their best could come to America to participate in some of our events, and create sort of a Japan/USA Cup for seniors."
Whatever happens in the future, it began with the friendships formed here at the Mini Eliminator, and a great group of Japanese bowlers who wanted to experience an American event. Isn't it amazing what new friendships can produce?