Japan's Frescoball National Team Aims for Victory at the Inaugural Brazil Championship

The Japan Frescoball Association, known as JFBA and led by president Kenji Kuboshima, has recently initiated a crowdfunding campaign for their national team, aimed at clinching victory in their inaugural Brazil championship. This significant event will take place at Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro from June 7 to 8, 2024, during the Frescoball Brazil Championship (CIRCUITO CARIOCA DE FRESCOBOL 2°).

The Japanese team comprises six pairs of athletes, with two male teams, three female teams, and one mixed team, totaling ten participants. These athletes have triumphed in the 2024 Annual FRESCOBALL JAPAN TOUR, and they will face top contenders from Brazil, a country renowned for this sport.

Meet the Frescoball National Team

- Men's Teams:

- Kouta Akatsuka & Yasuo Igarashi
- Yuji Toyama & Takanori Matsuura

- Women's Teams:

- Chikako Kazeumi & Yuki Miyama
- Momoko Yamaguchi & Misako Yamatoji
- Chisei Okamoto & Maaya Ochiai

- Mixed Team:

- Yasuo Igarashi & Yuki Miyama

The competition will feature elite Brazilian players, and winning in the professional category—considered the pinnacle of the sport—has been a long-held aspiration for the JFBA since its establishment. In September 2024, the association managed to send winning pairs to the Portugal Championship, where Japanese pairs dominated the podium; however, the absence of top Brazilian players made that victory somewhat different from what they are seeking in Brazil.

Currently, the Japanese Frescoball community is remarkably close to achieving its goal but still requires that last push. As a developing sport, the expenses for international travel are a burden for the athletes. Thus, the crowdfunding campaign was launched to support the Japanese team as they prepare to engage in tough battles far from home. The JFBA invites everyone to contribute to their mission to achieve the title of 'the world's best.' For more details, please visit the project page:

Japan's Frescoball National Team Crowdfunding Project

In a recent announcement, the team has also received backing from the sports supplement brand DNS, providing additional support for the athletes. The JFBA is committed to rallying support for the national team under the guidance of this partnership.

What is Frescoball?

Frescoball originated in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1945 at Copacabana Beach. Its uniqueness lies in its cooperative nature; instead of competing head-to-head, the two opponents work together to maintain a rally, earning points through their collaboration. Matches typically last for five minutes, with players maintaining a distance of 7 meters. This collaborative aspect has led to Frescoball being embraced as a