#Japan #National Championship #Setagaya #A.S.WAKABA #Sepak Takraw

A.S.WAKABA Team Shines in Sepak Takraw National Championship

A.S.WAKABA, a prominent Sepak Takraw team based in the Wakabayashi district of Setagaya, Tokyo, has made headlines with its remarkable performance at the "2025 All Japan Sepak Takraw Doubles Championship" held from October 4 to 5, 2025. The men's B team emerged victorious in the top division, Division S, while the women's C team secured a commendable second place in Division W.

Overview of the Championship

Sepak Takraw, originating from Southeast Asia, is known as the "air martial arts" due to its acrobatic gameplay that involves players using their feet and heads to strike a rattan ball over a net. The "2025 All Japan Sepak Takraw Doubles Championship" is considered the pinnacle of domestic doubles competitions, attracting top players from across the country in thrilling contests for the title of Japan's best.

Championship Details:

• - Event Name: "2025 All Japan Sepak Takraw Doubles Championship, presented by Pal Pharmacy"
• - Dates: October 4-5, 2025
• - Venue: Fujimi City Comprehensive Gymnasium
• - Organizer: Japan Sepak Takraw Association
• - Website: JSTAF

A.S.WAKABA's Accomplishments

A.S.WAKABA participated with a total of 8 teams (2 men's teams and 6 women's teams) at the championship. As they showcased their training efforts, the men's B team battled through a challenging tournament in Division S, ultimately clinching the championship title. Meanwhile, the women's C team reached the finals in Division W, finishing as the runners-up.

Highlights:

• - Men's B Team (Hirokazu Kobayashi & Toshiki Naito): Division S Champions
• - Women's C Team (Hiromiko Maeda & Saki Hayashi): Division W Runners-Up

Testimonials from Award-Winning Players

Men's B Team Champions (A.S.WAKABA)

• - Hirokazu Kobayashi: "Winning the doubles title after seven long years feels incredible. Thank you to all our supporters. We won't settle for this victory and are committed to further improvement ahead of the winter national championships. Witness the thrill of Sepak Takraw live!"

• - Toshiki Naito: "Winning at the Doubles Championship was a fantastic experience! During tough moments in the match, the encouragement from the audience really propelled us forward. We will continue to repay your support with our performances at the upcoming winter championships!"

Women's C Team Runners-Up (A.S.WAKABA)

• - Hiromiko Maeda: "I am filled with joy to have achieved second place in my beloved doubles! I wholeheartedly thank those who supported us. However, the disappointment of not securing the championship remains. I will use this as motivation to practice for the winter nationals!"

• - Saki Hayashi: "I'm thrilled with our runner-up finish. I'm deeply grateful to my stellar teammate and everyone who supports us. We'll work on our skills and strive for victory in the winter championships!"

Future Prospects

The A.S.WAKABA team aims to use this success as motivation for continued growth and the promotion of Sepak Takraw. The next goal is to win the "36th All Japan Sepak Takraw Championship, Hirano Cup," scheduled for December 27-28 at the Komazawa Olympic Park indoor arena. The team is dedicated to rigorous training leading up to this competition.

In addition to their competitive aspirations, A.S.WAKABA is committed to increasing awareness and participation in Sepak Takraw through various community initiatives, including organizing workshops and sharing updates on social media. They encourage anyone interested to join in the excitement of the sport, welcoming newcomers and beginners at their bi-monthly training sessions.

For more details, check out their official website: A.S.WAKABA Sepak Takraw Club

The club, affiliated with the Wakabayashi comprehensive sports and cultural club, consists of about 30 members ranging from high school students to adults. They train three times a week at Setagaya Junior High School, living out their philosophy of sharing the joy of Sepak Takraw while passionately pursuing its growth and promotion in society.

Currently, A.S.WAKABA is raising funds through an athlete-focused crowdfunding initiative, "Furisake," to provide an environment where athletes can focus on their training and aim for international competition success. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

• - Project Name: "Taking the World from This Town: A.S.WAKABA's Challenge from Setagaya Wakabayashi"
• - Funding URL: Furisake Project
• - Funding Period: October 1, 2025 - January 16, 2026