Japan’s Lifesaving World Championships team didn’t just come to the Gold Coast for a participation medal.
Steeped in lifesaving sports history, including regularly hosting the world’s best athletes at the Sanyo Cup, Japan brought a team blended with youth and experience with plenty of genuine chances to finish high in the points.
Top of that list was Shohgo Horie who took out the Open Beach Flags at the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships in April and was the one to beat on Sunday.
So feared was he, that not until the final showdown against Australia’s Jason Gough did anyone even attempt to outpace Horie across the sand.
In the end it was Horie who reigned supreme, adding world title to his growing and impressive resume.
“I focussed on the feeling of winning at Aussies to calm my nerves,” he said. “I knew the feeling and wanted to feel that again.
“I was a bit nervous going into the event, but I am really thankful and happy for the support.
Fellow teammate, Sara Tazaki trains out of Northcliffe Surf Life Saving Club with some of the highest-profile athletes in the sport.
Her first season on the Gold Coast was at Mermaid Beach before moving to North Burleigh for two seasons. She then moved to Northcliffe in the U13s.
Training with the likes of World Championships opponents Lana Rogers (Australia) and Olivia Corrin (New Zealand) at club level has been a bonus for Tazaki who moves into taking on a leadership role when wearing the Japanese cap.
“It is good to be with the Japanese team… I get to improve my Japanese!” she joked. “Going from trying to sit on the feet of all the Aussies and Kiwis at training to being a leader in the Japanese team is bit of a different environment which I enjoy.
“Japan is really improving their skills and speed so super-excited to see what they manage to do in the future.
“They push me around a bit, and we all try to push each other.”
