Bronze statue of boxing champion Yoko Gushiken erected in Ishigaki

Bronze statue of boxing champion Yoko Gushiken erected in Ishigaki

Yoko Gushiken (right) assumes the same posture as the statue. At Ishigaki Port Rito Terminal on December 26.


December 31, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

Ishigaki City Office has erected a bronze statue of Yoko Gushiken, former world boxing champion from Ishigaki, in Ishigaki Port Rito Terminal on December 26.
Gushiken took part in the unveiling ceremony. Seeing the statue depicting him in his prime, he spoke with deep feeling.

Wearing the champion’s belt, the statue holds his hands with gloves in the air. It is about 170 centimeters high, slightly bigger than himself. The physique and facial expression reflect Gushiken in his prime.

Although Gushiken looks calm and collected as a TV personality these days, the statue depicts his powerful figure. Known by the nickname Fierce Eagle, the former WBA Light Flyweight champion made 13 title defenses, a record for Japanese world champions.

Gushiken appeared at the ceremony with his ring entrance music Conquistador. He said, “I am overwhelmed. I am happy to cry and grateful to the Ishigaki citizens.”
The office erected the statue at the place where Gushiken boarded a ship to go to the main island of Okinawa when he was 15 years old. Gushiken said, “I boarded the ship to move to the main island of Okinawa and became the world champion. I am happy to see the statue depicting me in my prime at this place.”

After the ceremony, Gushiken took commemorative photographs with tourists and the citizens in front of the statue.

The office created the statue for the project to promote a new Ishigaki tourist spot called “Monument that makes want to take a photograph.”

(English translation by T&CT)

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