Ryukyu Golden Kings win the national championship for the third time
May 26, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
Okinawa’s national league basketball team won the championship in Japan’s professional basketball league or “bj league” at Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo on May 25. In the play off for the 2013-2014 season championship, the Ryukyu Golden Kings beat the Akita Northern Happinets of Akita Prefecture, 103 to 89. It is the third time the Kings have won the championship.
The Kings held a press conference to announce their victory at the Okinawa Prefectural Government Office building on May 26.
A representative of the team Tatsuo Kimura said, “Even though it was a long season, we were able to win the championship thanks to the support from Okinawan people.”
A first-year head coach of the team Tsutomu Isa said, “It was a great season because we stood together as a team to win, which was a theme of this season.”
The team captain Shigeyuki Kinjo said, “I am glad that we exerted ourselves to the utmost in the final.”
Ryuichi Kishimoto who earned the finals Most Valuable Player, said, “I was fortunate to be in good shape in the final.”
On the same day, the team held a party to announce its victory to Okinawan citizens at the OPG building. Many people came to celebrate the team’s accomplishment. Okinawan Vice Governor Kurayoshi Takara said, “The Kings gave courage and hope to Okinawan people. I would like the team to continue to thrill us.”
(English translation by T&CT)
Previous Article:“National treasure” hit by cars beyond designated risk-zone
Next Article:Ospreys eight times louder than the CH-53 helicopter
[Similar Articles]
- Ryukyu Golden Kings attracts 100,000 visitors a year for the first time in a professional basketball league in Japan
- Kings loses close game at B-League opening match
- Okinawa team wins championship at Karate 1 Premier League
- Ryo Kiyuna wins 8th straight championship at Karate1 Premier League Tokyo 2019, with his team also winning the group Kata
- Orix pitcher Miyagi wins rookie of the year, the second-straight Okinawan to do so, with Taira winning the previous year