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Beleza sisters: Asano & Naga

Last Game of the Season: Coach, Mr. Hoshikawa, thanks the fans for a great season. _____

It’s been far too long since our last blog, but since the length of our absence is indicative of how much fun we’ve been having, I hope you can see it is a good thing! Much has happened, and we are eager to share our stories with you. Everything from meeting new people and visiting new cities, to talking with the new American Ambassador and being invited to see Obama speak live in Tokyo this Saturday. Needless to say, reviewing all these happenings in one blog would be like running the proverbial marathon. Instead, in true sprinter style, I will do my best to deliver each experience in a quick and powerfully entertaining burst through a series of blogs to come one at a time over the next three days.

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First and foremost, my soccer days in Tokyo are over. I have been away from the team only three days, and already I miss them. When I hear people talking with the youthful enthusiasm ubiquitous to all young people, independent of where you grew up or what language you speak, words like, “segoi”, “honto”, and “oskare sama des” bring me right back to the Beleza locker room and the voices of the people I’ve grown so fond of. As I am traveling through Japan, I know they are still training, braving the elements, working hard to become better soccer players, and laughing together along the way. Their exceptional attitudes and fun-loving spirits shown through bright eyes and big smiles, it’s impossible not to love them, and it’s impossible not to miss them.

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Our last week with the team was a special one. We went to historic Kyougijyo Stadium built in 1964 for the Tokyo Olympics to see Beleza play in their last regular season game of the year. They beat Inac in true Beleza fashion, out possessing and out working the opponent to secure second place in the league and a number two seed for the post season tournament. During the game, Jo and I made our way through the stands saying our hellos (and goodbyes) to parents and friends. We spent one of the halves cheering and talking with Beleza’s biggest supporters. They have awesome chants, incredible enthusiasm, and we loved jumping into the middle of their sea of green to support our friends and teammates on the field.

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After the game the supporters created a cheer to thank us for coming to Japan, training with the team, and cheering along with them in the stands on game days. They presented us each with a T-shirt from the Tsukiji fish market (the most famous in Tokyo) and a laminated group photo of us in the middle of all the supports taken at the game the week before. Their gratitude and generosity was incredible, and we are grateful for everything they have done to make our time with Beleza a truly amazing experience. It’s not always easy watching your teammates from the stands, not being on the field, not being on the bench, but joining the ranks of the true Beleza supporters gave us an outlet to contribute to the best of our cheering, chanting, arm raising, jumping, and singing ability.

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That night we had a team party, complete with food, drinks, and Karaoke. We all solemnly swore before the party commenced that, “what happens at the Beleza party, stays at the Beleza party.” Alas, I am sorry to say, that’s all I am at liberty to share with you.

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Critically important factoid! After game day at Kyougijyo Stadium and Beleza’s end of the season party Joanna’s pedometer read: 15,865 steps. That was our day off, and not the least bit atypical. I usually need a day off from our days off.

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Next blog: Our last day of practice with Beleza