In Mihama Town, Aichi Prefecture, which is promoting “community development centered on sports” spurred by the development of Mihama Town Sports Park (partially opening in FY2024 with an athletic stadium and exchange plaza), we will hold the Mihama Sports Festival 2023 with the aim of creating a lively community and promoting children’s health.

We welcome Shota Iizuka, a medalist in the 4x100m relay at the Rio Olympics (affiliated with Mizuno), and Kazuhiko Tomooka, a trainer with a career in Major League Baseball and experience training numerous Olympic and professional athletes (Performance Director at CREED PERFORMANCE). Together, these two globally active figures will host a talk session on the theme of “community development through sports” and conduct a running clinic for elementary and junior high school students.

＜Application＞

Click here to apply

*Participation is free. Deadline: Friday, January 20

＜Guest Introductions＞

Shota Iizuka

Silver medalist in the 4x100m relay at the Rio Olympics

Background:
Affiliated with Mizuno. First Asian to win the 200m at the 2010 World Junior Championships. Competed in the 2012 London Olympics. Won the 2016 Japan Championships in 20.11 seconds, the second-fastest time in Japanese history. Won a silver medal in the 4x100m relay at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Also a representative for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Kazuhiko Tomooka

Trainer, Performance Director at CREED PERFORMANCE

Background:
The first Japanese head strength coach in Major League Baseball (MLB). Served as a strength and conditioning coach for three MLB teams, including the Florida Marlins, starting in 1999. For over 20 years, he has supported athletes of all ages in track and field, baseball, swimming, soccer, and more, including many professional and Olympic athletes.

＜Mihama Sports Festival 2023＞

• Date: Sunday, January 29, 2023, 13:30–15:40 (Reception from 13:00)
• Venue: Nihon Fukushi University Mihama Campus Sports Lab SALTO
  35-6 Okuda Aigamamae, Mihama-cho, Chita-gun, Aichi Prefecture
• Details: https://www.town.aichi-mihama.lg.jp/docs/2022121600011/
• Program:
  1. Talk Session (13:30–14:20)
     Talk by Iizuka and Tomooka
     Theme: “The Future of Mihama Through Sports – What is Community Revitalization Through Sports?”
     Open to all – Limited to 100 participants (first come, first served)
  2. Running Clinic (14:30–15:40)
     Running clinic by Iizuka and Tomooka
     For elementary and junior high school students – Limited to 50 participants (first come, first served)
• Organizers & Co-organizers:
  Organized by: Mihama Town, Mihama Sports Community Development Promotion Office
  Co-organized by: Nihon Fukushi University Sports Science Center, Mirai Inc., CREED PERFORMANCE

＜About Mihama Town, Aichi Prefecture＞

Mihama Town is located at the southern tip of the Chita Peninsula in Aichi Prefecture, right in the center of Japan. It boasts scenic views with two beautiful seas— Ise Bay and Mikawa Bay— and lush green mountains. Just 40 minutes by car from Nagoya City and about 20 minutes from Chubu Centrair International Airport, Mihama is easily accessible from both eastern and western Japan. Currently, the town is developing the “Mihama Town Sports Park,” which includes a Class 3 certified athletic stadium and an artificial turf field, just 10 seconds on foot from Meitetsu Chita-Okuda Station (partial opening scheduled for FY2024). The town is advancing a “community development centered on sports” based on this park development.