The 1st DAIHATSU Kurume Junior Open Badminton Tournament Report

A Huge Gathering of Junior Players
A new chapter of badminton history begins in Kurume, a place with a strong link to Daihatsu!

“The 1st DAIHATSU Kurume Junior Open Badminton Tournament” was held for 2 days on Saturday 4 August and Sunday 5 August at Fukuoka Prefectural Kurume Comprehensive Sports Center Gymnasium (also known as Kurume Arena), which is located inside the comprehensive sports center in Kurume City, Fukuoka prefecture.

The tournament featured male and female singles and doubles competition junior players in elementary and junior high school. This was the first time it was held.

Coming from not only Fukuoka but also from the rest of Kyushu arena and places like Hiroshima and Yamaguchi, a total of 1,307 players participated in the tournament across the 2 days. They played intense matches to claim the honor of being the first ever champion.

“Kurume Arena”, the venue of the tournament, is a gymnasium that was just opened this year. As befits the start of a new tournament, a large number of team assistants and family members gathered at the brand-new venue to tirelessly applaud and cheer for the junior players who played with so much spirit at the tournament.

＜Daihatsu’s Connection with the Host City Kurume＞

The 1st DAIHATSU Kurume Junior Open Badminton Tournament was held in Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture, a place that has a strong connection with the main sponsor company Daihatsu.
Kurume is home to the Kurume plant of Daihatsu’s group company Daihatsu Kyushu Co., Ltd., where our engine, the “heart” of the car, is manufactured. Daihatsu’s Kyushu Development Center is also located within the city, where engines are developed along with technology aimed towards smart mobility for the future.
A Daihatsu booth was set up during the tournament, where staff from Daihatsu Kyushu Co., Ltd. and the Kyushu Development Center handed out drinks, cheering goods and paper fans to the players, family members and team assistants who participated in the tournament.

Interview for the champion

Junior High School Section

	Boys Class A Doubles Winner Jinta KANEKO How do you feel? There were times during the matches where I felt mentally exhausted, but I am happy because I didn’t give up until the very end and I managed to win the tournament. What is your dream? My next goal is to go to the Kyushu Tournament for the doubles of the Nippon Junior High School Physical Culture Association. Who is your favourite badminton player? Kento MOMOTA Toa JINNOUCHI How do you feel? There were matches where it looked like we would lose, but it was good that the two of us never gave up until the end. What is your dream? My next goal is to go to the Kyushu Tournament for the doubles of the Nippon Junior High School Physical Culture Association. Who is your favourite badminton player? Kento MOMOTA, Kevin Sanjaya SUKAMULJO

Boys Class A Doubles Winner

Jinta KANEKO

How do you feel?: There were times during the matches where I felt mentally exhausted, but I am happy because I didn’t give up until the very end and I managed to win the tournament.
What is your dream?: My next goal is to go to the Kyushu Tournament for the doubles of the Nippon Junior High School Physical Culture Association.
Who is your favourite badminton player?: Kento MOMOTA

Toa JINNOUCHI

How do you feel?: There were matches where it looked like we would lose, but it was good that the two of us never gave up until the end.
What is your dream?: My next goal is to go to the Kyushu Tournament for the doubles of the Nippon Junior High School Physical Culture Association.
Who is your favourite badminton player?: Kento MOMOTA, Kevin Sanjaya SUKAMULJO

	Girls Class A Doubles Winner Kokona HAMADA How do you feel? I am very happy! It was great that the two of us communicated with each other while we played! What is your dream? To be number 1 at the Kyushu tournament. I want to become a strong world-class badminton player in the future. Who is your favourite badminton player? Nozomi OKUHARA Anri NONAKA How do you feel? I am very happy! What is your dream? An Olympic player. Who is your favourite badminton player? TAI Tzu Ying

Girls Class A Doubles Winner

Kokona HAMADA

How do you feel?: I am very happy! It was great that the two of us communicated with each other while we played!
What is your dream?: To be number 1 at the Kyushu tournament. I want to become a strong world-class badminton player in the future.
Who is your favourite badminton player?: Nozomi OKUHARA

Anri NONAKA

How do you feel?: I am very happy!
What is your dream?: An Olympic player.
Who is your favourite badminton player?: TAI Tzu Ying

	Boys Class B Doubles Winner Manaya NAKAMURA How do you feel? I am very happy. I think it was because I showed the result of my daily practice. What is your dream? My next goal is to do my best to improve my skills so that I can match up evenly with players that are above me. Who is your favourite badminton player? Kento MOMOTA Seiya USAGAWA How do you feel? I am happy. I won because I did not make many mistakes. What is your dream? To find a good career.

Boys Class B Doubles Winner

Manaya NAKAMURA

How do you feel?: I am very happy. I think it was because I showed the result of my daily practice.
What is your dream?: My next goal is to do my best to improve my skills so that I can match up evenly with players that are above me.
Who is your favourite badminton player?: Kento MOMOTA

Seiya USAGAWA

How do you feel?: I am happy. I won because I did not make many mistakes.
What is your dream?: To find a good career.

	Girls Class B Doubles Winner Juna MIZUTA How do you feel? I am happy. What is your dream? Nothing in particular. Who is your favourite badminton player? Nozomi OKUHARA Uta MARUISHI How do you feel? I am happy. What is your dream? A secretary or a police officer. Who is your favourite badminton player? Akane YAMAGUCHI

Girls Class B Doubles Winner

Juna MIZUTA

How do you feel?: I am happy.
What is your dream?: Nothing in particular.
Who is your favourite badminton player?: Nozomi OKUHARA

Uta MARUISHI

How do you feel?: I am happy.
What is your dream?: A secretary or a police officer.
Who is your favourite badminton player?: Akane YAMAGUCHI

	Boys Class A Singles Winner Tsubasa MURASE How do you feel? I was able to hit clean smashes. I am very happy that I achieved a good result. What is your dream? To get results at official tournaments as well. Who is your favourite badminton player? Koo TAKAHASHI

	Girls Class A Singles Winner Mao YOSHIMURA How do you feel? I’m happy I won at the very first tournament. What is your dream? To win the next tournament as well.

	Boys Class B Singles Winner Manaya NAKAMURA How do you feel? I am really happy to be the winner of the tournament for both singles and doubles. What is your dream? I want to do my best so that I can match it with players that are further above me. Who is your favourite badminton player? Kento MOMOTA

	Girls Class B Singles Winner Uta MARUISHI How do you feel? I am happy. What is your dream? A librarian or a police officer. Who is your favourite badminton player? Akane YAMAGUCHI

Primary School Section

	Boys Group A Doubles Winner Ruka MITSUTOMI How do you feel? My partner HISANO covered the front while I hit smashes from behind, which allowed us to keep attacking and win in the end. What is your dream? To compete at international tournaments. Who is your favourite badminton player? Takeshi KAMURA Miyabi HISANO How do you feel? I lost at the final of the Kyushu tournament when I was in grade 4, so I am happy to win this time. What is your dream? To become a member of the prefecture team and enter the national tournament and win in the group and individual matches. Who is your favourite badminton player? Yuta WATANABE

Boys Group A Doubles Winner

Ruka MITSUTOMI

How do you feel?: My partner HISANO covered the front while I hit smashes from behind, which allowed us to keep attacking and win in the end.
What is your dream?: To compete at international tournaments.
Who is your favourite badminton player?: Takeshi KAMURA

Miyabi HISANO

How do you feel?: I lost at the final of the Kyushu tournament when I was in grade 4, so I am happy to win this time.
What is your dream?: To become a member of the prefecture team and enter the national tournament and win in the group and individual matches.
Who is your favourite badminton player?: Yuta WATANABE

	Girls Group A Doubles Winner Nao OISHI How do you feel? I didn’t give up until the end. What is your dream? To reach the national tournament. Who is your favourite badminton player? Akane YAMAGUCHI, Nozomi OKUHARA Arisa TONO How do you feel? I won because I kept chasing the shuttle and never gave up until the end. What is your dream? To be a member of the prefecture selection! Who is your favourite badminton player? Ayaka TAKAHASHI, Misaki MATSUTOMO

Girls Group A Doubles Winner

Nao OISHI

How do you feel?: I didn’t give up until the end.
What is your dream?: To reach the national tournament.
Who is your favourite badminton player?: Akane YAMAGUCHI, Nozomi OKUHARA

Arisa TONO

How do you feel?: I won because I kept chasing the shuttle and never gave up until the end.
What is your dream?: To be a member of the prefecture selection!
Who is your favourite badminton player?: Ayaka TAKAHASHI, Misaki MATSUTOMO

	Boys Group B Doubles Winner Keiju MIYAHARA How do you feel? I am very happy! I let out my voice! What is your dream? To enter the national tournament in grade 3. To make robots. Who is your favourite badminton player? Kento MOMOTA, Viktor AXELSEN Ichinosuke SAMURA How do you feel? I am very happy. It was the first time for us to play together in matches, and many combination plays. What is your dream? To become the champion at the ABC tournament. To become the world number 1 player. Who is your favourite badminton player? Kento MOMOTA, LEE Chong Wei

Boys Group B Doubles Winner

Keiju MIYAHARA

How do you feel?: I am very happy! I let out my voice!
What is your dream?: To enter the national tournament in grade 3. To make robots.
Who is your favourite badminton player?: Kento MOMOTA, Viktor AXELSEN

Ichinosuke SAMURA

How do you feel?: I am very happy. It was the first time for us to play together in matches, and many combination plays.
What is your dream?: To become the champion at the ABC tournament. To become the world number 1 player.
Who is your favourite badminton player?: Kento MOMOTA, LEE Chong Wei

	Girls Group B Doubles Winner Haruka MUKAE How do you feel? I am happy to win the first Daihatsu Open. We won because we got along well and talked to help each other. What is your dream? I want to make the most of this experience and do my best in future matches. Who is your favourite badminton player? Ayaka TAKAHASHI, Misaki MATSUTOMO, Akane YAMAGUCHI, Nozomi OKUHARA Nanami KANOO How do you feel? I am really happy to win the very first tournament. We won because we helped each other as a pair. What is your dream? I want to win at the 2nd Daihatsu Open as well. Who is your favourite badminton player? Ayaka TAKAHASHI, Misaki MATSUTOMO

Girls Group B Doubles Winner

Haruka MUKAE

How do you feel?: I am happy to win the first Daihatsu Open. We won because we got along well and talked to help each other.
What is your dream?: I want to make the most of this experience and do my best in future matches.
Who is your favourite badminton player?: Ayaka TAKAHASHI, Misaki MATSUTOMO, Akane YAMAGUCHI, Nozomi OKUHARA

Nanami KANOO

How do you feel?: I am really happy to win the very first tournament. We won because we helped each other as a pair.
What is your dream?: I want to win at the 2nd Daihatsu Open as well.
Who is your favourite badminton player?: Ayaka TAKAHASHI, Misaki MATSUTOMO

	Boys Group C Doubles Winner Kotaro YANAGI How do you feel? I am happy. I have gained confidence. What is your dream? I want to get into the Olympics! I want to play in the green court at the ABC tournament this year. Who is your favourite badminton player? Kento MOMOTA Sosuke YAMASHITA How do you feel? I felt that I could win the tournament. I am happy. What is your dream? My next goal is to enter the ABC tournament next year. My future dream is to become a school teacher. Who is your favourite badminton player? I don’t have one.

Boys Group C Doubles Winner

Kotaro YANAGI

How do you feel?: I am happy. I have gained confidence.
What is your dream?: I want to get into the Olympics! I want to play in the green court at the ABC tournament this year.
Who is your favourite badminton player?: Kento MOMOTA

Sosuke YAMASHITA

How do you feel?: I felt that I could win the tournament. I am happy.
What is your dream?: My next goal is to enter the ABC tournament next year. My future dream is to become a school teacher.
Who is your favourite badminton player?: I don’t have one.

	Girls Group C Doubles Winner Shiina FUKUDA How do you feel? It was my first time to win a tournament so I was happy. I met someone from another team for the first time and formed a doubles pair. We discussed with each other about where to aim for. I was not very nervous and my body moved well. What is your dream? My next goal is to win the tournament for singles as well. My dream is to be a baker. Who is your favourite badminton player? Kokona HAMADA Yukie AKIYOSHI How do you feel? It is my first time to win the doubles tournament for so I am very happy. Thanks to the help from my partner Fukuda. What is your dream? A badminton player. I want to win the tournament for singles too. Who is your favourite badminton player? Akane YAMAGUCHI

Girls Group C Doubles Winner

Shiina FUKUDA

How do you feel?: It was my first time to win a tournament so I was happy.
I met someone from another team for the first time and formed a doubles pair. We discussed with each other about where to aim for. I was not very nervous and my body moved well.
What is your dream?: My next goal is to win the tournament for singles as well.
My dream is to be a baker.
Who is your favourite badminton player?: Kokona HAMADA

Yukie AKIYOSHI

How do you feel?: It is my first time to win the doubles tournament for so I am very happy.
Thanks to the help from my partner Fukuda.
What is your dream?: A badminton player. I want to win the tournament for singles too.
Who is your favourite badminton player?: Akane YAMAGUCHI

	Boys Group A Singles Winner Norihiro KOBAYASHI How do you feel? I am happy. I won because I did not make many mistakes. What is your dream? The last 8 at the national primary school tournament. Who is your favourite badminton player? Yuta WATANABE

	Girls Group A Singles Winner Saki YANAGI How do you feel? I am happy. I never gave up and fought until the end. What is your dream? A badminton player. Who is your favourite badminton player? Nozomi OKUHARA

	Boys Group B Singles Winner Shun UEHATA How do you feel? I feel good. What is your dream? To win the Kyushu tournament. Who is your favourite badminton player? Takeshi KAMURA

	Girls Group B Singles Winner Aoi SUMIDA How do you feel? I got forward more than usual so I was able to win. What is your dream? To progress to the ABC tournament. An Olympic player. A pharmacist. Who is your favourite badminton player? Nozomi OKUHARA, Mei SUDO

	Boys Group C Singles Winner Kotaro YANAGI How do you feel? I am happy. What is your dream? A badminton player. Who is your favourite badminton player? Kento MOMOTA

	Girls Group C Singles Winner Anna KAWANO How do you feel? I am happy to be the winner of the tournament. What is your dream? I want to win in the next tournament as well. Who is your favourite badminton player? Tetsuo URA, Akane YAMAGUCHI

Watch exciting matches between elementary and junior high school students!

We received messages of support to the Japanese national players from the players and spectators!

From the Kurume City Badminton Association

Koichi OGATA (Kurume City Badminton Association Chairman)

Many players participated even though it was the first tournament. I think the tournament gained more attention from the players thanks to the Daihatsu sponsorship.
The booth, banners and posters at the entrance of the venue attracted children and created a lively atmosphere. The players and their guardians also liked the drinks that were provided to prevent heat stroke in the extremely hot weather.
The participants also said things such as “it was a great practice because there were not many chances to play against players from other prefectures” and “it was really fun to meet many different players. I’m looking forward to the 2nd tournament as well.”
The number of participants exceeded expectations, so we had to make some alterations to the tournament on the day, which was an inconvenienced the participants. The tournament was able to go ahead thanks to everyone’s understanding.
We will make the most of what we learned this time, and cooperate with each of the organizations towards holding the next tournament.
We want to further establish this tournament and bring in even more participants from outside the Kyushu region.

Daihatsu Kyushu and Daihatsu supported the tournament together with the people from the local region!

A Huge Gathering of Junior Players A new chapter of badminton history begins in Kurume, a place with a strong link to Daihatsu!

＜Daihatsu’s Connection with the Host City Kurume＞

Junior High School Section

Primary School Section

The 1st DAIHATSU Kurume Junior Open
Badminton Tournament Report

A Huge Gathering of Junior Players
A new chapter of badminton history begins in Kurume, a place with a strong link to Daihatsu!