NAGOYA –
A stone-skipping event on the Nagara River in Gifu Prefecture has drawn consideration to 32-year-old Kosei Kigo of Nagoya, whose extraordinary dedication to the childhood pastime consists of spending hours trying to find the proper stones, taking non-public teaching classes, and competing in opposition to a few of Japan’s high athletes in pursuit of stone-skipping mastery.
The Nagara River in Gifu Prefecture, identified for its clear waters and extensive riverbanks scattered with flat stones, hosted the third Gifu Nagaragawa Stone Skipping Tournament in May. Competitors confronted a easy problem: throw a stone throughout the water and see what number of occasions it skips. Behind that straightforward idea, nonetheless, lies a world of intense dedication, technical experience, and fierce rivalry.
Stone skipping competitions are held each in Japan and abroad, together with world championships. Among the game’s fans, one title repeatedly comes up: Kigo.
“If you’re talking about competitors from Nagoya, it’s Kigo. He’s a very strong opponent,” stated Ning Hou, who traveled from Yokohama to compete.
“He’s the face of the Tokai region,” stated participant Yohei Kosaka from Osaka. “Because he takes it so seriously, he almost looks obsessive.”
Kigo, who works in youngster welfare, has constructed a repute by competing in tournaments throughout Japan. He completed runner-up on the Nagara River event two years in the past and is thought to be one of many nation’s high rivals.
In early May, Kigo and fellow stone-skipping fans gathered on the banks of the Nagara River for an important a part of their preparation: trying to find stones.
Kigo appears for stones which might be flat, thick sufficient to grip comfortably, and formed in a manner that enables his fingers to catch correctly. Stones which might be too skinny can slip from the hand throughout launch.
Under the direct solar, he spent six hours combing the riverbank. By the tip of the day, he had collected a bag filled with stones, however solely two or three had been thought of severe candidates for competitors use.
“If you’re not particular about the stones, you won’t get results. Absolutely not,” Kigo stated. “More important than technique is finding the best stone possible in a riverbank like this.”
His dedication extends far past stone choice.
Ahead of the event, Kigo sought non-public teaching from Koji Ito, a bodily therapist, paying for one-on-one instruction to refine what he calls his very best stone-skipping kind.
“Your weight isn’t fully shifting to the left side. You’re releasing too much with your arm,” Ito suggested throughout a coaching session.
After one throw, Ito nodded approvingly.
“That was good. Really good.”
Ito admitted he was initially shocked by Kigo’s request for teaching however quickly grew to become fascinated by his dedication.
“I had no experience with stone skipping and simply visited a practice session,” Ito stated. “Then I saw Kigo’s passion. It made me realize that something people think of as a game can evolve into a true competitive sport. It goes beyond play.”
The science behind stone skipping has even grow to be the topic of educational analysis.
According to research, two elements are particularly vital: the stone’s spin and its angle relative to the water’s floor. Rapid horizontal rotation stabilizes the stone, whereas an angle of roughly 20 levels is taken into account very best for sustaining pace and maximizing the variety of skips.
Shinichiro Nagahiro, a professor within the Department of Integrated Engineering at Sendai Kosen College of Technology and writer of a paper on stone skipping, analyzed Kigo’s method.
“After the first impact, the stone’s orientation changes, and by the second impact it reaches an appropriate angle,” Nagahiro defined. “The 20-degree angle is maintained through rotation, allowing the stone to glide across the water while preserving stability.”
For Kigo, the enchantment goes past physics.
“All we’re doing is throwing stones into a river,” he stated. “But when people watch great stone skipping, they react with amazement. There’s something that moves people emotionally. I want to create stone skips that inspire those who see them.”
The event’s Masters Division featured 14 rivals, together with a number of the sport’s greatest names.
Among them was Keisuke Hashimoto, a former world champion whom Kigo regards as each buddy and rival.
“He’s both a rival and a companion,” Kigo stated.
“For me to win, he’s a wall I have to overcome,” Hashimoto replied.
Another main contender was Ning Hou, a China-born competitor who gained all 4 main home tournaments held in Japan final yr and entered the occasion because the two-time defending Masters champion on the Nagara River competitors.
“I think Kigo will become even stronger,” Hou stated. “He’s going to be a formidable rival.”
The Nagara River presents a singular problem for rivals. Its quick present and robust winds typically create tough water, making lengthy skip counts troublesome to realize.
As the primary competitor to throw within the Masters Division, Kigo recorded 12 skips on his opening try.
His second throw managed solely three.
“The waves are strong, so I’ll switch to a crescent-shaped stone like this,” he stated.
Reading the river situations, he modified stones on the spot. His third throw produced 10 skips.
His fourth and last try reached 5.
Kigo’s greatest mark of 12 skips left him tied for sixth place among the many 14 rivals. The successful rating was 16 skips.
“I felt I made some really good releases and throws,” Kigo stated afterward. “But the river got the better of me.”
Despite falling in need of victory, his ardour remained undiminished.
“Stone skipping may be the thing that makes me feel alive,” he stated. “When a stone I throw stays on the water’s surface, it feels like nature has accepted me. My goal is to keep skipping stones until the day I die. I’d even like to enter my coffin with a stone. Ha ha ha.”
Like the stones he sends dancing throughout the water, Kigo’s pursuit continues.
Source: CBC