Shiro Tanaka, the small giant who pushed up the Japanese rugby world, retires and challenges the world’s highest league, which he “came with a rebellious spirit”: Tokyo Shimbun TOKYO Web

On the 24th, 39-year-old SH Shiro Tanaka (Tokatsu), a former member of Japan’s national rugby team who participated in three World Cups, announced on the 24th that he will retire from playing at the end of this season. He is from Kyoto Prefecture and entered Sanyo Electric (now Saitama) from Kyoto Fushimi Technical High School (currently Kyoto Kogakuin High School) and Kyoto Sanyo University. He then joined Canon (currently Yokohama) and is currently affiliated with the company. He won his first cap for the Japanese national team in 2008.

◆ “Pretty Baby” was greeted with a hug

September 17, 2011. The Japanese national team, who are participating in the World Cup in New Zealand, received a warm welcome from the locals in Kerikeri, a town in the northern part of the country where they were visiting for practice. Among the large group of local people, the 166cm-tall man with a shaved head was greeted with a hug from a woman about the size of his own grandmother, who called him “Pretty baby.”

At that time, the young man who looked shy and boyish was Tanaka, then 26 years old.

Despite his cute appearance, he was also called the “Baby Assassin”. He shows off his spirit, and if the opponent doesn’t give him the ball to buy time, he’ll even push him to steal it. “Because I’m small, I came here with a rebellious spirit.” His 75 national team caps, which he accumulated as a SH who is a skilled passer, ranks 7th all-time. He is number one in his position.

◆Hold the ball even when you sleep

He honed his skills at Fushimi Technical High School, which was the model for the TV drama “School Wars.” She is so engrossed in it that she hugs the ball even when she sleeps, and even wakes up before dawn during summer training camp to practice on her own. During his time at Kyoto Sandai, he became dissatisfied with his practice and went into the director’s office alone. All because I wanted to get better at rugby.

One of his most brilliant achievements is becoming the first Japanese player to compete in the world’s top league, Super Rugby (SR).

He joined the Highlanders (New Zealand) in 2012 from a small and weak island nation in the Far East. He made his debut in February 2013. “I want to show the potential of the Japanese people,” he said as he tackled a strong player, but then he was at his mercy with skillful passwork. He steadily built up a track record, contributing to his first championship in 2015.

◆1 draw, 3 losses at the World Cup: “I don’t remember anything”

It was in those 11 years that I decided to venture overseas. Her first World Cup ended in one draw and three losses, and she “doesn’t remember anything.” At the deserted airport on my way home, I sank into despair. After training at SR, they won the 2015 World Cup, defeating South Africa, and reached the top eight for the first time in the 2019 World Cup. Approximately 50,000 people rushed to the parade held in Marunouchi, Tokyo after the Games, and the sight brought her to tears, without worrying about being seen. He had the same boyish look as when he was at Kerikeri.

The number of rugby players known both in name and reality has increased, including Ayumu Goromaru, who gained popularity for his pre-kick pose, and Keita Inagaki, also known as “The Man Who Never Laughs.” However, unlike those who are not inferior to foreigners in terms of physique, Tanaka is small even among Japanese people. Still, he competed with the world and raised the status of Japanese rugby. He provided tangible examples and dreams for the young people who will carry the future.

During his active career, he lived with the belief that “I really hate losing.” He was truly an indomitable person. (Contrast with Takahiro)