Saskatoon was pleased to host Team Canada for a weekend of intensive training in September 1999. In addition to getting a chance to watch the team train, we also had several opportunities for keiko with the team members and two evenings of socializing. Many thanks to the CKF, especially coach Ray Murao and president Roy Asa, for choosing Saskatoon as the site for the gassuku. Here’s a photo of Team Canada taken at the gasshuku.
Team Canada 2000, photographed at the Saskatoon gasshuku, September 1999.
L-R Back row: men’s team:
Philip Nishikihama, Dean Ara, Shigemitsu Kamata, Daisoku Taguchi, Matthew Raymond, Bryan Asa (captain), Taro Ariga, Motoki Asaoka, Suguru Asaoka, Eddy Yamashita
L-R Middle row: instructors
Richard Tizzard (manager), Ken Miyaoka (gasshuku host), Roy Asa (CKF president), Ray Murao (men’s coach), Mark Noda (women’s coach)
L-R Front row: women’s team
Hana Ariga, Chiharu Hao, Wendy Nakano (captain), Misato Akitaya, Corie Namba, Maya Taguchi, Missing: Mako Hayashi