OSAKA — Bowling is common amongst seniors in Japan, and beginner bowlers, a few of whom are over 90 years outdated, are competing towards one another at alleys on this west Japan metropolis. Though the variety of bowling alleys is falling, aged bowlers are growing, and it appears that evidently the key to good well being could be discovered on the lanes.
Based on the fiscal 2022 “Japan Oldest Bowlers’ Rating” launched by the Bowling Proprietors’ Affiliation of Japan, there have been 264 males, 229 girls, and 69 {couples} labeled within the highest “yokozuna” rank. The very best rank applies to males aged 90 years or over, girls aged 88 years or older, and {couples} with a mixed age of 170 years or over.
The rating, which started in 1996, is predicated on a survey of males 80 years and older, girls 75 years and older, and {couples} with a mixed age of a minimum of 150 years who take pleasure in bowling as a passion a minimum of as soon as a month. The fiscal 2022 rating was compiled by surveying 454 bowling alleys throughout Japan that had been affiliation members as of Aug. 1.
Based on the affiliation’s tally, there have been a most of about 3,700 bowling alleys nationwide across the decade beginning in 1965, when the sport was booming. That fell under 1,000 in 2008 and continues to say no, however senior bowler figures are growing yearly. Within the fiscal 2012 rating, a complete of three,884 women and men had been listed, whereas on this fiscal yr’s rating, the quantity had greater than doubled to 9,064.
Why is bowling so fascinating for the senior set? A Mainichi Shimbun reporter visited the Bowling Okoku Sport’s Juso department in Osaka’s Yodogawa Ward the place Yukio Goto, 92, the oldest participant in Osaka Prefecture amongst these listed within the rating, is enhancing his expertise. There, a membership of senior bowlers performs as soon as every week. The environment is pleasant, and the elder gamers applaud and rejoice once they get spares or strikes.
Goto says he loves bowling greater than anything, and he simply lifts his 13-pound bowling ball. When going effectively, he scores 170 to 180, and he exhibits no indicators of weak spot.
After retiring from work at age 64, Goto got here throughout an commercial for bowling membership members in a newspaper insert, and he started taking part in as soon as every week as a passion. He initially performed at one other alley, however when it closed three years in the past, he switched to Bowling Okoku. He says, “I attempt to maintain my steadiness on one foot after I throw the ball,” and he additionally does bending workouts within the morning and night, and units apart days to stroll greater than 10,000 steps.
Goto says that bowling’s attraction lies in “the addictive feeling of the pins flattening. It is nice to roll the ball whereas having time with everybody, have lunch collectively, after which go house.”
One other “yokozuna,” Hirokazu Tagishi, 90, began bowling about 30 years in the past. “I have been in a position to proceed bowling at a leisurely tempo as a result of I’ve many companions. I need to maintain bowling so long as I am wholesome,” he says with a smile.
Not solely does it present a possibility for train, however the truth that individuals of all ages can take pleasure in video games with their friends appears to be driving their enthusiasm for bowling.
(Japanese authentic by Chika Yokomi, Osaka Bureau)
