Ueda Yuichi
Assistant Director, Nagano Prefecture Curling Association
The game of curling is played by sliding a stone that has a handle attached to it and shuffling it to the goal with a curling brush. Mr. Ueda, who is a sports instructor first encountered this peculiar game 10 years ago.
"Sports instructors have a mission to explore and spread new sport activities. I was trying to fulfill my duties when I found a book on curling at a convention. I said to myself, `This is it,' especially because the book was translated by an elder graduate of my high school."
About one month later, Mr. Ueda received a phone call from this elder graduate who informed that he was speaking at a seminar. "The timing couldn't have been better. I had a feeling that curling would be a perfect sport for Karuizawa because there is a skating rink here that we could use year round. The seminar confirmed my belief. So I got a couple of people together, and since then have been totally consumed by the sport."
For ten years, Mr. Ueda promoted curling. And when Nagano was chosen to host the 1998 Winter Olympic Games, Mr. Ueda worked full force to get curling admitted as an official Olympic sport. To his avail, the Nagano Winter Games became the first Olympics where curling was to be an official sport.
"I am elated. I hope that this would help popularize the sport." For those who think the rules of curling is a bit complicated, "Just watch whether the stone is delivered as directed by the skip who gives the commands. You will know the strength of the team by watching their accuracy in shuffling the stones to the exact goal."
Mr. Ueda's real job is to manage Maruhon, a diner located by Karuizawa station. The restaurant has been passed on three generations. "Please stop by. Let's talk about curling and Nagano Olympics."
(Maruhon / 30 seconds from Karuizawa station. 4-5 Karuizawa Higashi,
Karuizawa-machi / 0267-42-2061)
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