Three athletes with deep ties to Yokkaichi achieved a sweep of junior, high school, and collegiate national tennis titles this summer, prompting an official congratulatory visit with Mayor Tomohiro Mori on September 24.
While individual national champions have emerged from the city before, municipal officials confirmed that capturing titles across the middle school, high school, and university brackets within the same competitive window marks a first for Yokkaichi.
A Historic Triple Crown Across Three Age Divisions
The victories span three distinct national showcases held during August. Suzuki secured the boys’ singles title at the 53rd National Junior High School Tennis Championships as a third-year student, successfully defending his seeding through a demanding draw. Described by local organizers as a dedicated competitor, Suzuki previously utilized hotel tennis facilities late into the evening during a sports exchange program in Tianjin, China, insisting he needed extra practice.
In the high school division, Ono claimed the singles crown at the 116th National High School Tennis Championships during his third year at Yokkaichi Technical High School. Originally from Aichi Prefecture, Ono credited his developmental growth to the rigorous training environment at Yokkaichi Technical. Tennis club head coach Masato Mashima noted that Ono persevered through physical ailments to move through the draw successfully, calling the championship a valuable learning experience for both player and staff.
At the collegiate level, Sanada won the men's doubles tournament at the 63rd All Japan Inter-Collegiate Indoor Tennis Championships.
“I have continued playing tennis in Yokkaichi for 12 years,” Sanada said during the mayoral reception, reflecting on a journey where high school results occasionally fell short of his ambitions before breakthrough success arrived in university.
Mayor Mori praised the trio during the gathering, remarking that the scale of their collective achievements warranted individual receptions. Addressing Sanada specifically, the mayor welcomed him back with a nod to his homecoming victory.
Infrastructure and Community Support Fuel Local Talent
Officials attribute the unprecedented triple triumph to a combination of disciplined athlete preparation and strong local infrastructure. Takahiko Mase, chairman of the Yokkaichi City Sports Association, pointed to the municipal Yokkaichi Tennis Center—a premier facility featuring 16 hard courts capable of hosting major tournaments—as a vital training ground that allows young competitors to accumulate high-level match experience.
The delegation accompanying the athletes to city hall included Sports Association Chairman Mase, Executive Director Yoshifumi Usami, Mie Green Tennis Club Manager Toshitaka Goto, and Yokkaichi Technical High School coach Mashima.
Keep reading
