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Show f ,, ... ... ......... , ......... . j, , ,,... .., . . r. . i -C: -J;" fete-" -v- V WE'RE ALL FRIENDS Wrestlers, coaches and students gained much from cuitural exchange wrestling event. Cultural Exchange Leads to Better Feelings by Jack Hill 1400 wrestling lans were on hand Wednesday night for the opening ceremonies. As bpth wrestling squads stood at 'attention, 'at-tention, each nations flag was presented, spotlighted and the National Anthem played. Jim Starr, talented sports announcer at the high school, who had done a' great job conducting the assembly, announced each wrestler and coach. With the traditional handshake, gifts were again exchanged. PGHS Pep Club marched in a special "halftime" performance per-formance and the ten wrestlers took the mike and sang a Japanese folk song. Team Captain Akira Suzuki, led the group in the audience participation par-ticipation number, (see photo). The five concluding freestyle wrestling matches were held and again the visitors won all five. To conclude the evening, pictures, autographs and handshakes were exchanged in abundance. A delicious turkey meal was served to the wrestlers and host families, courtesy of Kent Prestwich and family to cap the nights activities. Last weeks experience with the touring Japanese National Championship Wrestling team left everyone with a good feeling and a better understanding un-derstanding of the citizens of another country. For two days and nights, 13 local families hosted the ten wrestlers and three coaches in their homes. Since only one visitor could speak English the communication problem presented many humorous "Charade" games as visitors and hosts talked with each other. Tuesday, Jan. 21 we picked up the Japanese at Cottonwood High and headed for Pleasant Grove. As we drove into Utah Valley, Coach Watanabe asked the name of "mountain"? "Timpanogos" I answered. "How high?" and I replied "12,000 ft." Watanbe gestured and I understood that he did not , know "feet. Being familiar with feet and meters from track and field I said "3,700 meters." "Oh yes, very beautiful. Fujiyama 3,700 meters, very beautiful also," said the smiling Japanese coach. From then on we each were more at ease, while communicating com-municating became less of a problem. Several of the host families were waiting when we drove up in front of the high school. Introductions were made, luggage distributed and then it was off to BYU. At the 'Y" Dr. and Mrs. Humphries treated the group to a meal Unlike U.S. high school wrestlers, the Japanese ate like a "work gang," some having 2 and even 3 main courses plus pie ice cream and milk A campus tour, conducted by two Japanese speaking students ended at the fieldhouse. There a workout with the 'Y" wrestling team was preceded by an entertaining en-tertaining warmup session. Hand springs, back flips, "the splits" plus other gymnastic gym-nastic moves demonstrated the flexibility of each individual wiestler. Much of the respect for authority that the Japanese culture is noted for was evident during the workout. ' Senior Coach Seciichi Ishiguro, presided with No. 2 coach Kazuhiro Takesue standing on opposite sides of the mat. Yoshiharo Watanabe, the workout coach, dressed down in wrestling gear and relayed instructions tothe team captain, who in turn directed the team. Formal bows were exchanged ex-changed at the sessions end and after a shower the group traveled to Salt Lake City as guests of the Golden Eagle Hockey Club. During the hockey game, the Japanese were introduced and received a standing ovation. The consumption of "hot dogs and pop" left little doubt as to how much the visitors enjoyed the evening. Wednesday morning in a high school assembly, gifts were 1 presented to the group by Mayor Haynie in behalf of the city. Studentbody officers presented a marvelous 3-ft. model of a Japanese sailing ship with the inscription Pleasant Grove Vikings 1975. The Pep Club presented each wrestler with a miniature Viking. In a question-answer session the Japanese further won the hearts of the students with their smiling candor. "Whats your favorite American food" was relayed by Interpreter Mike Christensen. "Beefsteak" was the quick answer. ' "Pretty girls" was the answer an-swer to "what do you like best about America." Three wrestlers had acquired large Cowboy hats in their month stay in Utah and it was obvious that these were prized possessions. ' .1 ' . ' '" I' '".'i .- . , w : lei . i k . . " . . . MUSIC ANYONE Akira Suziki leads team and audience in Japanese Folk Song. Music was good, but the words seemed to elude most of the audinece at PGHS. k v. .... t ' ' " HOST ON TOP Scott Roudabush, one of three wrestiers who participated in the Japanese exchange wrestling, enjoys rare moment of being on top of his house guest |
