When the Brave Blossoms, Japan's national rugby team, paraded through the Marunouchi district of Tokyo last December, one player couldn't stop crying. Fumiaki Tanaka was emotional as he watched fans filling the streets to cheer on the team after a successful 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
"I can't thank them enough," Tanaka said during a recent interview. "When we returned from the 2011 Rugby World Cup [held in New Zealand], there were only a handful of people who greeted us."
About 50,000 people, according to the organizer, attended the national team parade to celebrate the team's run to the last eight of the 2019 RWC, Japan's best showing in the international rugby tournament.
The diminutive Tanaka, all 166 centimeters and 73 kilograms of him, has been making his living on the world stage as a scrum half. He made his debut for the national team in 2008 and has participated in three consecutive Rugby World Cups with 75 caps.
Tanaka knows about the tough time Japan has had against the top sides in world rugby, so the progress made during the last World Cup was very emotional for him.
"We could give back to the fans," said the 35-year-old from Kyoto.
RWC success made for an unprecedented turnout in the domestic Top League, which started its season in January.
"It was thrilling," Tanaka said when he recalled playing for the Canon Eagles in a nearly packed stadium.
However, the spread of infections with the novel coronavirus forced the league to suspend its season after the sixth round of matches. Japan's national championship was also canceled.
For days afterward, Tanaka practiced on his own at home and elsewhere.
While he was unable to practice normally, Tanaka took to social media to demonstrate his technique of spinning a rugby ball on his index finger. He also invited people to "send videos if you can do it." Tanaka called it the Fumi Challenge.
As children had more time at home, he wanted to let them know the fun and importance of giving things a try to the best of their ability. He received emails of gratitude from parents of the children who posted videos attempting the Fumi Challenge.
"I think this has brought a warm feeling to them," he said with a smile.
Tanaka then gave the children a second challenge: Draw portraits or make other artwork of the Japan national team members. He received about 230 works of art.
For the third challenge, he asked children for ideas on what they wanted to do together after the novel coronavirus infections are contained.
"I want to meet the children in person when they know me as 'Tanaka, Japan national rugby team member' so that I can give them dreams and hopes," he said, showing his keenness to promote the sport. "I want to go to areas not visited by Top League players."
When asked about the future of Japan's rugby, his expression tightened.
"We need to play more powerful teams and achieve better results," the veteran said. "We need to have even more grueling practices than before, and I want to work even harder as a member of the national team."
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