Rugby Representative Keita Inagaki Speaks at Awards Ceremony: “Newlywed Life and Challenges Abroad
The “man who never smiles” seemed to have a faint smile on his face.
On Sunday, May 29, the final of “League One,” a new rugby competition that started this season, was held at the National Stadium in Tokyo, and Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights, the team of Keita Inagaki, 32, a PR representative of Japan, beat Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath 18-12 to become the first champion. Inagaki played the full 80 minutes in a highly expendable position, but due to injury, he put his body on the line and contributed greatly to the team’s title win.
After the victory, Inagaki, wearing a commemorative T-shirt, greeted his teammates in the back stand. The players’ families were there, and of course Inagaki’s new wife, Takako Arai, 31, a world-renowned model who had just gotten married on January 26. Takako was said to be wearing a Wild Knights blue baseball shirt in support of the team.
Inagaki, who played in 15 of the 16 games, was again selected as one of the “Best 15” this season, chosen by the coach, captain, media, and fans. It is the only time he has won the award in eight consecutive seasons since his rookie season. At the annual “League One Awards” ceremony held the day after the final, Inagaki, his forehead red, said, “I am happy to win an individual title even though it is a team sport. I want to work even harder in training after taking this award.
The female presenter then asked, “You got married during the season. How have your feelings changed? I often talk with my wife about how we should support each other when we can afford to support each other after we have done our best to take care of each other. I think it would be a waste to keep supporting one without doing what one of us wants to do. In talking about doing what we both want to do, my wife has given me a lot of help and support in her spare time. I would like to thank my new family and my wife.
