Football Legend Kazu, 59, Meets Young Player, 16, at Emperor's Cup
Listen to the story
Kazuyoshi Miura, known as Kazu, is a legendary Japanese footballer who, at 59 years old, is still playing professional football.
Kazu recently took part in a match in the Emperor's Cup, one of Japan's most important football tournaments.
At the same event was 16-year-old Shingu Mitsui, a young player who has been called a rising star. There is a huge 43-year age gap between the two players.
Although a direct match-up between Kazu and Shingu did not happen on the field, the two met and shared a warm embrace after the game.
They also took part in a shirt exchange, a tradition in football where players swap jerseys as a sign of mutual respect.
The match drew an audience of about 7,500 spectators, and it was broadcast live nationwide by NHK, Japan's national broadcaster. This shows Kazu's continuing popularity and influence on the sport, even decades into his career.
Kazu said he was glad they were able to greet each other properly. He reportedly told the younger player about the importance of passion for the game, expressing hope that they could one day stand on the same pitch together as opponents or teammates.
The meeting has been described as a special moment connecting two generations of Japanese football, twenty years after they had last crossed paths, according to reports.
Vocabulary8 words
- Kazu
- the nickname of footballer Kazuyoshi Miura
- Emperor's Cup
- a major yearly football competition in Japan
- 43-year age gap
- a difference of 43 years between two people's ages
- embrace
- a hug
- shirt exchange
- swapping sports shirts after a game as a sign of respect
- NHK
- Japan's main national television broadcaster
- influence
- the power to affect people or events
- passion
- strong love or enthusiasm for something
Quiz
Answer key
1. 43 years 2. They exchanged shirts and hugged 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Kazuyoshi Miura, known as _____, is a legendary Japanese footballer who, at _____ years old, is still playing professional football.
Kazu recently took part in a match in the _____, one of Japan's most important football tournaments.
At the same event was _____-year-old Shingu Mitsui, a young player who has been called a rising star. There is a huge _____-year age gap between the two players.
Although a direct match-up between Kazu and Shingu did not happen on the field, the two met and shared a warm _____ after the game.
They also took part in a _____, a tradition in football where players swap jerseys as a sign of mutual respect.
The match drew an audience of about _____ spectators, and it was broadcast live nationwide by _____, Japan's national broadcaster.
Kazu said he was glad they were able to greet each other properly. He reportedly told the younger player about the importance of _____ for the game.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think Kazu is still admired even at 59 years old?
- What does the shirt exchange tradition mean to you?
- How important is it for older and younger athletes to meet and learn from each other?
- Why might a match featuring a 59-year-old player attract so much media attention?