We knew we were in for something special the minute we rolled off the jetway into the airport terminal in Tokyo. There awaiting our arrival after a 10 ½ hour flight from Los Angles, was an entire greeting party including the Japanese Quad Rugby Federation president, volunteers to assist with our bags, and a bus with lift waiting to take us to our motel. You see, the Japanese heard that quad rugby is a medal sport at the 2000 Paralympics and that they had some serious catching up to do.

Used to traveling across the United States to compete against the top quad rugby talent in the world in the USQRA, members of the two time defending National Champion Sharp Shadow team was about to embark on new turf. Dan Guillou, Steve Kaliszewski, Dan McCauley, Rick Draney, Troy McGuirk, and Shadow coach Reggie Richner were invited to Japan to do instructional clinics for players, coaches and perspective refs and classifiers. The trip was arranged by Mark Yamazaki of Access International and Kathryn McDougal of Quickie/Shadow Products. The group was to visit 3 cities-Yokohama, Nagai and Osaka.

Not knowing the experience level of any of the groups, we were mildly surprised at the amount of players that showed up the first day in quad rugby wheelchairs. Their questions about the sport pertained mainly to classification and interpretations of the rules, e.g. spinning, charging, etc. Though some clinic participants had decent wheelchair skills, all were lacking in offensive and defensive strategies. This first clinic in Yokohama set the precedent for those which followed. All were meticulously organized. Meals delivered to gym sites (by the way, have you enter seen a quad eat with chopsticks???) There were always plenty of willing volunteers and interpreters to assist. The clinic ended on the second day with a scrimmage between clinic attendees to show of their new found talent. (due to a questionable classification, my team lost a 1 point squeaker. As we loaded our personal tour bus at the clinics end, all of our Japanese friends lined the walkway and slapped us "high fives". It was an emotional departure.

Next, it was off to Yokohama Sports Center where the rugby demonstration would be Sharp Shadow vs. the Japanese National Team in front or hundreds or spectators. Just before tip-off of the quad basketball national championship game. That's right - quad basketball! For fifteen years the Japanese quadriplegics have been participating in an adapted form of basketball, utilizing a little smaller ball and two additional baskets just over 3 feet high placed at each free throw line on a regulation court. The classification system is similar to rugby. Classes 0.5 - 1.5 shoot at the lower baskets and Classes 2.0 and higher shoot at the regulation 10 foot baskets. The players are not allowed to strap their waist or torso and must dribble the ball for every 2 pushes of the wheel. Also, THERE IS NO CONTACT !! For these reasons the game lacks excitement, except for isolated instances throughout the game. Still, there are over 40 teams in Japan, more that 400 athletes and this was their National Championships.

Many of the quad basketball players donned Japanese National jerseys readying for the anticipated scrimmage. The crowd fil1ed the gym and one could hear murmurs even dung Shadow's pre-game warm-ups. Then. it began - tip to Shadow and a quick goal. Inbound to Japan-solid hit (huge reaction from crowd), Turnover and another Shadow goal. It was obvious to all who watched that there was a strict learning curve being displayed on the court. Sharp Shadow played half-court and encouraged Japanese players. The end result - another successful clinic, and another entourage awaiting us outside as we headed to the bus.

Next was a flight to Osaka and the biggest of all attended clinics yet. A two day affair at the beautiful disabled sports facility in the center of several new stadiums that have been constructed so Japan can lure Olympic officials to host in Osaka in 2008. It was here that the American visitors got to experience real Japanese culture. We were taken to a sushi bar where "The Master" would net a live fish from an aquarium behind him, cut it up and serve it to you with the fish still gulping for air! It was also at this same time we we're introduced to saki.

At the end of the Osaka clinic, there was some time spent with members of the Japanese team which recently went to Australia for their first ever international competition. They are now scheduled to attend the Best of the West Tourney in San Diego in October. Their goal is to qualify a team for the Paralympics in Sydney In 2000.

Fortunately, the Shadow entourage had time to sightsee before returning portside. Although we traveled all over Japan and saw the high-tech cities of Osaka, Tokyo and Yokohama, we were also fortunate enough to experience traditional Japan in the Cities of Nara and Kyoto. With all the motel changes, airport transfers, bus rides, etc. the one constant in this trip was the staff from Access International. They provided interpreters, transportation, coordinated our travel plans and were with us 24 hours a day - JUST IN CASE!

We left Japan knowing we helped spread the word and increase the level of play of quad rugby. Moreover, though, we left there with many new friends and knowing we represented ourselves well as ambassadors from The U. S .

Footnote: The Japanese team that competed in the Australian Championships in July came home with two wins. Congratulations and welcome to the most exciting sport on wheels!

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