Japanese Gain Hard-Earned Victory in World Cup Final

Japanese Captain Sawa celebrating after equalizing against the US

Congratulations to the Japanese National Team for their stunning victory today over traditional soccer powerhouse United States. During the 2011 Women's World Cup held this month in Germany, underdog Japan continuously defied odds, overcoming physical and technical disadvantages to win it all while competing against the best in the world. Just four months after a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that killed 25,000 of their friends, family, and compatriots, and still coping with the effects of nuclear crisis, the Japanese women's soccer team emerged victorious with age-defying Homare Sawa at the helm.


International sporting tournaments have been utilized since ancient times to bring communities together for competition and celebration. Intentionally or not, cups, meets, and games have become an important catalyst for improved international and interethnic relations. In playing sports together, different groups that might normally have little to no access to each other are flung onto a pitch and cheered on to battle it out in a healthy and exciting atmosphere. Especially since the invention of radio and television, global sportscasting has literally brought whole cultures into living rooms and bars across the world.


Think about it. What did you learn from your soccer team when you were little? You learned how to share. You learned how to play by the rules. You learned how to be fair, and you saw your own team penalized when you weren't. You learned that by helping another person on your team succeed, your whole team was victorious. You grew with the other kids, you fought with them, you gained skills with them, you celebrated with them, and sometimes you cried with them. But at the end of the season, you know you forged a bond that isn't easily replicated. You forged a bond of trust that was only achieved through pushing yourselves collectively further than you knew you could. 


These lessons play out several times a year on a global stage in different sporting events and tournaments. As communications becomes faster and more accessible, more fans will be able to share in the drama, delight, and agony that international sports have to offer. For its part, the World Cup has achieved great feats in breaking down barriers between races, and now sexes. Simple traditions, such as exchanging small gifts before the match or jerseys after the match, and holding local children's hands while the team is being introduced, FIFA its World Cup tournament have brought the world closer to institutionalizing acceptance and appreciation of talent, no matter the player. 

A quiet and unassuming team, the Japanese shocked the world with surprising resilience and passion. Through confidence and unique style of play, the Japanese kept the ball and withstood tremendous pressure from #1 ranked United States, while the world was critiquing each move. In this tournament, Japan came back from behind numerous times, each game tenaciously equalizing the scoreboard. With class and talent, Japan showed a higher level of play that did not capitalize on physical force, but instead on skill and strategy. Although their future at home remains unclear, Japan returns after this achievement with their heads held high, knowing that they have brought their country a semblance of a smile. That, in their words, is "the greatest victory".




Thanks to activist Jeff C. for his technical editing and continuous inspiration.