[Japanese Side] Japan's Oldest Basketball Player... Slam Dunk by a 98-Year-Old Grandfather

Mr. Hiromu Arima, Born in 1925
Consistently Participates in Passing and Shooting Practice... Emphasizes the Power of Sports

"One more time, give me the courage like a gale~"

Recently, there has truly been a basketball boom in South Korea. Slam Dunk was re-released in theaters, and in Kamakura, Japan, the setting of Slam Dunk, Korean tourists continued to visit.

As basketball's popularity has been rising day by day, Japanese media recently reported an interview with the oldest basketball player in the country. The protagonist is 98-year-old Arima Hiromu.

Arima Hiromu practicing. (Photo by 47news)

Mr. Arima was born in 1925 in Sapporo City, Hokkaido. Originally frail, an elementary school teacher encouraged him to play basketball, saying "If you play basketball, you will grow taller and become healthier," and he first encountered basketball at age 12. Like the teacher who introduced him to the joy of basketball, he wanted to become a teacher himself, so in 1940 he joined the basketball club at Sapporo Normal School (now Hokkaido University of Education Sapporo High School) and was active there.

Then the Pacific War broke out. At that time, basketball was an American sport, so the perception of basketball in Japan became very negative. Schools gradually began to emphasize judo and kendo, and he temporarily stopped playing basketball. He was drafted as a student soldier but the war ended just before he was sent to the battlefield.

After returning, he was appointed as a physical education teacher. At Asahikawa Commercial High School, where he worked for 16 years, he served as the basketball coach and led the girls' basketball team to the national tournament three times. Even after that, he continued playing basketball and is currently the oldest registered player with the Japan Basketball Association. He always participates in team practices to hone his passing and shooting skills. Although it might be overwhelming at age 98, he says, "Meeting people like this once a week and seeing their healthy appearances gives me more strength."

Arima Hiromu practicing passing. (Photo by 47news)

In a media interview, Mr. Arima emphasized, "The great power of sports is that anyone can be passionate regardless of age or gender." Having stopped playing basketball during the war, he also expressed harsh words about the current wars happening worldwide, such as the war in Ukraine. He said, "While enjoying sports, I once again feel the importance of peace," and added, "There should be no fighting among citizens because of politicians. I sincerely hope for a world without war."

Mr. Arima has no plans to retire yet. He said, "Everyone tells me to aim for 100 years old, so I hope to show up at team practices until I am 100." The power that sports give and his attitude toward enjoying exercise even at an advanced age make us feel a lot.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.