This would be even more impressive if it wasn't such a wild pitch.
This would be even more impressive if it wasn't such a wild pitch.
Gene Ching
Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
Author of Shaolin Trips
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cute outfit.
She came by last week. Note how many guys piled in the facebook photo.
Gene Ching
Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
Author of Shaolin Trips
Support our forum by getting your gear at MartialArtSmart
Needs to work on her chi ball throwing...
"The true meaning of a given movement in a form is not its application, but rather the unlimited potential of the mind to provide muscular and skeletal support for that movement." Gregory Fong
Search our media forum for more on Takeda Rina. We've covered all of the films mentioned in the article below. There are vids if you follow the link.
Martial artist breaks 10 concrete blocks with her head before throwing first pitch in Japan
By David Brown
July 28, 2014 6:17 PM
Big League Stew
The entire ceremonial first pitch "thing" has been over in North America for a long time, perhaps right after President Taft first made it popular 100 years ago. But in Japan, they've got ideas to make it better.
Take the actions of martial artist Rina Takeda, whom The Big Lead describes as the "23-year-old star of such films as 'High Kick Girl!,' 'Karate Girl' and 'Dead Sushi.' " She threw out the first pitch \before the "Sonny" Chiba Lotte Marines and Seibu Lions played Sunday, and her pitch was pretty good:
View gallery
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Interesting for all of the mascot umpires behind home plate, and for her Dice-K-like hesitation before delivering. She almost made it 60 feet, 6 inches, too. Pretty good for someone with, presumably, not much overhand pitching experience. Throws across her body too much; Tommy John risk. Anyway. THAT's not the best part of her pregame presentation. As the video at the top also shows, it was this:
She rubs her head, too, probably because that hurt a lot. The part where the camera pulls in for a close up, an homage to Asian martial arts cinema — awesome touch. If only the major leagues put on a show like this, the first pitch might become relevant again.
Rina Takeda, ladies and gentlemen!
Gene Ching
Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
Author of Shaolin Trips
Support our forum by getting your gear at MartialArtSmart
Gene Ching
Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
Author of Shaolin Trips
Support our forum by getting your gear at MartialArtSmart
If you contact May for this, tell 'em Gene sent ya.The Tiger Claw Foundation is supporting Tai Chi Wonder Mandy Fan – FREE DEMO & WORKSHOP on February 12, 2015 from 9:30-10:30 AM at Ohlone College Newark Center, 39399 Cherry Street, Newark, CA 94560. Contact May Chen at maychen@ohlone.edu for more information.
In cooperation with Ohlone.edu and KungFuMagazine.com.
Gene Ching
Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
Author of Shaolin Trips
Support our forum by getting your gear at MartialArtSmart
Same rule as above applies if you go.The Tiger Claw Foundation is supporting Workshop with Tai Chi Wonder Mandy Fan on February 17, 2015 from 1:00-4:00 PM at O-mei Academy, 10070 Imperial Ave., Cupertino, CA 95014. Contact O-mei Academy at (408) 252-3988 or omeiacademy@gmail.com for more information.
In cooperation with OmeiAcademy.com and KungFuMagazine.com.
Gene Ching
Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
Author of Shaolin Trips
Support our forum by getting your gear at MartialArtSmart
Formally Tai Chi & Baseball, now Tai Chi Wonder Mandy Fan Manyun
Gene Ching
Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
Author of Shaolin Trips
Support our forum by getting your gear at MartialArtSmart