Batutists from Japan and their coaches met with the leadership of the Vitebsk region
Cooperation between trampolinists from the Land of the Rising Sun and Belarus began several years ago. During preparations for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, the Belarusian national trampoline team visited the city of Maebashi in Gunma Prefecture. There, they found suitable sports infrastructure that allowed them not only to acclimatize and adjust to the time zone of the Olympic host country but also to hone their skills.
Representatives of the local city hall and gymnastics association, coaches, and young athletes arrived in Vitebsk.
— We are pleased that we have established friendly relations with the Belarusian national trampoline team, the core of which consists of athletes from Vitebsk. The Vitebsk school is one of the best in this sport worldwide, a forge of champions, including Olympic champions. It is a great honor for us to see the conditions in which future stars are nurtured and to train under the guidance of top-level coaches," said Yuki Hoshino, chief specialist of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of the city hall. "I hope the interaction between Vitebsk region and Gunma will continue and will not be limited to sports. There are other common interests, such as agriculture, economy, and culture.
A meeting was held between the Japanese delegation and the regional leadership.
— Japan is a country far from us, but thanks to modern means of communication, we are aware of your achievements in high technologies, medicine, and a healthy lifestyle. This is an example to follow. However, you can also learn a lot from us, — noted the chairman of the regional trampoline federation, head of the Vitebsk region's deputy corps, Vladimir Terentyev. — Vitebsk coaches of world-famous trampolinists are ready to share their work experience with you, and the Vitebsk region is ready to surprise you with its beauty and hospitality. We are also open to cooperation in other areas.
One of the most significant events for the Japanese athletes will be a training session under the guidance of the head coach of the Belarusian trampoline team, Olga Vlasova, which will take place in the coming days.