JAPAN: Children battle out their Rhino Beetles at the latest beetle wrestling finals

Record ID: 462058

  • Title: JAPAN: Children battle out their Rhino Beetles at the latest beetle wrestling finals
  • Date: 3rd August 2008
  • Summary: BOYS ENGAGING IN THE MATCH MOTHER TAKING PICTURES MIKI KOBAYASHI, 12 YEAR-OLD PARTICIPANT, WINNING THE FINALS
  • Embargoed: 18th August 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Japan
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVA4H9NZ387VSA0VPS5WIWMOF78C
  • Story Text: Half-way through their summer vacation on Friday (Aug 1), Japanese kids gathered in Tokyo to battle out their pet Rhino Beetles at the latest beetle wrestling finals.
    In the sweltering heat of Japanese summer, specially set up miniature wrestling ring was literally heated up with excited battlers trying to win the champion belt.

    "I was super surprised! It was really fun!" 12-year-old Miki Kobayashi, who ended up winning the finals after registering last minute, told Reuters.
    Some brought their ace Rhino Beetles from home, while many others tried out their new little wrestlers given out free by the event organizer.

    "I won because my rhino beetle worked so hard for me," said 12-year-old Kento Watanabe, who won 3rd place with his buddy wrestler from home.
    6-year-old Yusuke Mori, who came in 2nd, says he is satisfied with his new rhino beetle.

    "Mine has a strong shield so I won."
    Each player must place their rhino beetles within the mini ring, which is about 50 centimeters (about 20 inches) long and 50 centimeters wide.
    Winner is announced when one beetle is thrown out or walks out of the ring by itself. Some matches lasted longer than 5 minutes.

    "Kids nowadays live in a digital world and they only play video games. But Rhino Beetles are so analog, it just won't go the kids' way,"
    Hiroshi Kubo, who organized the Rhino Beetle wrestling match, told Reuters.
    "So I'm glad the kids got to experience that and really enjoy," he added.
    The organizer says a bigger and more intense Rhino Beetle battle match will be held in Tokyo on Aug. 24.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Footage contains identifiable children: users must ensure that they comply with local laws and regulations governing the publishing of this material.
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