After introducing themselves, both players gave a demonstration. On the way to the school and in the principal's office, Koizumi thought about the content of the demonstration. In addition to juggling, they exchanged passes with the children, but what excited them the most was the throw-in pass exchange. The children were delighted as the players effortlessly threw passes from one end of the gym to the other, increasing the distance.
Player Koizumi showing off a high-point header
After the demonstration, they enjoyed a game of "rock-paper-scissors train" with all the students. This is a game where people who lose rock-paper-scissors follow behind the winner, forming a line. The excitement was so great that the starting signal was drowned out, and the children surrounded the players, waiting for their turn to play rock-paper-scissors. The circle of children grew larger and larger, and at times, the players were lost in the crowd due to the sheer number of people. Both players seemed to enjoy interacting with the children and playing the game.
After the rock-paper-scissors train, it was time for a Q&A session with the players from the children. To the question, "What do you do on your days off?", Koizumi replied, "I like to go outside, so I go to many different places." Next, Takasaki, who was pondering an answer to the question, "Who is your favorite player?", asked the children a question in return. The children also thought for a moment, but when he advised them, "My name is fine (laughs)," they replied, "Hiroyuki Takasaki!" Hearing that answer, Takasaki smiled and said, "Well done!"
Furthermore, to the question, "I heard that Takasaki played against Onohara Elementary School when he was an elementary school student. Is that true?", he replied, "I'm from the Western Ibaraki region of the same Ibaraki Prefecture, and when I participated in the Nakamura Cup, I played against Onohara Elementary School in the final match held at the former Sumikin (Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal) grounds. We won and became champions then." He thus shared an unexpected connection with Onohara Elementary School.
After taking a commemorative photo with the children, both players concluded by saying, "We received a lot of power from all of you today. Please continue to support Antlers!" and left the gymnasium.
