All Japan Junior High School Sports Festival (Football) the 45th All Japan Junior High School Football championship was held on Mon. 18 Aug to Fri. 22 Aug at Haruno Sogoundo Koen, Nankokushi Gookayama Bunkanomori Sports Hiroba, Konanshi Yaichi Fureaihiroba Soccerjo in Kochi prefecture. Aomori Yamada Junior High School, having showed overwhelming performance from the first match, won the championship for second time after two years.

It was the championship affected by the weather unlike previous years, e.g. the game was suspended due to lightning occurred during first round game and the final match. The starting time of final was delayed by three hours and 15 minutes due to lightning and pouring rain, suspended in the second half for lightning and it was 16:00 when the game ended. The final was close match as Ueda, head coach of Aomori Yamada Junior High School, said “This is first time for us to play for such a long time. Frankly speaking, it was not easy to keep the concentration of players mentally. I am really pleased to overcome this difficult situation and won the championship. I believe the players became much stronger mentally more than ever.”

Holding training in limited time of club activities and supported by numbers of family, friends and colleagues, the games gave fresh surprise and encouragement to spectators. Playing with real passion and fair-play spirit, the event was unforgettable championship for each one of players.

Champion: Aomori Yamada Junior High School (Aomori)
Runner up: Kagoshima Ikueikan Junior High School (Kagoshima)
3rd place: Seiryo Junior High School (Ishikawa)
Toin Gakuen Junior High School (Kanagawa)
Fair play award: Kagoshima Ikueikan Junior High School (Kagoshima)