Sports Day encourages fitness, fun

The 374th Maintenance Group participates in a tug-o-war competition during the Mizuho Sports Day Oct. 12, 2014. The 25-man team took first place in Mizuho. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Desiree Economides/Released)

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Sports Day encourages fitness, fun

Children from the 374th Maintenance Group and the city of Mizuho participate in the Tama Ire, or modified basketball toss, during the Mizuho Sports Day on Oct. 12, 2014. The goal of the event is to, as a team, throw balls into the basket in a specific time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Desiree Economides/Released)

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Sports Day encourages fitness, fun

Col. Steven James, 374th Maintenance Group commander, gives his remarks during the opening ceremony of the Mizuho Sports Day, Oct. 12, 2014, in Mizuho, Japan. The annual event brings together the residents of Mizuho to promote a healthy lifestyle and promotes friendly competition amongst neighbors through sports. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Desiree Economides/Released)

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Sports Day encourages fitness, fun

Teams gather during the opening ceremony for Mizuho Sports Day Oct. 12, 2014, in Mizuho, Japan. The 374th Maintenance Group participated in the annual event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Desiree Economides/Released)

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Sports Day encourages fitness, fun

Flag holders from each team gather for a ceremony prior to the start of the sports day events in Mizuho, Japan, Oct. 12, 2014. The 374th Maintenance Group participated in the annual event as guests of the Mizuho Friendship Club. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Desiree Economides/Released)

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Sports Day encourages fitness, fun

Leahnae Bagley passes the baton to her dad, Tech. Sgt. Cameron Bagley, 374th Maintenance Group, during the Oyako Relay on Oct. 12, 2014, at the Mizuho Sports Day. Children and their parents teamed-up for the relay race for prizes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Desiree Economides/Released)

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Sports Day encourages fitness, fun

Olivia Phillips passes a hula-hoop onto Airman 1st Class Garvin Ming, 374th Maintenance Group, during the 2020 Minna No Wa event at the Mizuho Sports Day, Oct. 12, 2014, in Mizuho, Japan. The race required 10 men and 10 women to pass a hula-hoop between each other while connected together. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Desiree Economides/Released)

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Sports Day encourages fitness, fun

Lashanna Larkins, Leah Kuziomko and Danelle Arturet, spouses of Airmen assigned to the 374th Maintenance Group, participate in the Mukade Ninin Sankyaku relay on Oct. 12, 2014, during the Mizuho Sports Day in Mizuho, Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Desiree Economides/Released)

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Sports Day encourages fitness, fun

Participants start the 1-km race during the Mizuho Sports Day, Oct. 12, 2014. Three separate 1-km races took place for men, women and children. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Desiree Economides/Released)

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Sports Day encourages fitness, fun

Published Oct. 17, 2014
By Senior Airman Desiree Economides
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

MIZUHO, Japan -- Sports day began in October 1964 on the same day as the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympic Games. In 1966, the Government of Japan made it an official holiday. The purpose of Sports Day is to promote healthy lifestyles and friendly competition amongst neighbors through various sports competitions.