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About The Asian reporter. (Portland, Or.) 1991-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 17, 2014)
ASIA / PACIFIC February 17, 2014 THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 3 Teenage snowboarder goes big in Sochi to capture silver medal WINTRY WEATHER. Railway station workers move snow from the street in Yokohama, Japan in early February. The Tokyo area was hit by a rare heavy snowfall this month, stalling trains, grounding flights, and blanketing roads and skyscrapers with snow. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued its first heavy snowfall warning for central Tokyo in 13 years. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) Tokyo hit by rare heavy snowfall TOKYO (AP) — The Tokyo area was hit by a rare heavy snowfall early this month, stalling trains, grounding flights, and blanketing roads and skyscrapers with snow. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued its first heavy snowfall warning for central Tokyo in 13 years, cautioning residents about more snow and rain that would gradually clear. Several universities in Tokyo postponed the start of entrance exams because of delays in metropolitan trains and subways, known for almost always being on time. Major carriers Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways suspended domestic flights from Tokyo’s Haneda airport. Some bullet trains were delayed and parts of expressways were closed. Japanese media said dozens of injuries were reported from people slipping and falling, or crashing their cars. New Owners KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia (AP) — For a nation that’s never won a medal in snowboarding, Japan sure looked awfully strong. Teenager Ayumu Hirano captured silver and his teammate, Taku Hiraoka, took bronze in the men’s Olympic halfpipe final at the Sochi Games. But no one could touch Iouri Podladtchikov, the Swiss rider who was born in Russia and goes by the nickname “I-Pod.” He threw down his new trick, called the “Yolo,” to flip and spin his way to gold, ending the reign of American Shaun White. White and I-Pod were the two big stars coming in. But no one knew all that much about Hirano and Hiraoka. Now maybe that will change. This is especially true for Hirano, who had all the talent to go with the big tricks, but he’s been banged up this season. He even pulled out of the recent Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado because of a foot injury. “I decided to win by jumping really high and that’s a good thing,” Hirano said. He’s only 15, too, which means he will be challenging White for years to come. White is well aware of that, too. “This is an amazing start and I wish him the best of luck in his career,” White says. “He’s 15!” Actually, as someone pointed out, he’s 15 years and 74 days. “Oh man, okay, he’s going to retire soon,” White joked. The performances of Hirano and Hiraoka could put Japanese snowboarding on the map, or so Hiraoka hopes. “I’d like to see snowboarding develop more in Japan,” he said. As for Hiraoka’s bronze medal, it caught even him by surprise. “Surprised very much,” he said. TALENTED TEEN. Japan’s Ayumu Hirano competes in the men’s snowboard halfpipe final at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia. Fifteen-year-old Hirano won the silver medal. His team- mate, Taku Hiraoka, took home the bronze. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) 2UHJRQ,PPLJUDWLRQ$WWRUQH\ State Farm ® Providing Insurance and Financial Services -LPP\1DPJ\DO Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710 Newly remodeled All new equipment. Belmont Eco Laundry has large capacity washers and dryers, perfect for those comforters, sleeping bags, big family loads, work clothes, and more! You’ll get your laundry done in record time, leaving you time to spend with family and friends. Visit us at Belmontecolaundry.com for more details. 4725 SE Belmont St. Liane Nishimura Ins. Agency Inc. Liane B. 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