Hiroshi was a star of the Japan rollergames team years ago.

But he has devoted himself to Roller Derby. He created a wild version (flying skaters, leg whips) and continued to skate at the Tokyo Dome after other versions disappeared.

He has helped the Modern Roller Derby women, and he was largely responsible for the men’s team which arrived short-handed and with little knowledge of the MRDA game to the World Cup, and their skill and persistence made them the crowd favorite.

He has worked hard to bring roller skating to the forefront in Japan, heading a youth sports day during the recent Tokyo Marathon and receiving special recognition from the Japanese government.

And he has big plans for Roller Derby in Japan in the future.

He has been in the US for the past few weeks, visiting teams and skaters in New York, Chicago, Vegas and others, and this weekend is at Battle of the Bank in San Diego. He was hosted in Los Angeles by Demolicous LADD and the people at the Doll Factory.

Not sure where else he is headed, but I know I will see my friend again in Northern California in mid July, and I hope he comes to Rollercon.

I and others believe he belongs in the National Roller Derby Hall of Fame.

He is a wonderful man, his posts are fun, and often written in Japanese with translation available.

So please ask him to be your facebook friend now and comment to him. He is a treasure of the skating game.