Captain Tsubasa Creator Takes His Padel Passion to the Asian Games

Yoichi Takahashi is best known for sending footballers across the pages of Captain Tsubasa. At the Asian Games in Nagoya, the Japanese manga artist turned up beside a different court: padel.

The honorary president of the Japan Padel Association visited the Aichi-Nagoya competition and spoke about a sport that now forms part of his own life.

A game discovered in Spain

Takahashi first encountered padel in Spain and now plays in Japan. Its tactical choices and social character appeal to him, bringing a different kind of sporting interaction from the football adventures associated with his work.

His visit added a cultural connection to a tournament usually followed through scores, national teams and the next round of the draw.

Could padel reach the page?

Takahashi expressed interest in making a padel manga. He continues to work on Captain Tsubasa, however, and did not announce a new series or a release date.

For now, the connection is on court: one of Japan’s familiar sporting storytellers is also a player and supporter, watching padel make its Asian Games debut.