The 35th annual Koide International Snowball Fight took place in Uonuma, Japan, attracting over 120 teams who battled it out in the coldest air this winter to hit the country’s northern snow belt. The event, held in Niigata Prefecture, saw teams of five players competing in two-minute matches on a field the size of a tennis court. Points were awarded for direct hits with a snowball, and the team with the most points emerged victorious.
The competition, known as “Sports Yukigassen” in Japan, is a standardized snowball fighting sport that has gained popularity across the country’s heavy snow areas. The Japan Yukigassen Federation has been campaigning to elevate the sport to the Winter Olympics, showcasing its competitive and high-tension nature.
Players are counted out when hit by a snowball, and a team wins once all opponents are eliminated. Participants like Masaki Nakakubo and Chizuru Ofuchi traveled from Tokyo to take part in the tournament, enjoying the opportunity to relive childhood memories and have fun in the snowy environment.
Uonuma, located in Japan’s “Snow Country,” experiences heavy snowfall every winter, with over three meters (nine feet) of snow accumulated in the city by the time of the tournament. Despite the inconvenience snow may pose to the locals, events like the snowball fight tournament aim to turn it into a fun and enjoyable activity.
The winner of the competition was awarded 30 kgs (66 pounds) of rice, a specialty of Uonuma. The event not only showcased the competitive spirit of the participants but also highlighted the joy and excitement that snowball fighting can bring to people of all ages. The snowball fight tournament in Uonuma serves as a reminder of the simple pleasures that winter activities can offer, bringing a sense of nostalgia and fun to those who participate.
