The year was 1928, and Japanese-Americans were rumbling through the "Roaring 20's." Unprecendented growth within the Southland, especially in in the Los Angeles basin, created a need for many more community activities. Among the many traditions born during this period were the Junior Olympics, initially sponsored by the Japanese Athletic Union. Little did our forefathers realize that their thirst for healthy competition and friendship through these track and field events some seventy years ago would foster a legacy for many generations?

These "Olympics" initiated the formation of numerous small track clubs to organize area participants - some with corporate or company names. Because the games would draw so many Issei and Nisei from various areas, great friendships and rivalries were created. The "Olympics" coul donly be interrupted by one of the greatest conflicts in the history of man, World War II.

The Junior Olympics were resurrected in 1948; however, due to the six year layoff and the dominant culture's attitude toward "things that were Japanese", the next few years' games were anemic at best. Then, in 1952 after battling with the United States Olympic Committee regarding name usage, the Japanese-American Citizen's League took up the torch of revitalizing what would be known as the "Relays".

Larger track clubs with even more corporate and business sponsorship were soon developing as participation within the community increased. Friendships and rivalries again blossomed as records continued to be set and then broken. The Nisei Relays flourished for decades, until it too became a victim of changing attitudes and apathy. The starter's gun sounded for the last time in 1992.

In 1994, The Orange County Nikkei Coordinating Council addressed the issue of resurrecting the "Relays" again. OCNCC examined many of the reasons for the untimely death of the "Relays" and decided to change the focus; hence, The Nikkei Games: Games for the Generations. As the renamed title implies, all ages within the Nikkei community would be encouraged to particpate. The initial Nikkei Games' 300 participants ranged in age from two year old Yonsei toddlers to 80 year old Issei and Nisei grandparents and great-grandparents. The day's events included: the long jump, the 50 year dash, a beanbag throw, gateball, two-on-two basketball and the Family Daikon Relay. Last year's games had over 2,000 particpants in many events, which included: track and field events, Karate Tournament, Naginata Demonstrations, Judo Tournament, gateball demonstrations and tournament, adult co-ed 3-on-3, as well as youth 3-on-3 basketball tournaments, softball tournament, junior and senior golf tournament, volleyball tournament, Carrie Okamura Memorial 5k run-walk, Kendo tournament, Yonsei Basketball exhibition games and various Taiko group demonstrations.

NIKKEI GAMES MARTIAL ARTS TOURNAMENTS AND EXHIBITIONS

This is your invitation to become a part of history. The NIKKEI GAMES Martial Arts Tournments and Exhibitions is destined to become one of the largest Martial Arts events in the country.

The objective of the Nikkei Games is to become the "Olympics" for Japanese/Japanese American Sports and Martial Arts. The goal for the "GAMES FOR THE GENERATIONS" is to preserve those traditions that are the foundations of life for Japanese Americans and all others who appreciate Japanese/Japanese American culture.

WHEN:
August 22, 1999

WHERE:
The Pyramid, Cal. State University, Long Beach

WHY:
Showcase Traditional Okinawan/Japanese Martial Arts

EVENTS:
Individual Kata, Kumite, and Kobudo

COST:
$20.00 (includes all events). All participants who pre-register by August 1, 1999 will receive a free Nikkei games T-Shirt