Storm to Celebrate Ramu Tokashiki, Seattle Reign FC’s Rumi Utsugi and Japanese Culture
SEATTLE – The Seattle Storm today announced it will host Celebrate Japan Night on Wednesday, Aug. 31, when it faces the Dallas Wings at 7 p.m. at KeyArena. For the second straight year, the Storm will celebrate forward Ramu Tokashiki and the Japanese community in Seattle.
The School of TAIKO, which provides programs with traditional Japanese musical instruments, will be performing at halftime of the game. Japanese soccer player Rumi Utsugi, who plays for Seattle Reign FC, will be on hand to cheer for the Storm and participate in a question-and-answer session with fans after the game along with Tokashiki.
With support from the Global Educational Network, Japan-America Society of the State of Washington, Japan Fair 2016, Japan Business Association of Seattle and the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle, the Storm will honor Tokashiki during Wednesday’s game. Earlier this month in Rio de Janeiro, Tokashiki led Japan to its first Olympic quarterfinal since 1996. The Japanese hadn’t qualified for the Olympics since 2004, yet they went 3-2 in the preliminary round before falling to the United States in the quarterfinals. Tokashiki finished the tournament with averages of 17.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
After being named to the WNBA All-Rookie team last year, Tokashiki is averaging 4.3 points in 11.6 minutes per game this season. The 25-year-old is a three-time MVP in Japan’s WJBL, where she has been the leading scorer two straight years during the WNBA offseason.
Utsugi, who joined Reign FC this season, has amassed 87 caps representing the Japan Women’s National Football Team. She was on Japan’s squad for the 2007, 2011, and 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments, helping her team win the 2011 tournament after a penalty shoot-out win over the U.S. Women’s National Team.
For an exclusive ticket offer to Celebrate Japan Night, click HERE and use the code JAPANNIGHT. You can secure the best seats in the house with Storm 360 Memberships, available now, starting at $288, available online or by calling (206) 217-WNBA (9622). For packages and group discounts, please call 206-217-WNBA (9622).