Local News

Seiji Tsuruta, a 47 year old employee of a local elder care facility, will compete in the BMX World Championships in New Zealand from July 24~28. Tsuruta’s motto is “no matter how old you are, you can keep growing as long as you set goals”. He will compete with more than 100 other riders in the Over 45 Class and hopes to place in the top eight. Ten years ago Tsuruta spent ¥200,000 of his own money to turn an unused field in Sawara-ku into a 150m BMX course, the only one of its kind in Kyushu. Searching for a sport he could enjoy with his two children, Tsuruta turned to BMX in his late 30s. What began as a way to communicate with his children became his passion, and now he practices racing whenever he has spare time. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun, June 26