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Has anyone else noticed that, when he’s subbed off, Saito turns to the pitch and bows. In a sporting context this is also done at martial arts dojos and at Sumo wrestling. Being a bit of a fan of all things Japanese I love that he does this.
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Domo origato Mr Saito on 21:57 - Dec 1 with 4437 views
He puts his left foot in, his right foot out In, out, in, out, he turns you all about He's does the Koki Saito and he turns you around That's what he's all about. Whoa-o do the Koki Saito Whoa-o do the Koki Saito Whoa-o do the Koki Saito Knees bent, arms stretched Rs! Rs! Rs!
Yep, I've noticed that, Beckenhamhoop. It's a lovely gesture. I also love that he plays with a smile on his face and shows respect to all players on the pitch. In these days of rage and anger, he's a breath of fresh air.
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Domo origato Mr Saito on 07:59 - Dec 2 with 3521 views
I've been fortunate to visit and travel there a couple of times, and worked for a Japanese organisation for a while. Can't praise the place and people highly enough.
Got into sumo during lockdown, and right into it now. I'm planning on going to a bashio for my next significantly numbered birthday in 2026. The respect shown to the sport, referees, and opponents is exemplary and I just wish the same was shown in football!
'Always In Motion' by John Honney available on amazon.co.uk
Also he committed a foul second half - Watford player was in pain (well, maybe he was, maybe not) anyway Saito immediately went over to check he was OK.
We could all learn a lot from the Japanese model of respectful and compassionate behaviour.
In karate and aikido (and probably more martial arts) if one combatant injures his opponent it is considered honorable to kneel and look in the opposite direction so as not to see the shame/vulnerability of their opponent.
Whereas in MMA it is considered fair game to punch your opponent in the face when he’s on the floor and already all but unconscious. Disgusting.
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Domo origato Mr Saito on 11:06 - Dec 2 with 2992 views
On the subject of Japan, their cricketers played India in the Asia Under-19 50 overs cup in Sharjah today and it went…about as well as could be expected - India 339/6, Japan 128/8. But let’s hear it for Japanese hero Hugo Kelly (!), 8-0-42-2 in the Indian innings, then a 50 (OK, off 111 balls) in Japan’s. And he’s 15!
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Domo origato Mr Saito on 13:06 - Dec 2 with 2635 views
What a lovely man Saito is. Always the first to come and check on a player thats down with a hand on the shoulder and a smile, ours and often the oppostion team.
I said to my son who i wathced the game with on Saturday, be more like Saito, in fact its a lesson to us all.
Be more like Saito
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Domo origato Mr Saito on 17:48 - Dec 2 with 2077 views
Its all about respect in Japanese culture until you start working for them and ask for a pay rise, I know that much! Lovely player though and seems a great lad, still our only real threat in attacking positions.
My eldest boy (U15) was looking for a new club this season, trialed at a couple of teams in West London and eventually settled on a Japanese side because of the culture. While other sides would be saying "you're shìt" for misplacing a pass or "not bein' cookin", this team formed a circle at the end of his first training session to "welcome our new friend."
They've put on trips to go and support their countrymen at QPR v Coventry (obvs Saito, who was my MotM that game), Southampton v Spurs (Yuki Sugawara) and Luton Town v Cardiff (Daiki Hashioka). By all accounts all tickets donated by the players themselves, which is a nice touch. The club also organises a monthly litter-picking event around the park where they play their home fixtures.
They're a handy little team as well except for one massive weakness - they only have two players over 5'5" (my boy being one) so conceding a corner is pretty much equivalent to conceding a penalty. Then again, QPR were the same under Warburton with half a dozen 6-footers so maybe it's not just height.
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Domo origato Mr Saito on 21:44 - Dec 2 with 1586 views
I’ve just bought my nephew (who’s Dad is an ardent Spurs fan) a QPR Shirt with Saito and number 14 on the back. My nephew is Japanese-Scottish. Now I’m praying that we actually buy Koki at the end of the season!
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Domo origato Mr Saito on 22:07 - Dec 2 with 1522 views
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