Sports Eye
Remembering Shimano
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
I WAS a bit shocked upon learning that one of the original czars of the world’s famous bicycle component brands “Shimano” died last July 3. Yes, Yoshizo Shimano, the former president of Shimano Incorporated and third son of founder Shozaburo Shimano died due to chronic heart failure. He was 85.
Cyclists are familiar with Shimano being a popular brand of gadgets for competitive cycling., i.e., hand brakes, chain wheels and derailleur, etc.. Shimano’s top products are used mostly by professional and elite amateur riders all over the world: Tour de France, Giro d’ Italia and Vuelta a España.
Admittedly, I’m one of the avid users of Shimano gadgets particularly during my prime except in my first triumph in 1973 when I used the French-made Peugeot with Simplex derailleur, Mafic brakes and Stronglight chain wheel. These gadgets eventually wore out after three successful years in tours. These brands eventually became obsolete in the Philippines market industry so I shifted to Shimano, another truly reliable.
(The number one rival of Shimano in marketing to this day is the Italian brand Campagnolo. Like Shimano, Campagnolo has been tested for its sturdiness, durability and reliability and got the nods of the users especially the professional riders, like me).
Yoshizo Shimano was born in Sakai, considered as the bicycles’ city of Japan and studied at Kelo University with economics degree. Before his death, he who spent most of his life in cycling but not so successful in racing, became chairman emeritus in the company in 2012. He was also president of Bicycle Association of Japan up to his death. He was the only guy in the Shimano tribe that led the company for 27 years, and made the brand Shimano globally popular as a reliable component and efficiently famed especially in Europe, whose second favorite sport is cycling, after football. Yes, he’s gone but his leadership in the company is immeasurable and his presence will forever be felt in the sports industry. The company is now headed by his nephew Yozo Shimano.
Rest in peace Yoshizo Shimano and your legacy in cycling will never be forgotten.
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Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the remaining NBA games will definitely resume on July 31 and will finish all its unfinished hostilities in Orlando, Florida. I believe, this will happen in PBA soon.
In the local front, a reliable source (who spoke on condition of anonymity) told me that the 4th Governor’s Cup Inter-Town/City Basketball Tournament will also continue its suspended skirmishes possibly this month or next month to be held at Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center in Lingayen. Of course, all the teams in the three leagues are expected to observe a strict health protocols. Hopefully, there will be no incident that could spark a COVID-19 infection during the games and among the players.
Wait and see na lang po tayo. Yes, there must be a champ in these leagues this season.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. ROMANS 14: 8-9
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