Takashi Ogawa is a school teacher at Northbridge Public School.
But once that school bell rings in the afternoon, he is a coach at Northbridge Knockout, a jump rope club of about 40 people, ranging from primary school children to university students.
Takashi entered the world of rope jumping 21 years ago, when a performing team from Jump Rope for Heart visited his school. He found the performance, a little "boring" and felt that “he could do better”. Takashi was quick to act, and soon enough, he had organized a team, developing passionate skippers.
What started as a small activity in the school hall, has now become a club that regularly competes in state and national competitions. The Northbridge Knockouts have also competed in the World Championships six times, with some impressive results.
Northbridge Knockouts, senior double dutch Source: Takashi Ogawa
The club has previously won the 15-17 age group, and in the most recent World Championship, they have won the individual triple jump with a world record of 535 jumps.
And Takashi himself, who previously was not a jump rope athlete himself, is now the Vice President of the International Jump Rope Union, working at grassroots and world level, as well as organizing world championships.
At this year's state tournament, the club has won the girls' 8, 9, 13, 14, and 19+division, and the boys' 18+division, and many medals are also expected for at the upcoming Nationals in Gold Coast.
FISAC-IRSF Worlds 2018 in Shanghai, China as president Source: Takashi Ogawa
”We don't just do our best, we do our best to win" This is his motto, which he tells his students on a daily basis.
'This way, no matter what the result is, what colour the medal is, you will be satisfied"
"The beauty of jump rope is that it does not cost much and anyone can participate" says Takashi.
Northbridge Knockouts, Kids Double Dutch Source: Takashi Ogawa
Even more, it is a sports where "improvement is so visible, that it can be encouraging to children and athletes".
“There are also a lot of potential for this minor sports to grow” says Takashi.
If you are yet to witness the world of jump rope, check out Takashi's Northbridge Knockouts or the YouTube below. It will open up a whole new world, completely different from "skipping" you experienced as a child.
