Singapore’s Bernard Lim came, saw and conquered at the FISTF/JTFA Nishi tax accounting firm Cup JAPAN Grand Prix 2025, taking both the Open and Veterans categories.
Held on August 16,17 in Minami-Ashigara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, the tournament featured four categories: Open, Veterans, Women, and Team Event.
In the Open category, there were no first-time participants in the tournament. While the Pod 1 players advanced as expected, the battle for places in the knockout stage was fiercely contested, reflecting a clear overall rise in the level of competition. Notably, female players competing in the Open category also showed significant progress, even managing to score goals against male opponents.
In the semifinals, Singapore player Bernard Lim (SGP/Jurong Central SC) defeated Taichi Kato (JPN/Yokohama OSC) 4-1.
In the other semifinal, Kenzo Koi (JPN / Yokohama OSC) defeated Suguru Fujino (JPN / Tokyo Sunzeol TFC) 2-1 in the extra time.
In the final, Bernard Lim defeated Kenzo Koi in convincing fashion with a commanding 4–0 victory.
Hideki Yoshida (JPN / Yokohama OSC) won the Plate tournament.
He reached the quarterfinals in the previous International Open on July.
Plate winner Yoshida (r)
In the Veterans category, Lim also captured the championship with an unbeaten record.
In the Women category, Miwako Okamoto (JPN / Tokyo Sparkling Shooters) captured the championship with 3 goals, 3 clean sheets. It was her second championship title of this season.
In the Team Event, Yokohama OSC captured the championship, following their success at the December club event. Despite boasting a roster packed with Japanese national team players, they had been forced to settle for second place in the domestic club rankings. With this latest triumph, however, they are expected to reclaim the No. 1 spot.
Yokohama OSC – team winners