Smirks and snickering tend to greet any mention of "men's rhythmic gymnastics," as the phrase conjures up images of chaps in tights prancing around swinging ribbons or clutching squeezy balls to their chests like the sport's female exponents.
That couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, men's rhythmic gymnastics is a fantastic event involving all kinds of dynamic and acrobatic stunts performed by teams whose minutely synchronized routines often move spectators to tears.
And there have been lots of joyous tears shed up in Tohoku at Aomori University on account of its men's rhythmic gymnastics team, which has won the intercollegiate championship for 11 years in a row. For four consecutive years now, it has also won the All-Japan National Championship, in which the competitors include corporate teams whose members may be able to practice almost full-time.