Numerous Japanese women have crossed the Pacific to the United States to become cheerleaders for NFL teams. But none have reached as high of a level as Tomoko Kojima.
Kojima was named as one of the four captains for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleaders for the 2010 season, which kicked off last weekend. She is in charge of one of four lines, with seven cheerleaders in her line.
Kojima, who is embarking on her eighth straight campaign with the team, said in a telephone interview with The Japan Times that she was surprised when she first heard the announcement.