Tajima turning pro next year

Wataru Tajima shows off his trophy and windsurfing board after winning the downwind slalom championship of the 18th All Japan Amateur Super Slalom tournament held Dec. 11 and 12 in Yokosuka, Japan. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Wataru Tajima can now compete as a professional windsurfer next year after winning the downwind slalom championship of the 18th All Japan Amateur Super Slalom tournament held Dec. 11 and 12 in Yokosuka, Japan.

Born and raised in the CNMI, the 21-year-old Marianas High School alumnus said he’s glad to win the special class in the Japan Windsurfing Association-sponsored tournament as he can now compete in the 2022 JWA circuit as a professional windsurfer.

“I am glad to win the championship because it was one of my dreams to become a pro,” he said.

The son of Hiroshi and Hiroko Tajima said his championship in the 18th All Japan Amateur Super Slalom culminated his long and arduous journey in the sport of windsurfing.

“It was a great honor to represent the CNMI in the 2018 Windsurfing World Cup tournament in Japan. It was first time for me to enter such a big tournament and it’s good experience to meet with famous windsurfers in the world. The experience gave me confidence. So I decided to move to Japan in the Spring of 2020 and challenge various races,” he said.

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic many races were cancelled in 2020. Thankfully, restrictions eased this year and Tajima and other windsurfers were finally able to compete again.

“I could join some races again and finally I won in the JWA Amateur Super Slalom tournament and received a title to become a JWA professional windsurfer next year. I would like to express my great appreciation for the people who has supported me since I started the windsurfing at the age of 12 years old. I miss Saipan a lot, my windsurfing friends, the beautiful blue ocean, and the tropical weather. I haven’t gotten used to the cold and rough water in the winter season in Japan. But I will never give up and do my best!”

Tajima currently works at a shop called 85 Club in Chiba. It is also the beaches in Chiba, near where he lives, that he practices windsurfing every day since relocating to his parents’ home country in March 2020.

Now that he can compete as a professional, Tajima can set his sights on his next goal that is to become an Olympian.

“In order to compete with the people who are aiming for the Paris Olympics, I definitely need more time to practice. But I have to work and earn enough money for the races. The reason I want to be a professional soon is because if I become a professional there will be more chances for me to find new sponsors so I’ll be able to concentrate more on my training.”

Tajima first learned to windsurf at the age of 12 when his father taught him the sport at Seawind Marine Sports in Micro Beach.

“To my parents, sponsors, and all the people in Saipan and Japan who has always supported me thank you,” he said.

His parents said they’re very proud of what their son has achieved in the sport and bringing honor to the CNMI.

“We are very happy that he can become a professional windsurfer. He always loves windsurfing and did it almost every day when he lived on Saipan. He learned how to windsurf from his dad. My husband’s hobby is also windsurfing. Also, many of our windsurfing friends helped him. We are so grateful for their support,” said Hiroko.