Kazuya Kumagai - Kumagai Kazuya

An international player who adorns the early history of Japanese tennis. Born in Fukuoka Prefecture. During his time as captain of the Keio University tennis club, he promoted the adoption of hard tennis. In 1915 (Taisho 4), he won the second Far Eastern Championship in Shanghai, and the following year the Oriental Championship in Manila. In 1916, he toured the United States and won tournaments in various locations. In Newport, he defeated Johnston, who was ranked number one in the United States, and became famous overnight. He then moved to New York as an employee of Mitsubishi Limited Partnership. In 1919, he won the Great Lakes Championship, defeating Murray, who was ranked number one, and Tilden, who was ranked number two, and became number three in the United States. In 1920, he won singles at the Antwerp Olympics and also placed second in doubles with Seiichiro Kashiwao. He brought Japan its first Olympic medal. In 1921, he achieved the feat of advancing to the challenge round with Zenzo Shimizu at Japan's first Davis Cup appearance.

Kumagai always swung his racket with all his might, with a fierce fighting spirit, but when he realized his physical strength was declining, he retired from international matches. After returning to Japan in 1947, he worked hard to develop Japanese tennis, including serving as chairman of the Japan Davis Cup player selection committee.

[Kubo Keinosuke]

"Soft Ball" by Junichiro Uemae (1982, Bungeishunju)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

日本テニス史初期を飾る国際的選手。福岡県出身。慶応義塾大学庭球部主将時代に硬式テニス採用を推進。1915年（大正4）上海(シャンハイ)における第2回極東選手権、翌年マニラでの東洋選手権に優勝。16年アメリカに遠征し、各地のトーナメントで優勝。ニューポートでは全米1位のジョンストンを破り一躍有名になる。その後三菱(みつびし)合資会社の社員としてニューヨークに赴任。19年にはグレートレーク選手権で全米1位マレー、2位チルデンを破って優勝、全米ランキング3位となる。20年オリンピック・アントワープ大会でシングルスに、また柏尾(かしわお)誠一郎と組みダブルスで2位。日本に初めてのオリンピック・メダルをもたらす。21年日本初出場のデビスカップで清水善造(ぜんぞう)とともにチャレンジ・ラウンド進出の偉業をなす。

　激しい闘争心でつねに全力でラケットを振るった熊谷は体力の衰えを知ると国際試合から引退。22年帰国後は、日本デ杯選手選考委員会委員長を務めるなど、日本テニス界の発展に尽力した。

［久保圭之助］

『上前淳一郎著『やわらかなボール』（1982・文芸春秋）』

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