Together with Japan’s top athletic trainer, Dr. Takeshi Suzuki, Japan’s most decorated Olympic swimmer Kosuke Kitajima has brought Perform Better, leading educator and provider of functional training equipment to Japan.
The new company, Perform Better Japan will hold educational seminars for athletic trainers, physical therapists and fitness experts. It will also import and distribute leading functional training equipment in the Japanese market.
Chris Poirier General Manager of Perform Better was also on hand in Tokyo at the press conference to announce the launch.
“Perform Better U.S. is proud to announce its relationship with Perform Better Japan. Being able to share our ideas through products and education is the key for raising awareness in Functional Training and Sports Performance. We are very excited to be partnering up with Perform Better Japan and believe that this relationship will help Functional Training reach a whole new level. We look forward to supporting our new partners in helping them become the #1 choice for Coaches, Trainers and Therapists in Japan.”
Kosuke Kitajima, Japan’s most decorated swimmer and four-time Olympic Gold Medalist, first attended a Perform Better seminar in 2013 in Los Angeles and was impressed with not only the product line-up but also the impact the company had in the field of Functional Training in the United States. He immediately spoke with trainers that agreed that there was a gap in the Japanese market that could be filled by bringing the company to Japan.
“I have had many excellent trainers help me during my career as a swimmer and know the importance of a good trainer for an athlete. I hope that Perform Better Japan will become a forum for information exchange and ultimately contribute to elevating the status of trainers everywhere. Just as young swimmers see me and dream of going to the Olympics one day, I hope that we can help push aspiring trainers on to the world stage”, says Kitajima who will act as General Manager and CEO of the new company.
“Most trainers in the U.S. know Perform Better and have at one point or another attended a Perform Better workshop and bought equipment from the company. I think the fact that a top athlete like Kosuke deciding to bring this company to Japan is significant and extremely exciting”, says Executive Director, Dr. Takeshi Suzuki who is Japan’s leading expert both in athletic training and conditioning. He is also a medical staff for Japan’s Olympic Committee and founder of R-body Project, a conditioning center in central Tokyo.
So if his position as CEO and GM of this company is legit and not a figurehead type deal, can we assume this is effectively announcing his retirement? I have trouble imagining him finding the time to train for world class performances while performing the duties of the CEO of a growing company. Either way, dude’s a legend, good for him.