DEMI: Back to Farewell Parties (2)

Despite our nomadic lifestyle, it is always hard to say goodbye, especially to great friends. This group of friends falls in that category. We can go on and on about them.

For sure, they are very good tennis players, fierce competitors, fair sportsman, but more importantly, they are truly great people and friends!

Two guys are the heart of this group: Ochi and Ueno-san. We already told a little story about Ueno-san a few posting ago, so let's now talk about Ochi.

Ochi is a great tennis player and a frequent hitting partner of Ai Sugiyama, who won several Grand Slam doubles titles and is a touring tennis player on the WTA. Ochi is a ball of energy during tennis practice who loves to trash talk much like basketball players. He is also a fierce competitor, almost never let up on his 200km/hr serves on us amateurs, of course followed by a few words.

But Ochi is also a great friend to many people. He is very caring and would give a shirt off his back if a friend ever needs one. He is the guy who always organize get-together and farewell parties for departing tennis cafe warriors, with some parting words (of course) and interesting gifts. Ochi used to be a corporate warrior before becoming following his true passion as a tennis coach/trainer/motivator. We will miss his energy and passion, but we know we will see him again. I have put out a challenge to him to come to Laos and play golf. This is one area I have a good shot to get back at all of his trash talking on the tennis court.