Japan: Panasonic Impulse RB Genmei Tachikawa ready for Rice Bowl redemption against Obic Seagulls

As the defending XLeague champion Panasonic Impulse prepare to face the unbeaten Obic Seagulls in Japan’s 79th Rice Bowl Saturday, January 3, running back Genmei Tachikawa embodies his team’s confident, battle-tested mindset heading into Japan’s premier football showdown.

Thriving under pressure
Tachikawa’s calmness was pivotal in Panasonic’s dramatic semifinal win over Fujitsu, where the Impulse trailed in the fourth quarter for the first time all season. Rather than panic, he revealed the offense relished the challenge: “Everyone was enjoying this tingling feeling… I was able to enjoy the real thrill of football.” His unwavering belief never faded, envisioning kicker Shintaro Saeki’s game-winning 43-yard field goal with four seconds left.

A year of preparation
The Rice Bowl offers personal redemption for Tachikawa, who last faced Obic in the 2024 semifinals. After reviewing footage, he candidly assessed that his “feet were slow,” sparking a full year of dedicated training with strength coach Tomoo Ohara to improve his durability and explosiveness. He now feels better prepared than ever for Obic’s aggressive defensive line, which he calls “probably the strongest in the league.”

Confidence in their identity
Tachikawa’s belief in Panasonic’s ground game is absolute. He stated, “We never lose on rushing plays, which is our strength. Even if we know Obic will come to stop us, we will make running plays.” He intentionally uses phrases like “I will succeed” instead of tentative language, explaining this reflects the culmination of their work and a desire to make history with a second consecutive title. For Tachikawa, this game is the perfect stage to showcase Panasonic’s physical identity.

Source: XLeague.