A COLLEGE football kicker with possibly the most fitting nickname in sports is taking the game global.
Kansei Matsuzawa has been perfect this season for Hawaii.
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Kansei Matsuzawa is a college kicker from Hawaii making a name for himselfCredit: Getty
He is nicknamed ‘Tokyo Toe’ and his games are being shown in JapanCredit: Getty
The 26-year-old is from Ichikawa in Japan and dreamed of attending a D1 college in America.
He learned how to kick by watching YouTube videos of Seattle Seahawks player Jason Myers.
His popularity has led to the nickname “Tokyo Toe.”
And games are now being streamed in Japan so fans can watch him back home.
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Matsuzawa grew up playing soccer but didn’t go to college after failing exams.
He went to the United States with his parents and watched an NFL game between the Los Angeles Rams and Las Vegas Raiders.
And that ignited his love for the game.
The 26-year-old even got a text from Myers after his game-winning field goal against Stanford.
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He told CNN, “It was one of the best moments in my life.
“D1 football in America and Japanese kid has big dream.
“In the beginning, when I was in Japan, I had no coaches. So, I feel like I have to do it myself.
“I used YouTube first. I was looking for an NFL player on YouTube. I would say Seahawks kicker Jason Myers.
“I’ve never met him before, but he actually texted me on Instagram after getting the winning field goal and that was amazing.
“I try to imitate the best of the best and that’s how I started.”
Matsuzawa was a perfect 19 for 19 in field goals this season before this weekend.
According to Hawaii News Now, there is even a campaign for him to be recognized as an All-American.
He added, “I feel like it’s one of the toughest things to walk on to a scholarship in college football.
“It’s really tough, but the coaches believed in me.
“That moment is so amazing for me and my family.
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“They’re paying my tuition, paying my rent. It was tough for my family.
“My family moved to a different place, a cheaper house, to help.”
AloJapan.com