A one-on-one battle between SG champions Yamaguchi and Kasahara! Yamaguchi is the star of the race on the memorial waters where he won his first SG race. Kasahara, who is close to a full recovery, will be going one-on-one with Yamaguchi. Matsuda is also not to be outdone in terms of recent performance and results on the waters. Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi (Hiroshima), who won his first G1 race in three and a half years at the Tokoname Anniversary in June last year, has also been a stable performer at the top of the race, finishing second in three consecutive SG races. He has only won once here, but that was at the 2010 Boat Race Classic, where he won his first SG race. He is the star of the race on the memorial waters. Ryo Kasahara (Shizuoka) made his first G1 final appearance since returning from a serious injury in Fukuoka last November, suggesting that a full recovery is near. This year, he stumbled at the beginning of his race at Wakamatsu with a false start, but has maintained his form at his own pace since then. He has a solid track record with four wins here, so will it be a one-on-one battle with fellow SG champion Yamaguchi? Matsuda Taishiro (Fukuoka) is no slouch in recent form either, having been in seven finals and two wins in nine races up until Omura in February and on a roll this season. His surface record is also not to be outdone by the two aforementioned, having won his fourth race here two races ago. Iijima Masahiro (Saitama) is also on a winning streak here, having won in the last race. Satooka Yuki (Fukuoka), who will be racing here for the first time in three years, has a history of winning from course 6. Watanabe Yutaka (Tokyo), Ninagawa Teppei (Tokyo) and Fushimi Shunsuke (Tokyo) will also be competing in their home town.

We're looking forward to it! Yamaguchi Tsuyoshi!

When you think of Heiwajima, you think of Yamaguchi!