Video: London Mayor Boris Johnson flattens 10yo Japanese schoolboy

  • 16/10/2015
Mr Johnson was visiting the Japanese capital on a trade trip when the game of rugby took place (Reuters)
Mr Johnson was visiting the Japanese capital on a trade trip when the game of rugby took place (Reuters)

London Mayor Boris Johnson has proved he's quite the rugby player, ploughing through his opposition in a friendly game in Tokyo.

The only problem? His opponent wasn't a 100kg prop or a hulking lock but a 10-year-old Japanese schoolboy.

Mr Johnson was visiting the Japanese capital on a trade trip when the friendly game of rugby took place before cameras on a turf-covered street pitch.

Finding himself in open space with the ball, Mr Johnson seemed intent on showing off his ball skills, making a dash towards the try line.

Despite the size difference, young Toki Sekiguchi was equally intent on stopping the London Mayor, but stood little chance against his bigger adversary, falling roughly to the ground as Mr Johnson barged through him.

After scoring the try, Mr Johnson immediately apologised to Toki, before admitting in a speech later that day he "did feel terrible" about the incident.

 

"We have just played a game of street rugby with a bunch of kids and I accidentally flattened a 10-year-old, on TV unfortunately," The Daily Mail reported him saying afterwards.

"Poor little guy, I hope he is all right. He seemed very cheerful afterwards. He bounced back. That's a metaphor for life.

"In the words of Chumbawamba, you get knocked down then you get up again. Obviously, I'm a bit out of practice, if I ever was in practice."

Toki said despite feeling “a little bit of pain” he had enjoyed meeting the Mayor.

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