BRISBANE: The 8th World Coughing Championship entered the knockout stages last night when
the Japanese team beat the much fancied Croatia to clinch the last quarter-final place.
"It is are very good result. I very pleased for the lads" said Japanese captain Honda Suzuki
after their victory.
The Japanese went ahead early on when Harikiri Wakibaki coughed sharply after only two
minutes build-up and successfully hockled a good firm pellet from 25 yards. A spirited response
from the Croatians saw much wheezing and clearing of the throat but they were unable to finish.
The Japanese renewed the pressure in the second half. Finally it was young Kendo Nagasaki
who clinched the quarter-final place for his country with a 4 minute 58 second masterpiece
of a cough. He built from the deep within the gut starting with a skilled series of wheezes, gradually
developing into a wonderful mix of liquid chesty coughs before finishing with the most deft
of splutters. The judges had no choice but to award high marks.
