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An illustration of generational talent Ao Tanaka with his pair of Mizunos slung around his neck
This handsome man

Made in heaven

Words by: Luke Brennan
Artwork by: Arley Byrne

In every way, life is beautiful. The miracle of birth, the honour of death, and every flashing moment that belongs in between. Some things, though, are more beautiful than the others. Sit around, look on, and rejoice. For we are living in the age of the Mizuno.

In the next edition of Collins English dictionary – whenever Wanker gets round to releasing it – the noun ‘style’, meaning fashion sense and aesthetic, will read simply: Ao.

If it wasn’t for the fact that he’s Japanese, it’d be for his long-sleeve-undershirt-with-tight-short-sleeve-shirt combination. If it wasn’t for that, it’d be something actually related to the way he plays football. If it wasn’t for any of that, if we dug just another spoonful deeper, we’d find the answer. The nexus of the glory, and the tingle in my nether regions: matching Mizunos.


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