criterion (criteria) for selection
that goes without saying but also ...; not only that but ...
white circle; white star; victory mark
have to (verb); must (verb); is indispensable; absolutely necessary
entertainment; hospitality; banishment (Edo period)
in some cases; sometimes; on occasions
screening meeting; trial meeting; qualifying competition
to act (a part); to play (a role); to perform (a play, etc.); to put on (a production); to commit (a blunder); to pretend (e.g. to be a good father)
to creep up; to crawl up; to overcome (a bad situation); to rise (after a setback)
to smash up; to defeat crushingly
complete victory; winning a tournament with no losses
outlet (e.g. for water or gas); market (for something); outlet (e.g. for excess energy); vent (e.g. for emotions)
spin; rotation; spin (PR, politics)
freely; frankly; without reserve
all-Japan; all-Japan championships; (Japanese) national championships
having one's back to the wall; having nowhere to go; having no way out; not having another chance
unskilled; clumsy; lousy; poor; awkward; shitty
racket; paddle (in table-tennis)
serve; serving (e.g. of food)
field; sports stadium; arena
newly arrived; newly joined; newly entered; newcomer
peerless; matchless; unparalleled; unrivalled; unequalled; incomparable
to win and advance to the next round
frail; having a weak constitution; being in poor health
information session; briefing; explanatory meeting
place to look (esp. when averting one's eyes)
therefore; thus; well, then ...; that's right; indeed; (arch.) ... on earth?
league; federation; union; alliance
ordinary; nothing special; nothing to exclaim over
safe; secure; certainly; surely; no thanks; I'm good
rugged; scraggy; angular; gnarled
effect; virtue; efficacy; impression
covered in mud; mud-caked
one of these days; someday; one day
career; carrier (disease, signal, warship, etc.); carrier; telephone company; career government employee