Nozomu Hagihara (Nono) receives a grand reception in Gurugram

Gurugram, India – On his way to Delhi to achieve his Mission 2000 km, Nozomu Hagihara (Nono) received a grand reception in Gurugram on Wednesday evening with much fanfare. Amidst the thundering Indian Dhols (drums) and chants, Aju group of hotels welcomed Nono san in an open Thar vehicles in a procession marching from Aju Hotel to Nagomi Fine Dining Restaurant for the reception party “OTSUKARE”.

Those present included many dignitaries from India and Japan, including Miss Sake Indian 2025, and officials from the Japanese embassy, JETRO, IJCC, KJC, ACN, Yakult, QUARTET, etc.

“It was a pleasure and honour for us to welcome and celebrate the unprecedented achievement by Nono san who has been on a 2,000-kilometer solo dribbling journey from Kolkata to New Delhi since March,” said Prakash Yadav, Founder and CMD Aju Group of Hotels. Miss Sake India 2025 Aakansha Shrivastava was also present on the occasion to illuminate the event.

Also present were the representatives from the sponsorship companies The attendees also enjoyed the Japanese food and beverages during the event.

It was a mix gathering of Indian and Japanese dignitaries who turned up in a big number to welcome Nono, who is reaching the Japan Embassy today evening finally culminate his journey. He will be meeting the Japan ambassador and other diplomats.

Throughout the journey, Nono not only conducted football workshops in villages along the route, focusing on gender equality, hygiene, and nutrition. He also made this initiative a charity campaign to fund his project of taking 20-30 children from Bihar to Japan for a sports exchange program. This challenge is also an official attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest dribbling distance, marking a historic milestone in sports and social impact. Nono’s mission is to inspire children across India to take on challenges and believe in their potential.

Nono has a rich football player experience of 19+ years throughout most of his life, including playing for the Ritsumeikan University Soccer Club and J-League Oita Trinita U-18 division.

As the founder of FC Nono, Non founded NOZOMU FOUNDATION – a Section-8 company in India dedicated to providing underprivileged children in rural Bihar with opportunities through sports, Nono sees this challenge as a way to motivate young people to embrace perseverance and self-belief.

Before finally hitting the Guinness World Records of running that long a stretch manoeuvring football all along the way, this 31-year old Japanese soccer enthusiast and social activist ran 100-167 kms a day braving brutal Indian summer weather hovering around 40-45 degree Celsius, pollution, and other adverse conditions through Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and finally New Delhi.