Pokemon hunting proves costly for Uchimura

AFP, TOKYO: Japanese gymnastics star Kohei Uchimura was left counting the cost of his recent addiction to Pokemon Go at the Rio Olympics.
The reigning Olympic and world all-around champion became hooked on the smartphone game after touching down in Brazil to prepare for the defence of his title.
But to Uchimura's horror he was hit with a 500,000 yen ($5,000) bill after discovering that he did not have a flat rate for overseas data usage.
"500,000 yen..." the defending six-time world champion was quoted by Kyodo news agency as saying. "I really lucked out," he added.
Team-mate Kenzo Shirai confided that Uchimura was shellshocked by the charges.
Uchimura, though, escaped the hefty bill after contacting his phone company to plead his case, eventually only having to pay 3,000 yen.
He will be competing in his third Olympics in Rio where if he succeeds in defending the all-around title he won in London after taking silver in 2008 he would become the first man to do so since compatriot Sawao Kato in 1972.

Pokemon hunting proves costly for Uchimura

AFP, TOKYO: Japanese gymnastics star Kohei Uchimura was left counting the cost of his recent addiction to Pokemon Go at the Rio Olympics. The reigning Olympic and world all-around champion became hooked on the smartphone game after touching down in Brazil to prepare for the defence of his title. But to Uchimuras horror he was hit with a 500,000 yen ($5,000) bill after discovering that he did not have a flat rate for overseas data usage. 500,000 yen... the defending six-time world champion was quoted by Kyodo news agency as saying. I really lucked out, he added. Team-mate Kenzo Shirai confided that Uchimura was shellshocked by the charges. Uchimura, though, escaped the hefty bill after contacting his phone company to plead his case, eventually only having to pay 3,000 yen. He will be competing in his third Olympics in Rio where if he succeeds in defending the all-around title he won in London after taking silver in 2008 he would become the first man to do so since compatriot Sawao Kato in 1972.