Chatham Athlete "OK" in Nagano Following Devasting Japan Earthquake

Derek Whitson Photo From Facebook Group "Derek Whitson Bring Home The Gold"

By now, the world has heard of the devastating earthquake in Japan, and the aftermath it has caused destroying buildings, and most notably leading to a powerful and deadly tsunami.

While this catastrophe was taking place, one Chatham athlete was in Nagano, Japan, participating in the 2011 Japan Para Ice Sledge Hockey Championships. Derek Whitson, a member of Team Canada’s Sledge Hockey team, and former Ursuline College student, was playing in a game against Team USA when the earthquake hit.

Via his Facebook, Whitson announced after the game, “There was an earthquake but everything is fine here in Nagano.”

The Hockey Canada sledge hockey Twitter account echoed this report stating, “Cdn Sledge Hockey Team is safe in Nagano. All indications are Nagano is a safe place to be. We are monitoring closely. Safety is #1.”

After a delay in the game due to the earthquake that rocked Tokyo, which is expected to have caused more than 10,000 deaths across Japan, Canada and USA resumed play.

Canada managed to beat the United States 2-1, before their next games were rescheduled as the country braced itself for aftershocks. One aftershock was reported to hit the Nagano area with a 6.2 magnitute, however no significant damage was reported in the city.

Since then, Canada took to the ice again, this time beating the host Japan 5-0.

The Chatham-Kent Sports Network has contacted Derek Whitson for an interview on his experience in Japan. Continue to follow CKSN for updates on this story.