Kent’s life

Young days
Kent was the only child of Tomio and Kimie Yamazaki. He was born at St.John of God in Subiaco on the 20th July 2004.

When he was little, Kent was so shy. He always stood behind his parents, Tomio and Kimie. He had difficulty with his speech and talking skills. He couldn’t communicate with other children. His parents took him to Japanese speech therapy in Bunbury every month.

It was only after he started his tennis that his talking and communication skills improved a lot. He especially enjoyed tennis and school life.

Late in life
Kent won the U16 Alexander Park Gold Tennis Tournament on 14th Jan 2020 and the Nedlands Open Australia Money Tennis Tournament Silver Doubles on 22th Jan 2020.

Kent enjoyed the Australian Open 2020 with his friend Kendrick, before travelling to Nepal.

On the 28th Jan 20, after Kent arrived in Nepal, he went to shopping and walking to get used to new environment in Nepal.

On the 29th Jan 2020, in the late afternoon, Kent collapsed during a light tennis match against a local girl at the Nepal International Tennis centre. Kent tragically passed away due to cardiomyopathy at B&B hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Kent was a very healthy 15 year old boy, with no symptoms of heart diseases and never had any injuries during his tennis career.

To Kent Yamazaki

From Mr. Lee Jarvinen (Applecross SHS)

Kent took so much pride in being a student-athlete at Applecross Senior High School. He was an ideal role model to his peers both on and off the tennis court. Kent’s professionalism and preparation is legendary. He was never late to class, never forgot his uniform or his equipment, and the high standards he set on a daily basis inspired many. Kent showed so much respect to all in our school community. In 2019, Kent won Mutual Respect Award for his year group of close to 300 students - given to the student who upheld the school value of Mutual Respect. I have a feeling Kent was just as proud of this award as his countless tennis trophies and accolades.  

I have never met a young man as driven towards his goals as Kent. From such a young age, he dreamed of playing college tennis in the USA. His dedication to tennis and his school work were driven by this dream. We would often find Kent’s head buried in a text book on a tennis trip. His academic achievement is testament to his hard work and determination. His tennis achievement is testament to his hard work and determination. If you were to write a book on grit and determination. Kent would be your ideal model. 

Kent was at his best when he was in a team environment. He simply loved being a part of a team. Kent seemed to grow an arm or a leg whenever he was in the heat of battle with his team mates. He was a champion tennis player and a champion team mate. 

Kent had the unique ability to make those around him feel better. His friendly, engaging smile and his distinctive laugh always brightened everyone’s day. You couldn’t help but have a smile on your face when Kent was around. He was interested in others wellbeing, he cared for his family, his mates and had the utmost respect for everyone he met. 

Kent’s tennis achievements at Applecross Senior High School are outstanding. He was a member of our national championship winning team in 2019. Kent also won numerous Western Australian State titles in teams at Applecross Senior High School, including the Herbert Edwards Cup, Slazenger Cup and Junior Hopman Cup. Kent represented our school at every opportunity possible, and did so with extreme passion and a smile on his face.

Lee Jarvinen 
Applecross Senior High School
Specialist Tennis Program
Coordinator 2006-2019

To Kent Yamazaki
From Mr. Tom George (Coach)

Kent was born on 20th July 2004 at St John of God Hospital, the first and only child  to Tomio and Kimi Yamazaki. When he was little, Kent was so shy he would always hide behind his parents and had difficulty communicating with other children. Tomio and Kimi decided to take him to Japanese speech therapy to try and help his speaking skills, but it wasn’t until he started playing tennis that things began to improve. He grew in confidence and he was finally able to talk and mess around with the other kids. One of his greatest tennis achievements was winning the Nedlands AMT Silver Doubles champion on the 22nd January, an enormous feat for someone so young. On the afternoon of 29th January 2020, Kent unexpectedly passed away due to cardiomyopathy at the Nepal International Tennis centre in Kathmandu.

APPLECROSS SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Kent was the perfect student athlete. His incredible work ethic and diligence led to great success in his life. Kent was a straight A student at Applecross, a school that he loved dearly. Kent excelled academically and was put in extension classes reserved for the elite students. Kent helped Applecross win the tennis National Schools Championships recently and was most proud of this achievement. Applecross was a school that loved Kent back with wonderful friendships and caring mentors. Thank you Lee and Lance for everything you did for Kent.

TENNIS
Kent was the hardest worker I have ever seen who always gave 100% effort and was always the first person at training. Kent’s talent was that he outworked his competition. If we had a session at 6am, Kent would be there at 5:30am doing his speed ladder and then practicing his serve. Kent never missed a training session and always asked for extra training. He was the perfect role model at the National Academy for the younger boys and girls to see his incredible attitude. Kent embodied the Tennis Australia National Academy values of Compete/Commit/Respect and was nominated for the Karen Bucens Award which is an award for unparalleled commitment and dedication to tennis. Training with Kent was a great joy due to his work ethic and positive nature. One funny thing Kent liked to do was to get the Tiger toy “Bobby’ out of my tennis bag and put ‘Bobby’ on the umpire’s chair. Kent thought this was very funny and we could never start a session without ‘Bobby’ watching.

Kent also loved his sessions with Brenton Bacon and loved playing doubles with you and spending time with you at tournaments. He was so proud of his relationship with you and looked up to you. You treated him like a son and that is something so special. Thank you Brenton for all that you did for Kent.

Kent also loved training at the State Tennis Centre with Andrew, Len, Mitch, Damien, Marisa, Pete, Brad, Brandon and Rob. You have all had a positive impact on Kent’s life and treated him with respect and gave him everything you had. Kent loved all of you and the care and interest you took in Kent will never be forgotten. Thank you to Joe McCarthy and Simon Harper for all the time you gave to Kent. Kent excelled in his tennis with you and reached the semi finals of the December Showdown Nationals. You both had a tremendous impact on his life. Thanks also goes to Sayumi, Lito, Lobo and Rhys McDougall for the precious time you spent with Kent on court over the years.

Kent was selected for a National Training Camp recently in Adelaide that was reserved for only the best players in the country. Staff members and players all commented on Kent’s excellent attitude and respectful nature during the camp. Every picture that was sent through had Kent holding his Rubik’s cube. Kent loved his Rubik’s cube and took it everywhere. It was a funny joke in the end that Kent had to get the cube whenever he was in a photo.

Kent started off this year with an invitation to represent WA at the Pizzey Cup this year. Kent was thrilled to be selected as he loved representing WA. Kent won a gold junior tournament to start the year, an AMT doubles title with Adam and was off to improve his world junior ITF ranking. Kent was at the top of his game.

Kent’s goal was to receive a Scholarship to an Ivy League University in America which he no doubt would have achieved. His grades, his tennis results and team spirit would have made him the perfect candidate and any team or University would have been lucky to have him.

FRIENDSHIPS
Kent had friends everywhere. We have all received hundreds of phone calls and messages from all over the country. All of the messages speak about the lovely nature of Kent and what an amazing person he was. His impact reached far and wide because he was such an incredible young man. Kent was so popular and his passing has left us all with great pain and sadness. To all of Kent’s friends here today, please honour Kent by living life to the fullest and remember all of the good times you had together and the wonderful memories you shared.

TOMIO & KIMIE
To Tomio and Kimie. Kent was a reflection of you both. You raised the perfect boy. Kent had all of your wonderful qualities. Great morals and ethics, compassion, generosity, discipline, ambition, kindness, humour and loyalty. We will be here for you always. We are also your family. We all loved Kent and we love you. Kent is in heaven now and his legacy will live on. We will live life how Kent wanted to live, full of joy and happiness, being kind to one another, working hard, spending time with friends and family and most importantly appreciating each new day and life itself. This is what Kent would want.

I love you Kent.

Tom George
Tennis Australia
National Academy Manager