Kohei Yamashita, a seafood processing worker from Amakusa, Kumamoto, was named the Santa of the Year 2014 at the annual Santa Winter Games held in Gällivare, Sweden on Nov. 22. This year marks the 11th time the games, which are organized by the Greenland International Santa Claus Association, have been held. Yamashita competed against 10 Santas from eight other countries and regions in four events including present stacking and a “reindeer”— actually a decorated cow— rodeo. Yamashita defeated 23 other Santas in the Japan qualifiers, which were held in Amakusa in September. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun 11/24
