Pokemon GO is the latest worldwide gaming craze. From young people to adults, everyone is getting in on the fun. But playing the game can become quite expensive if you’re not on the correct data plan, as one Japanese gymnast recently learned.
Kohei Uchimura, a favorite to win the gold in men’s gymnastics all-around, told the Kyodo News on Sunday that he racked up a $5,000 phone bill from data roaming charges playing Pokemon GO in Brazil.
The crazy part is that Uchimura was new to the game and had just downloaded it upon arriving in Brazil for his pre-Olympics training.
“500,000 yen…” Uchimura told the Kyodo News with a sigh regarding his bill.
Added teammate Kenzo Shirai, “He looked dead at the team meal that day.”
Luckily all worked out well for Uchimura in the end. His phone company was able to give him a backdated plan of 3,000 yen per day ($30/day) in unlimited data.
At least Uchimura should be pleased that Pokemon GO was working for him, as other athletes weren’t so fortunate.
H/T Deadspin
