News

The National Seven Universities Athletic Meet is being hosted this summer by Hokkaido University. And over the next few months, member universities will be competing in some 40 sporting events to decide this year's overall champion.

To cheer on Tohoku University's athletes, a pep rally was held on Kawauchi campus on May 27, attended by members of the "Gakuyukai" (Students' Friendship Association), as well as student representatives and faculty advisors of the university's sports clubs. The event was also broadcast live for students and alumni to watch online.

In his speech, President Teiji Tominaga, who also serves as head of the "Gakuyukai," described the tournament as an opportunity for student athletes to raise their competitive levels and foster exchange between universities. "I hope all of you will continue to train hard, engage your opponents with the best of your abilities and represent Tohoku University with pride."

He also expressed confidence that Tohoku University will put up a good fight, especially after last year's disappointing third-place finish. "This tournament will be our opportunity to reclaim the overall championship, defeat the host and prevent Hokkaido University from winning for the second consecutive time," he said.

The president then joked that as his counterpart at Hokkaido University is a fellow neurosurgeon whom he knows well, "I absolutely want us to beat them!"

There were also messages of encouragement from the Director of the Cheer Squad (応援団) Nobuo Fuse and the Director of Athletic Activities Masaki Kubo.

Yuma Nemoto, Head of the Standing Committee of the Tohoku University Athletic Department, then announced the results of the three winter sports that were completed earlier this year - ice hockey (in which Tohoku University finished fourth), skiing (first) and aviation (second). The results put Tohoku University provisionally in first place after the winter session, with the main summer tournament due to begin mid-June.

The captains of the soft tennis club took the Players' Oath on behalf of all Tohoku University's athletes, and pledged to do their best to bring the championship back to Sendai.

The ceremony ended with the university's cheer squad and cheerleaders taking centre stage with a spirited performance.

The National Seven Universities Athletic Meet is one of Japan's most prestigious intercollegiate sporting events, bringing together top athletes from Hokkaido University, Tohoku University, the University of Tokyo, Nagoya University, Kyoto University, Osaka University and Kyushu University. Tohoku University has traditionally done well, winning 16 championships so far, including four consecutive titles between 2017 - 2022.

Results of all the sporting competitions - and the race to this year's overall championship - will be published on the tournament's homepage.

（ Click for sound）