Men’s eight crew row to seventh consecutive win at Five Universities’ Regatta

July 11, 2025

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The Institute of Science Tokyo Rowing Club once again dominated various categories at the 68th Five Universities' Regatta, held on April 26 at the Toda Boat Course in Saitama Prefecture. In addition to winning the men's eight category for the seventh consecutive year, the Institute’s rowers also finished first in the men’s coxed four, double scull, senior alumni eight, and young alumni eight categories.

The Five Universities' Regatta, which has its roots in a 1919 feud between the rowers of Tokyo Higher Technical School — the predecessor of Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) — and Tokyo School of Foreign Languages, has been held every year since 1958, with the exception of 2020 and 2021. In 2025, participants included rowers from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, University of Tsukuba, the National Defense Academy, and Science Tokyo. For the first time, the contest also included rowers from the former Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU). TMDU and Tokyo Tech merged to form Science Tokyo in October 2024.

Men’s eight — 1st place

In this category, eight rowers propel the boat on alternate sides with sweep oars while one cox steers. Each rower holds one oar with both hands. This year's winning team is:

Motoki Kawashima , 4th year, Industrial Engineering and Economics
Shuhei Hamada , 4th year, Chemical Science and Engineering
Ryuta Ishiba, 4th year, Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Yuki Mizukoshi, 2nd year, Industrial Engineering and Economics
Koichi Yasuma , 4th year, Materials Science and Engineering
Yosuke Okuda, 3rd year, Chemical Science and Engineering
Takuto Nishi, 4th year, Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Naoki Shiojiri , 2nd year, Chemical Science and Engineering
Taiji Koiwa, 4th year, Materials Science and Engineering

Comments from crew leader Taiji Koiwa

This year, we improved our physical strength through winter training, so in the last practice, we were able to achieve better times than last year. We went into the competition with confidence that we could win. On the day of the race, we had some issues, such as a crew member being unwell, but we were relieved to emerge victorious.

However, there are still many areas which we need to polish in order to beat strong competitors at the summer intercollegiate championships. We must continue to improve.

We would like to continue to apply our learning at Science Tokyo to rowing, using the power of science and engineering to move our boat more efficiently.

Men’s double scull — 1st place

In this category, two rowers, each with two oars, propel the boat. Unlike the eight and the coxed four, the rowers must adjust their pace and direction themselves as there is no cox. This year's winning team is:

Ryu Yamaguchi, 2nd year, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine
Shugo Yachi, 6th year, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine

Comments from crew leader Shugo Yachi

I am very pleased to have won the double scull category in our first race as Science Tokyo rowers. We will do so again at the next Five Universities’ Regatta! We will also do our best at the intercollegiate championships in September.

Double scull winners after award ceremony

Men’s coxed four — 1st place

In this category, four rowers propel the boat with sweep oars, one oar per rower, while one cox steers the boat. This year's winning team is:

Reito Yusa, 3rd year, Mechanical Engineering
Ichiro Oishi, 4th year, Earth and Planetary Sciences
Kenta Ishibashi, 3rd year, Chemical Science and Engineering
Kentaro Yaguchi, 2nd year, Materials Science and Engineering
Kosei Kumota, 2nd year, Computer Science

Comments from crew leader Ichiro Oishi

Although there was a time leading up to this year's regatta when injuries and illnesses slowed down our practice, we were able to keep our spirits high and win this competition. We will strive to maintain this momentum and achieve good results in the various competitions to come.