Woman of the Year Grand Prize Wakaba Goto (Waseda University) receiving the trophy from Mai Mihara (figure skating)
On March 11th (Monday) at Shinagawa Intercity Hall, certificates, medals, and trophies were presented to the winners of the Grand Prize and Excellence Award for a total of 13 courses: 8 courses for individuals and 5 courses for groups. On the day of the event, the Ritsumeikan University Cheerleading Club PEEWEES won second place in the DIVISION 1 mixed division of the All Japan Student Cheerleading Championship! (Pee Wees) and Tohoku University street dance circle WHO, who won the Japan Dancers’ Championship 2024 Final runner-up, gave wonderful performances and celebrated the winners.
◆Please see below for a list of award winners in each category.
On the occasion of “UNIVAS AWARDS 2023-24” (UNIVAS Chairman Norihiko Fukuhara)
UNIVAS President Norihiko Fukuhara giving the opening speech
Sports are activities that are essential to the sincere, healthy, and noble sustainability and evolution of humanity, and are activities that people have cherished in all eras and societies. On the other hand, universities play an irreplaceable role in developing and passing on the wisdom and power of humanity, building a knowledge-based society, and creating the time and space to support the sustainability and evolution of humanity. Historically, modern sports in Japan flourished in universities, which led the way, and to this day universities have played a major role in participating in and managing international and domestic competitions, including the Olympics. .
In this sense, there is no denying that university sports have great social value. However, in modern society where human society has become more sophisticated and values have become more complex and intertwined, university sports are faced with many challenges, and the reality is that the nature of university sports is being questioned in a variety of situations. Last year, scandals such as drug-related scandals occurred in university athletic clubs, and as a result of these scandals, the governance of educational corporations and universities has also been questioned. It is no exaggeration to say that we are now in a time to reaffirm and rebuild the value and role of university sports. UNIVAS will support students to learn various things from university sports, make the most of that knowledge, and develop the necessary human skills. By continually developing and improving the environment surrounding university sports, we hope to broadly convey the value and excitement that university sports generate, and increase their social significance.
Today, we received 154 applications for UNIVAS AWARDS 2023-24. Through the application process, I was moved to see so many athletic club students engaged in various activities and growing through trial and error, and it was extremely difficult to choose among them. The fact that the university and sports organizations have contributed to the great growth of the students, watching over them warmly and sometimes giving them strict guidance has given them a great deal of confidence, and there is no doubt that this will be useful in society in the future.
I know that this award is just a temporary activity, but today I would like to congratulate all the award recipients together, and I sincerely wish everyone who attended the event their continued success and good health. . Congratulations to all the award winners.
■Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award “Man of the Year” Grand Prize Winner Yu Yamashita (Ritsumeikan University, American Football Club)
Man of the Year Award Yu Yamashita (Ritsumeikan University American Football Club)
“Thank you very much for hosting such a grand awards ceremony today.I am very honored to receive the top award for Man of the Year.I was able to receive this award because of all the people who supported me. I strongly feel that I am indebted to all the people who have supported me and the wonderful environment of Ritsumeikan.In university life, I was able to find the fun of connecting academics, sports, and personal life, which are often thought of as separate. I would like to continue accumulating virtue, which is one of the things I value.”
■Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award “Woman of the Year” Grand Prize Winner Wakaba Goto (Waseda University, Women’s A-style Soccer Club)
Woman of the Year Grand Prize Wakaba Goto (Waseda University Women’s American Soccer Club)
“I am very happy to receive this award.When I graduated from high school, I was unsure whether to rise to the top of my team or go to university, but I’m really glad I chose Waseda University.” I would be happy if I could help my juniors, who are unsure about their career path, become interested in university sports even just a little bit.I will continue to do my best without forgetting my gratitude.”
■Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award “Para Athlete of the Year” Grand Prize Winner Meika Fujiwara (Bukkyo University, Ice Skating Club)
Para Athlete of the Year Grand Prize Meika Fujiwara (Bukkyo University Ice Skating Club)
“I play a sport called para ice hockey, and I am one of only a few people in Japan, so I am happy that such a minor sport was recognized, and that through this recognition, people can learn about women’s para ice hockey.” Even after I became physically disabled due to an unknown illness in the summer of my second year of university, I am passionate about para sports, and am very happy to be able to learn about university life and go to school like other students. I am able to live this life thanks to the support of many people, and I would especially like to thank the faculty and staff at Bukkyo University for their support. Thank you very much for receiving this wonderful award today.”
◆Alumni Award Toyota Motor Corporation Representative Director and Chairman Akio Toyoda
Alumni Award Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda
Ichiro once said this to me. “They say a crisis is an opportunity, but a crisis is a crisis, right? That’s what I think…But Akio-san jumps into the middle of a crisis, and that turns out to be a big opportunity. …” What Ichiro said reminded me of when I played hockey in college. When I’m in a pinch, I need to move my body before my head…I need to jump into the center of danger…If I don’t do that, I won’t be able to protect my team or myself…I learned this with my body. I think he has continued to do this even after becoming a member of society. Just go in the direction you want, and if you realize that it’s a mistake, you can correct it right there. And if you can make your actions the correct answer in the end, that’s fine. I think it’s true that we are in a pinch. However, if I say I’m in a pinch, that’s the end of it. So I just kept moving my body. In this way, I realized that it was because I played sports that I was able to be myself.
By receiving this award, I was able to look back on my past 50 years.
Thank you very much for receiving this very prestigious award.
Photos of each award winner are below.
◆Supporting Staff of the Year Grand Prize: Mai Noda (Shunan Public University/Chugoku-Shikoku Student Archery Federation)
Supporting Staff of the Year and Takumi Matsumoto (Japan Deaf Soccer National Team)
◆Rookie of the Year Grand Prize: Miu Kurashige (Konan University, Women’s Track and Field Club)
Sportsmanship of the Year Award Winner and Natsumi Tsunoda (Women’s Judo 48kg Class)
◆Sportsmanship of the Year Grand Prize: Izuki Yoshikawa (Pacific University of the Pacific, Athletics Club)
Sportsmanship of the Year
◆Coach of the Year Grand Prize: Nobuaki Nishimura (Pacific University of the Pacific Men’s Softball Club Coach)
Coach of the Year
◆Tohoku University Street Dance Circle WHO
Tohoku University Street Dance Circle WHO
◆Mynavi Award “Excellent Initiatives in Human Resource Development Support” Grand Prize: Hagoromo International University
Mynavi Award
◆KEI Advance Award “Excellent Initiatives in Academic Support” Grand Prize: Aichi Gakuin University
KEI Advance Award
◆MS&AD Award “Excellent Initiatives in Ensuring Safety” Grand Prize: Niigata University of Health and Welfare
MS&AD Award
◆KDDI Award “Excellent Initiatives in Competitions and Promotions” Grand Prize: Nishinippon Institute of Technology
KDDI Award
◆Sports Management Department/SA Award Grand Prize: Toyo University
Sports Management Department/SA Award
◆Ritsumeikan University Cheer Team Cheerleader Club PEEWEES!
Ritsumeikan University Cheer Team Cheerleader Club PEEWEES!
◆Para Athlete of the Year
Para Athlete of the Year award book and Yoko Zetterlund
◆Woman of the Year
Woman of the Year Award Winner and Mai Mihara (Figure Skating)
◆Man of the Year
Man of the Year Award Winner and UNIVAS Vice President Yuko Arimori
◆About UNIVAS
The University Sports Association, a general incorporated association, was established in March 2019 with the aim of promoting university sports. We are working to improve the learning environment, create an environment where people can compete safely and with peace of mind, and increase the value of university sports as a whole.
2024-03-15 06:13:15
#UNIVAS #AWARDS #Ritsumeikan #Universitys #Yamaguchi #Waseda #Universitys #Wakaba #Goto #Bukkyo #Universitys #Meika #Fujiwara #received #top #prize #Toyota #Chairman #Akio #Toyoda #receives #Alumni #Award
