Omi High School secured its second title in the 6th Best Profile Award, winning the fan-voted honor organized by the martial arts publication eJudo for the 48th National High School Judo Championships. The Shiga Prefecture school topped the men’s team division once again, following their victory at the previous Inter-High tournament, standing out among the competing schools that submitted team profiles to the platform.
The eJudo editorial department expanded the awards program for this edition by introducing the Editorial Department Special Award. That honor went to Tohoku High School from Miyagi Prefecture, which finished second in the voting after battling at the front of the early stages. To commemorate the achievements, the editorial staff shipped commemorative goods to both schools: an acrylic panel for Omi High School and an acrylic cube for Tohoku High School.
Captains Reflect on Historic Castles and Team Goals
Omi High School captain Ginji Ichihashi expressed mixed emotions about finishing the tournament without the ultimate team prize, while welcoming the recognition for the school’s online profile presentation. In a statement provided to eJudo, Ichihashi noted that the squad utilized the historic Hikone Castle—built about 420 years ago and a World Heritage candidate—as a backdrop for their photos, featuring local mascot Hikonyan.
The team result in the tournament wasn’t what we wanted because we couldn’t become the number one in Japan, but we are extremely happy to become number one in this Best Profile Award,
Ichihashi said through eJudo. We struck the Hikonyan pose at Hikone Castle, the historic landmark in Shiga Prefecture. If you have the chance, please visit Hikone Castle and take a picture with Hikonyan!
Fellow Omi captain Shota Uchino added that the group appreciates the backing they received from supporters across the country during the voting process. We received a frustrating result in the main tournament, but all the members will keep working hard in our daily training so we can remain a team that people want to cheer for,
Uchino said.
Tohoku High School Embraces Special Recognition
Tohoku High School captain Rai Suzuki voiced appreciation for the newly established Editorial Department Special Award after holding a strong position throughout the early voting period. Suzuki acknowledged that the squad fell short of its primary athletic goals at the Inter-High competition but welcomed the acknowledgment of their profile.
We didn’t achieve the results we aimed for at the Inter-High, but we are very happy to be evaluated highly in the ‘Best Profile’ category,
Suzuki said. Thank you very much! Please keep an eye on our next profile as well!
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