Japanese pride in masters rowing

The Toda International Masters Regatta is becoming a fixture of the masters rowing calendar not only in Japan but also throughout Asia. Raced on the 1964 Olympic course in Toda, Japan, the event is in its third year.

The regatta attracted 60 crews and 25 single scullers from Hong Kong, China and Singapore as well as Japan. Ten crews from the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club led the foreign contingent, followed by seven crews from Vanke Rowing Club from Shanghai, China. Japanese crews included a large contingent from the Mitsubishi Boat Club and MBC Partez, rowing on their home course, together with 20 other rowing clubs from Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya and other areas of Japan.

Japanese are known for their longevity. The average lifespan for Japanese women is around 86 years and for men around 79 years. Both numbers are the highest in the world. Many of the baby-boomers (born 1946 – 1950) have now started enjoying 'happy retirement'. Amongst the Japanese masters rowing population, the numbers have dramatically increased in the last five years with those enjoying rowing in their retirement.

Highlights of the regatta included the final of the Men’s B-D eight, when the Light Blues Rowing Club C held on for the win, fending off a furious finishing kick from Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club B, who just overtook Killer Whales Rowing Club C at the finish.  

Fifteen eights were fielded in the Masters E-H categories, including three eights in category I races with an average age of just over 75 years old. This shows the tremendous depth of masters rowing in Japan.

The oldest participant was 83 year-old Mr. Kotaro Horiuchi who won men’s single category I/J with nearly a world record time of 4:47.24.  Mr. Horiuchi targets to clinch the world title at the coming World Rowing Masters Regatta in Vienna, Austria in September.     

The chairman of the Regatta Committee Mr. Tanada expressed his strong hopes that more crews from Asia will participate in next year’s event and that the regatta will continue to grow in the years to come.

Copy thanks to Jun Tatsumi, Toda International Masters Regatta Committee

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