Keio University wins 92nd Waseda-Keio Regatta

Japan’s version of the Cambridge-Oxford Boat Race is over a century old, and known as ‘The Regatta’. It showcases the sport rivalry between Waseda University and Keio University. It was first raced in 1905 in Tokyo, on the Sumida River, the very first regatta course in Japan. Several editions were cancelled during World War II, and the regatta had to be relocated for many years due to pollution, but it was brought back to the Sumida River in 1978.

The Regatta hosted the 92nd edition on 16 April. The men’s race starts in the popular tourist district of Asakusa in downtown Tokyo and continues 3750m upstream on the Sumida River.

Keio University won the men’s eights race in a time of 13:11.57, with a 4 length lead over Waseda. Waseda University won the women’s race, which is raced in Coxed Fours over a distance of 1000m. They finished in a time of 3:41.63 with a 4 length lead over Keio.

After the race, Keio University captain Shuhei Morimoto commented:  “The team is glad to race on the Sumida in front of the spectators, we have missed them so much.  We were able to handle the rough water of Sumida after numerous training sessions.”  New head coach, Masaya Konaka added,  “Our crew had a great start of the race, managed to obtain the lead as our racing plan until the end for a perfect race.”