Japan masters compete on Tokyo Olympic course

The masters regatta combined with the local ‘Toda Regatta’ which gave the masters rowers a chance to race in open events as well. For the masters regatta there were 48 crews and for the Toda regatta 120 crews took part. This number of entries – made up of high school, college and club teams – was a record number of participants and included some of the best rowers in Japan. The women’s single was won by Beijing Olympian (lightweight women’s double) Misaki Kumakura.

Also with Olympic experience was Mr. Nomura who was part of the winning men’s eight. Nomura competed in the Seoul Olympic Games. Olympians from the Tokyo Olympics, Mr. Mandai, Mr. Fukuda and Mr. Murai raced in the masters regatta along with Mr. Horiuchi who was the Japanese rowing coach at both the Rome and Tokyo Olympic Games.

The men’s eight had the most entries in the masters regatta with nearly half of the total entries competing in this event. As has been common in recent years, the Mitsubishi Boat Club had the most number of rowers and they finished as the most successful club.

Japan Rowing Association’s Naomi Wakasa commented, “Mainly from Asia we usually have lots of rowing friends. This time they refrained from participating because of concerns from the East Japan earthquake that just occurred less than two months ago. However we had 48 crews which was more than usual.”

Wakasa commented that overseas entries were likely to return again next year. “Participation from overseas has been increasing, such is the nostalgic taste again for the Olympic Games in Tokyo.”