06 December 2018

Kansai Corporate Team Ekiden Championship

Sash being passed from the first leg runner to the second
Sash being passed from the first leg runner to the second

On November 11, I went to watch the 61st Kansai Corporate Team Ekiden Championship (Ryujin-mura, Wakayama) to root for our athletic club. Finishing the race in 3rd place, once again this year our team earned the right to compete in the New Year Ekiden, held on January 1, as we had done last year.

I had heard that our team members were in such good condition this year that their victory was a feasible target, making me expect that I would see the team triumph. In the real world, though, things were not so easy. As well as our team, other teams were also striving to be victorious, meaning that all our team members need to train themselves even harder.

Cheering our team on together with staff members of Sumitomo Electric
Cheering our team on together with staff members of Sumitomo Electric

Our team's record of 4:00:37, however, was two minutes faster than its previous year's finish, the fastest ever in its history, so there is no need to be pessimistic. I feel that the entire Kansai region's athletics level is rising, which is very good in itself.

Delivering a message after the race
Delivering a message after the race

Our team's next race is the New Year Ekiden on January 1. At the beginning of this year, our team members competed at the same event, encouraging everyone who watched the race very much. I will go to Gunma again next year to cheer our team on.

I hope that all the members of our team continue training hard so that they can demonstrate their full capabilities on the day of the race. I would like to place expectations on them, while hoping that such expectations don't give them any extra pressure.

Finally, I would like to express my appreciation to our athletic club's members, coaches, and support staff members who prepared for the race, and all the members of the athletic community who supported the race.

Commemorative photo taken after the race
Commemorative photo taken after the race
Commemorative photo taken after the race

Latest Blog Articles

01 January 2024

23 January 2023

14 December 2021

29 October 2021

25 January 2021

22 June 2020

05 December 2019

29 November 2019

09 August 2019

12 June 2019

24 January 2019

03 December 2018

About This Blog

Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. President's blog is operated by the Company. Please note the about this blog.