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I have acquired the ability to respond flexibly to changing situations.

Yuiri Takahashi, 3rd year student, School of Social Sciences

I am the manager of the Waseda University Rowing Club.​

On Sunday, April 13, 2025, the 94th Waseda-Keio Intercollegiate Rowing Tournament (commonly known as the Waseda-Keio Regatta) was held between Shin-Ohashi and Sakurabashi on the Sumida River in Tokyo. The Waseda-Keio Regatta is a traditional tournament that has been held every spring since 1905, and is considered one of the "three major Waseda-Keio games" along with baseball and rugby. It is also known as one of the "three major regattas in the world," along with the Oxford University vs. Cambridge University regatta in the UK and the Harvard University vs. Yale University regatta in the US.

Regattas are races in which rowers use oars to row their boats and compete for speed. When people hear the word "rowing," many of them probably imagine a rowboat in a park, but a major feature of racing boats is that the seats slide back and forth. This allows rowers to use their legs to propel the boat while using the oars as the axis of rotation, and speeds during races can exceed 20km per hour.

On the day of the tournament, athletes from both Waseda and Keio University raced in heated contests on the 3,750m course, each putting their pride on the line. The results of the previous matches were close, with Waseda University winning 49 times, Keio University winning 41 times, and one tie, but this year Waseda won all three events, the Men's Intercollegiate Eight, Men's Second Eight, and Women's Intercollegiate Eight, achieving a perfect victory for the first time in seven years! They were also able to achieve a memorable 50th victory.

The moment when the "Intercollegiate Eight", the star event of the Waseda-Keio Regatta, won. There are eight rowers and one coxswain on board.

In this event, I was in charge of managing the event as the student general affairs officer of the organizing committee. The general affairs duties are wide-ranging, including filing applications and visiting relevant parties, coordinating the race schedule, and arranging for necessary equipment. Starting about six months before the event, together with alumni and the general affairs officer at Keio University, we visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Sumida, Taito, Koto, Chuo Ward Office, the Metropolitan Police Department, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, and other relevant parties to request support and cooperation, as well as companies to sponsor the event. We also applied for the waterway use permits necessary to hold the race on the Sumida River.

Carrying out these duties while also managing the Rowing Club's daily activities and studying was much harder than I had imagined. However, the race on the Sumida River is a special stage given only to the Waseda-Keio Regatta, with 120 years of tradition and trust. I worked hard to ensure that such a historic event was a success.

Things don't always go as planned

Even when I thought preparations were going smoothly, unexpected problems would occur, and these challenges continued right up until the day of the competition. On the day, it was raining and multiple problems occurred simultaneously. My smartphone was ringing all day, and I was busy trying to deal with them.

When something unforeseen happens, as the tournament organizer, I need to decide the next steps quickly and accurately and give instructions to the people involved. I was so busy responding that I barely had time to watch the races, but I was filled with a deep sense of relief and accomplishment when we were able to complete all the races safely in cooperation with alumni, club members, and all the other parties involved.

Team Waseda cheering on the riverbank just before the race started

Through this experience, I learned that no matter how carefully you prepare, things don't always go according to plan and it depends on how the day unfolds. It is difficult to deal with such unexpected events appropriately by simply carrying out the tasks you are given. You must always look ahead, act by anticipating possible situations, and respond flexibly according to the circumstances. In the past, I would sometimes be shaken by unexpected situations, but the experience of managing this tournament allowed me to acquire these skills in a practical way, which led to great growth for me personally.

What I also realized through the tournament was that our activities are made possible thanks to the support of so many people. The tournament would not have been possible without the cooperation of our alumni, local residents, and various related organizations.

Next year, I will continue to be in charge of managing the entire tournament as the general affairs officer of the organizing school. Using the experience I gained this year, I will strive to ensure smoother and safer tournament operations and contribute to Waseda's second consecutive victory. I would like to continue to grow as a person while being grateful for the wonderful environment I have been given.

Members of the Waseda University Rowing Club at the closing ceremony.