University of Tsukuba Students and Alumni cheer for Tsukuba Athletes at the 29th Summer Universiade Games in Taipei

Students from the University of Tsukuba cheering at the swimming competition

The 29th Universiade Games, also considered the Student Olympic Games, was held in Taipei, Taiwan on August 18-30, 2017. The University of Tsukuba was represented by 23 players in 10 different sports categories.

On August 23, students from our university who have been participating in the Summer Program at National Taiwan University, went to the swimming competition venue to support their fellow students. Garbed in vestments with our university colors and waving the Taiwan Alumni Association flag, they made their voices heard by cheering for our athletes, including Mr. Rintaro Okubo, who made it to the 200m male breaststroke finals.

On August 26, pineapple cakes, special Taiwanese specialty, were distributed to the Tsukuba delegation by members of the Taiwan Alumni Association.

As of August 28, Ms. Aimi Nouchi had won the gold in judo (63 kg weight division) and Ms. Yukina Hirayama got a bronze in the 50m female butterfly division, with a time of 26.51 seconds.

It was impressive to see not only the athletes, coach and team staff, but also other students, alumni and staff of the University of Tsukuba in Taiwan were all united in supporting the activities of our students outside of Japan.

University of Tsukuba Taiwan Alumni Association pineapple cake presentation

From left, Associate Prof Ryosuke Ohniwa (Director, Taiwan Office), Ms. Chia-Yao Lin (Taiwan Office staff), Prof Hua-Wei Lin (President, University of Tsukuba Taiwan Alumni Association & Deputy Director, Universiade Athlete Village), Associate Prof Koichi Watanabe (Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, Universiade HQ staff), and Mitsuo Tsukahara (Head of Japan Delegation to Universiade Taipei 2017).