Seven Soka University students, as representatives of Japan, participated in the first-ever Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU) Cheerleading World University Championship held from October 5 to 6 (local time) in Lodz City, Poland. In this competition, the duo, Mr. Masaki Matsuo (Faculty of Letters, junior) and Mr. Koichi Omoto (Faculty of Education, junior) participated in the “Team Cheer Hip Hop Doubles” category as a Soka University team. Also, 17 students from “WORLDWINGS 2WDC,” including Mr. Matsuo, Mr. Omoto, Mr. Koichi Senoshita (Faculty of Education, junior), Ms. Manami Mori (Faculty of Business Administration, sophomore), Ms. Atsuki Kuwashima (Faculty of Business Administration, freshman), Ms. Koji Shimokawa (Faculty of Business Administration, freshman), and Ms. Satsuki Sugiyama (Faculty of Business Administration, freshman), participated in the “Team Cheer Team Hip Hop” category, representing Japan.

The FISU was established with the goal of expanding the roles and extent of university sports around the world. It believes that the values and practicing of sports have a complete synergy effect with the spirit of various universities, and proposes that the health, welfare, and experiences that students gain through university sports are valuable for these athletes to become representatives in the social realm.
This competition was the first-ever cheerleading World University Championships. Currently, in the sport known as “cheerleading,” approximately 3.5 million people are registered in the FISU from 110 countries and regions.

The duo of Mr. Matsuo and Mr. Omoto won 1st place (gold medal) in the “Team Cheer Hip Hop Doubles” category, and the 17 students of “WORLDWINGS 2WDC,” a representative team from Japan, also won 1st place (gold medal) in the “Team Cheer Team Hip Hop” category.

Mr. Matsuo, who served as the captain of the Japan representatives at this competition, shared some thoughts: “It was the first time for me to compete shouldering the name ‘Soka University,’ and I felt pressure, but I danced with all my might so as to leave behind a good result. I was able to perform without any regret, and it is thanks to everyone’s support that I was able to perform without such. I imbued my sense of appreciation in my dance. I was genuinely happy. When the results were announced, immediately, the feeling of “thank you” for all my teammates, who strove together, welled forth from my heart, and I felt that I was able to repay my debt of gratitude to them, even slightly. As there is still more to grow as a dancer and as a human being, I am determined to further grow and develop. In the next competition as well, we will aim to win four consecutive titles in doubles and three consecutive titles as a team. We will definitely win.”
Mr. Omoto said: “We were able to participate this time as Soka University’s and Japan’s representatives. It was a wonderful opportunity to share Soka University with the rest of the world. I refreshed my determination to grow into a proud Soka University student. At the final competition, I wanted to enjoy it and was determined to deliver our power to the entire world. I felt so refreshed as I concluded the dance with no regrets. I don’t know about my future, but I am determined to grow beyond my current self. When I heard the announcement of the championship, I felt that we gained global approval as Soka University students. More than winning a championship, I was happy to perform without leaving behind any regret and receiving wonderful responses from so many people around us.”

The results of each competition are as follows.
“Team Cheer Hip Hop Doubles” category
1st place: Japan
2nd place: Thailand
3rd place: Taiwan

“Team Cheer Team Hip Hop” category
1st place: Japan
2nd place: Australia
3rd place: Russia