(From left) President UENO, KITAJIMA Ryuzo, OIWA Yoshiaki, TOMOTO Kazuma and Chairman, Board of Trustees Yanagiya
On August 21, OIWA Yoshiaki (1999 graduate of the School of Commerce), TOMOTO Kazuma (2006 graduate of the School of Commerce), and KITAJIMA Ryuzo (2008 graduate of the School of Political Science and Economics), the bronze medalists in the equestrian team eventing at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and the members of the Meiji University Equestrian Club to which the three medalists formerly belonged, visited the Surugadai Campus to report to President UENO Masao and Chairman, Board of Trustees YANAGIYA Takashi on their bronze medal win and their competition at the Olympics.
This is the first time in 92 years, and second time in history, that Japan has won a medal in the equestrian competitions. This is also the first time Japan has won a medal in equestrian team eventing.
Comment from each player
OIWA Yoshiaki
I have participated in the Olympics five times. Like TOMOTO and KITAJIMA, I live in the UK and keep trying to compete except for the off-season due to snow. As we have been trying for a long time, we have had many people supporting us. I am very happy to finally be able to bring home a medal.
TOMOTO Kazuma
The current team members have been the same since the 2018 World Equestrian Games. I think it is unique to this sport that we can compete as a national team for such a long time.
KITAJIMA Ryuzo
The national team members of equestrian team eventing are selected based on their performance in individual events. Therefore, each member believes that only the players who are competent as individuals will compete in the national team. At the same time, however, we have a strong sense of camaraderie because we compete together in the same field for many years. That’s why I am especially happy that we won a medal in the team event.
Horses are also awarded medals in equestrian team eventing, in which both riders and horses compete together. On the table is a medal awarded to a horse
After the courtesy visit, the three players took a walk around the campus. A commemorative photograph was taken in front of the banner hung on the Academy Common on the Surugadai Campus to celebrate their bronze medal win.
Taking a commemorative photo in front of the hanging banner
The “Neary old Japan” Olympic team members, who never gave up on their dream, gave the keyword “Dreaming”