Award recipient, spearfisher KOSAKA Kunpei (Photo: Toyooka City)
A press conference was held on February 12 at the Global Hall, Surugadai Campus to announce the recipient of the 30th Uemura Naomi Adventure Award. The award, which aims to carry on the spirit of the late adventurer UEMURA Naomi (an Alpine Club member and 1964 graduate of the School of Agriculture) was presented to KOYAMA Kunpei, a spearfisher (graduated from Meiji University Meiji High School in 2014).
Mr. Kosaka, who currently holds six world records in spearfishing—hunting large fish using only free diving and a handheld spear—continues this pursuit without relying on modern equipment such as air tanks or underwater guns. He remains committed to the traditional method, confronting the sea solely with his body and mind. Last year, he captured an unprecedented dogtooth tuna weighing over 100 kilograms, an achievement that contributed to his receiving this award.
Upon receiving the award, Mr. Kosaka remarked, “I actually have a connection to Meiji University. After graduating from its affiliated junior and senior high schools, I went on to study marine science at Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology. I am truly delighted to return to Meiji, which played such an important role in my development.”
Marking its 30th anniversary this year, the Uemura Naomi Adventure Award honors individuals and groups whose creative actions open up unknown worlds and inspire dreams, hopes, and courage. Until now, the award has primarily recognized adventures in mountains, rivers, and polar regions, but this is the first time it has been given for an adventure involving a direct encounter with living creatures.
UEMURA Naomi is a world-renowned adventurer known for historic achievements, including becoming the first Japanese person to climb Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, summiting the highest peaks on five continents, and accomplishing a solo dog-sled expedition to the North Pole. In February 1984, he went missing after reporting via radio his world-first solo winter ascent of Mount McKinley (now Denali).
At the Ikuta Campus, home to the School of Agriculture, a monument honoring his achievements stands, watching over the students who set out into the world from Meiji University.
