In order to promote ``virtual sports,'' which are online competitions, in Japan and spread the sport, people from beginners to top athletes participated remotely from all over the country. A rowing competition was held.
The tournament was held by the Japan Rowing Association, and approximately 600 people, from beginners to top athletes, participated remotely from all over the country, with the event hall in Toda City, Saitama Prefecture being the main venue.
Individual competitions and team competitions of four people were then held, with participants competing for the best time in a virtual race using boat training equipment.
The status of the race, including the rankings, was displayed on a screen connected online, and the participants were able to check the differences with their rivals and aim for victory and records, just as they would in a real race.
In the men's team competition, the NTT East Japan team, which includes top-class athletes in Japan, won in their first appearance.Yuta Takano of the NTT East Rowing Club said, ``I'm honestly happy and it was a lot of fun. ``It was a good experience because I don't have a lot of other things like that,'' he said.
Masakuni Hosobuchi, executive director of the Japan Rowing Association, said, ``The advantage is that people can participate from anywhere in the country, and I hope that as many people as possible can enjoy rowing, which will lead to the spread of the sport. As a group, we want to move forward proactively."
Regarding "virtual sports," the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is considering using them in the future Olympics in order to increase interest in sports among the younger generation, and last year there are moves such as holding a world championship. It's becoming more active.