Tokyo Tech third at 108th National and Public University DanceSport Championships

Comments from club captain

Saki Sakurai

3rd year, Life Science and Technology

This was the first contest of 2020, and the Tokyo Tech Ballroom Dance Club finished in third place. While our goal was to take a second successive victory after the win last year, competition from rival universities was tough and I am very happy with this result.

Individual couples also compete for rankings, but the real thrill of these student competitions is in the group performance. Our club aims to improve the overall level of all our dancers, regardless of their expertise. Therefore, it is very important to consider not only yourself and your pair, but also to acknowledge the other club members seeking improvement around you.

I think this mentality can be applied effectively in both club activities and learning in the lab. The Tokyo Tech Ballroom Dance Club will continue to build an environment where its members can gain valuable experiences on and off the dance floor.

Finalists and semi-finalists at 108th National and Public University DanceSport Championships

Photo courtesy of Misa Momokawa

International Standard

Shunsuke Tanaka, 3rd year, Life Science and Technology
Miyu Ito, Shirayuri University
2nd in tango, 5th in waltz, 7th in foxtrot, 7th in quickstep for 2nd and 3rd-year students

Shunsuke Tanaka, 3rd year, Life Science and Technology Miyu Ito, Shirayuri University
2nd in tango, 5th in waltz, 7th in foxtrot, 7th in quickstep for 2nd and 3rd-year students

Haruki Watanabe, 2nd year, Materials Science and Engineering
Nanaka Matsumoto, Sugino Fashion College
7th in waltz, 11th in foxtrot, 12th in quickstep, 13th in tango for 2nd and 3rd-year students

Haruki Watanabe, 2nd year, Materials Science and Engineering Nanaka Matsumoto, Sugino Fashion College
7th in waltz, 11th in foxtrot, 12th in quickstep, 13th in tango for 2nd and 3rd-year students

Kohei Ichinose, 1st year, School of Environment and Society
Rie Masukawa, 3rd year, Mathematical and Computing Sciences
1st in tango for 1st-year students

Kohei Ichinose, 1st year, School of Environment and Society Rie Masukawa, 3rd year, Mathematical and Computing Sciences
1st in tango for 1st-year students

Nozomi Ogawa, 1st year, School of Science
Airi Kodama, Shirayuri University
3rd in tango for 1st-year students

Nozomi Ogawa, 1st year, School of Science Airi Kodama, Shirayuri University
3rd in tango for 1st-year students

Shin Ogino, 1st year, School of Mat1rials and Chemical Technology
Yoko Suzuki, Shirayuri University
6th in tango for 1st-year students

Shin Ogino, 1st year, School of Materials and Chemical Technology Yoko Suzuki, Shirayuri University
6th in tango for 1st-year students

Raphaelo Mondragon, 2nd year, Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering
Haruka Kawachi, Shirayuri University
10th in tango for 1st-year students

Raphaelo Mondragon, 2nd year, Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering Haruka Kawachi, Shirayuri University
10th in tango for 1st-year students

Kohei Ichinose, 1st year, School of Environment and Society
Dulguun Tsumbuukhuu, 3rd year, Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering
3rd in foxtrot for 1st-year students

Kohei Ichinose, 1st year, School of Environment and Society Dulguun Tsumbuukhuu, 3rd year, Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering
3rd in foxtrot for 1st-year students

Nozomi Ogawa, 1st year, School of Science
Rina Yamaguchi, Shirayuri University
6th in foxtrot for 1st-year students

Nozomi Ogawa, 1st year, School of Science Rina Yamaguchi, Shirayuri University
6th in foxtrot for 1st-year students

Shin Ogino, 1st year, School of Materials and Chemical Technology
Chiharu Kimura, Shirayuri University
6th in foxtrot for 1st-year students

Shin Ogino, 1st year, School of Materials and Chemical Technology Chiharu Kimura, Shirayuri University
6th in foxtrot for 1st-year students

International Style Latin

Kaido Suzuki, 3rd year, Physics
Saki Sakurai, 3rd year, Life Science and Technology
9th in samba, 9th in paso doble for 2nd and 3rd-year students

Kaido Suzuki, 3rd year, Physics Saki Sakurai, 3rd year, Life Science and Technology
9th in samba, 9th in paso doble for 2nd and 3rd-year students

Toshiya Sugimura, 3rd year, Earth and Planetary Sciences
Himawari Ajiri, Shirayuri University
9th in rumba for 2nd and 3rd-year students

Toshiya Sugimura, 3rd year, Earth and Planetary Sciences Himawari Ajiri, Shirayuri University
9th in rumba for 2nd and 3rd-year students

Nozomi Ogawa, 1st year, School of Science
Chiharu Kimura, Shirayuri University
7th in samba for 1st-year students

Nozomi Ogawa, 1st year, School of Science Chiharu Kimura, Shirayuri University
7th in samba for 1st-year students

DanceSport

DanceSport is competitive ballroom dancing where couples are evaluated by a panel of judges. Collegiate championships have three main categories ― International Style Standard and Latin, and formation dance. International Standard includes waltz, tango, foxtrot, and quickstep, during which couples traditionally dance in closed positions. International Latin consists of samba, cha-cha, rumba, and paso doble, and often involves men and women dancing in more open positions. Formation dance* is a choreographed team dance consisting of a medley of between two and four International Style dances, which involves four to eight couples.

※While formation dance features in other competitions, it is not a component of the National and Public University Championships.