On 2 July, the University of Tokyo (UTokyo) hosted opening ceremonies for the 2016 season of two intercollegiate athletic competitions -- Sosei-sen ("battle of two blues"), comprised of a series of games between UTokyo and Kyoto University, and the Seven Universities Athletic Meet (7-Univ), in which seven Japanese national universities take part.
The Sosei-sen ceremony took place in the morning, with UTokyo and KU cheerleading squads delivering energetic performances, and representatives of both universities pledging to do their best to make the 2016 season successful.
The ceremony for the 55th Seven Universities Athletic Meet was held in the afternoon with three KU officials in attendance -- President Juichi Yamagiwa, Professor Shinsuke Kawazoe, executive vice-president for student affairs and library services, and Professor Kazuyuki Moriya, chair of the KU Sports Union.
First, representatives of defending champion Tohoku University returned the pennant and trophy to UTokyo President Makoto Gonokami, who is chairing the 55th 7-Univ. Next, on behalf of the host, UTokyo's baseball captain made a pledge for fair play. This was followed by "Ichiko", the mascot for the competition, being introduced to the audience. Finally, UTokyo's Hakuyo Choir and cheer squad performed on stage.
A reception followed at Gakushikaikan, where attendees enjoyed socializing with each other while the presidents of the seven universities delivered humor-filled speeches and UTokyo student clubs provided live entertainment.
UTokyo baseball captain Katsushi Yamamoto pledging fair play at the Sosei-sen opening ceremony
Cheerleading performance at the Sosei-sen opening ceremony
7-Univ representatives opening a sake cask ( kagami-wari ) to celebrate the competitions
7-Univ mascot "Ichiko" being introduced to the opening ceremony audience
