Erimo Junior High athletes honored ahead of Hokkaido tournaments

A farewell ceremony was held in Erimo, Hokkaido, to honor student athletes preparing for prefectural-level competitions.

The Erimo Junior High School baseball team, a joint team formed with schools from Urakawa and Shimamune due to declining student numbers, has qualified for the South Hokkaido regional tournament of the 18th All Japan Junior Spring Soft Baseball Tournament.

Additionally, first-year student Seina Kumano has qualified for the Hokkaido Junior High School Newcomer Athletics Championships after securing first place in both the 100m sprint and long jump at the Tomakomai regional meet.

During the ceremony, Erimo Mayor Masaki Onishi praised the athletes for overcoming logistical challenges caused by the school merger and provided financial support to assist with their travel expenses.