others
2022.03.10
[ Editorial department ]
In 2021, Masayuki Iwade, who led Teikyo University to the number one university in Japan, introduced and announced his successor director at a meeting held on March 10 at Teikyo University Kasumigaseki Campus. Tomokazu Soma (current team adviser / former Panasonic Scrum coach and team coordinator) has officially been appointed as the new coach of the Teikyo University Rugby Club, which once won the university’s 9th consecutive title under Director Iwade.
“I have been a director for 26 years. Mr. Soma was a first-year student in my first year in office,” said Iwade. He says he has been wondering who to replace him in the last decade or so. He decided to entrust the director because of Mr. Soma’s love and qualities at his alma mater.
Mr. Soma, who was the head coach of the top league Panasonic until two years ago, went to coach juniors every time following graduating from university. Mr. Iwade has determined a successor from multiple candidates, but from a certain time, he turned to Mr. Soma while consulting with his successor. Mr. Soma, who received the offer, said that he responded, “If Panasonic becomes the best in Japan.”
Panasonic won the top league championship in 2020, and in March 2021, Director Iwade asked Mr. Soma to assume the post of director. Mr. Iwade, who was willing to take over following one season, appointed Mr. Soma as an advisor.
“I’m biting the happiness of having a successor,” says Iwade. Mr. Iwade’s future activities were announced separately on the same day.
◆ Masayuki Iwade Announcement of retirement immediately following winningHere
PROFILE
Masayuki Iwade / Born February 21, 1958, 64 years old. Professor, Department of Sports Medicine, Faculty of Medical Science and Technology, Teikyo University / Shingu High School → Nikkei University → Shiga Prefectural Faculty and Staff → Teikyo University. At Nippon Sport Science University, he led the team to victory as captain (1978), and following graduating he became a high school leader. He led Yawata Kokou and fought in the flower garden. After working as a high school representative from Japan, he has been a director of Teikyo University since 1996. He has been in command for 26 years and has won the university championship 10 times. He stands out in a rivalry group crowded with traditional schools such as Soukei Akira, and from 2009 he has set a gold standard for nine consecutive victories. His active position is FL
Tomokazu Soma
PROFILE Soma Tomokazu / Born June 5, 1977, 44 years old. From April, Lecturer (Sport Psychology), Department of Sports Medicine, Faculty of Medical Technology, Teikyo University / Tokyo High School-Teikyo University-Sanyo Denki (later Panasonic Wild Nights / now Saitama Wild Nights). He became a Scrum coach in 2014 and a head coach in 2017. He has won the Japan Championship and the Top League as a player and instructor.In the active era
