#Japan #Nagoya #BMX Racing #JPF

BMX School Visits Launched in Nagoya

Starting in June, a new initiative titled "BMX School Visits" kicked off in Nagoya, aimed at discovering young athletes in the sport of BMX. This program is managed by JPF, a Tokyo-based company under CEO Shuntaro Watanabe, in collaboration with the Nagoya Cycling Association. The BMX racing course, known as NAGOYA KEIRIN BMX, will visit 15 elementary schools across the city as part of the municipal sports promotion efforts.

The first two schools to participate were Ikatsu Elementary School and Fukuyama Elementary School in Showa Ward, where the acclaimed BMX racers Ryota Nakabayashi and Nagisa Nomura shared their experiences with students. The special sessions comprised two segments: a career talk and a BMX experience workshop.

Purpose and Goals of the Project

Nagoya is keen to promote urban sports while scouting for future athletes, a cause JPF wholeheartedly supports. The company aims to contribute back to the community through its resources—including the sport of BMX, world-class athletes, and state-of-the-art facilities. The initiative intends to broaden children's horizons and inspire them to pursue their dreams through firsthand experiences and interactions with top athletes.

Highlights of the Special Classes

Part 1: Career Talk
During the career talk titled "Challenges and Joys of Pursuing Your Dreams," Ryota Nakabayashi and Nagisa Nomura related their personal experiences of facing and overcoming significant obstacles throughout their competitive careers. They stressed the importance of resilience and provided insights into the passion that drives them even when times get tough. Engaging in a lively quiz format allowed children to actively participate and express themselves, all while sharing the excitement of chasing dreams.

Part 2: BMX Experience and Demonstration
The second part featured exhilarating demonstrations by Ryota Nakabayashi, showcasing breathtaking jumps on the pump track, which stirred excitement among the audience. Following this, children eagerly hopped onto their BMX bikes to experience the thrill of riding on the pump track. Despite initial apprehensions, many quickly found their balance and expressed energizing enthusiasm, with comments like "This was fun! I want to do it again!" reverberating around the track.

Profiles of Instructors

Ryota Nakabayashi

• - Hometown: Saitama Prefecture
• - Age: 23
• - Achievements: Member of the Japanese BMX Racing Team, winner of the U23 class at the 2025 Asia BMX Racing Championships.

Nagisa Nomura

• - Hometown: Osaka Prefecture
• - Age: 23
• - Achievements: Member of the Japanese BMX Racing Team, runner-up in the U23 class at the 2024 Asia BMX Racing Championships.

Future Plans

The NAGOYA KEIRIN BMX plans to continue visiting various elementary schools in the city, utilizing the combined strengths of facilities, competitions, and athletes to instill a love for urban sports in children. Through this effort, they seek to support local educational programs and the healthy development of young individuals in the community.

About NAGOYA KEIRIN BMX

NAGOYA KEIRIN BMX is a BMX racing course meeting international standards, collaboratively developed by the Nagoya Cycling Association and JPF, with overall management by JPF. The course spans 330 meters and features a 5-meter starting hill, permanent stands with 156 seats, and a clubhouse, having opened to general users on August 31, 2025. In addition to training competitive riders, it offers programs for beginners and community events, promoting BMX accessibility for all ages.

About JPF

Founded in 1950, JPF pioneered the slit camera for finishing order determination in public sports, contributing to many competitions across Japan. Since 2010, JPF has expanded its operations to total management services for public sports facilities. With a mission to provide opportunities for personal growth, JPF actively engages in various initiatives including local revitalization and cycling sports promotion.

For further inquiries, please contact:
JPF NAGOYA KEIRIN BMX
Email: [email protected]