Kira Tsuya Girls Triumph at OKINAWA CLEAN CHALLENGE CUP 2025

On February 22, 2026, the exciting finale of the OKINAWA CLEAN CHALLENGE CUP 2025 took place at the Urasoe City Hall, a grand event organized by Ryukyu Corazon in collaboration with the E-Sports GOMI organizing committee. Twelve teams, comprising 36 participants who had fought through various preliminary rounds, gathered to compete in a unique waste collection challenge that combined competitive spirit with community service.

This year's competition revolved around e-Sports GOMI, an innovative initiative aimed at raising awareness of marine litter issues globally. Participants, divided into teams of three, raced against the clock to collect waste, earning points based on the volume and type of rubbish they gathered. This exciting blend of gaming and environmental conservation allowed individuals of all ages to engage in community cleaning while participating in a spirited competition.

The event unfolded over two segments, with teams maximizing their time to scavenge for waste in the vicinity of the Urasoe City Hall. Notably, a parallel Puyo Puyo e-Sports tournament added a layer of entertainment, fostering interaction among participants.

Results

The champions, Kira Tsuya Girls, achieved remarkable success by collecting 30.06 kg of waste and accumulating 3,700 points. Their determined efforts not only led to their victory but also earned them complimentary tickets to a Ryukyu Corazon away game, complete with round-trip airfare as a prize. Following them were Watanabe Atsu Shizu in second place with 21.44 kg and 3,176 points, and OKINAWA Pisco Maru in third place with 10.68 kg and 2,214 points.

A total of 115.83 kg of waste was collected by all teams during the finale, contributing to an impressive 321.6 kg accumulated over the entire year, including the preliminary stages held across Okinawa’s cities, including Okinawa City and Ishigaki City.

Reflections from the Winners

The Kira Tsuya Girls expressed their strategic approach to waste collection, stating, "We aimed for areas that were less frequented by others to gather more rubbish! Despite one member's absence, we approached this challenge with a strong determination to win! We'll be back next year as defending champions!"

Organizer's Remarks

The event was not just a competition; it also served as a profound reminder of the importance of environmental awareness. The organizers from Ryukyu Corazon expressed gratitude to all participants and sponsors, underscoring the unprecedented enthusiasm that marked this tournament. They were amazed by the sheer volume of waste collected, even in relatively clean areas, reinforcing the significance of community efforts towards environmental conservation.

The success of the OKINAWA CLEAN CHALLENGE CUP has paved the way for scaling up this initiative, with aspirations to extend its reach beyond Okinawa, both to other prefectures and internationally in the future. As the organizers put it, "We hope to make this an even more enjoyable and impactful event next year. Here's to more environmentally friendly competitions in the future!"