#Japan #Tokyo #Red Bull #Jinrikisha #Ayumu Kobayashi

Inaugural Red Bull Jinrikisha Championship

On October 9 and 10, 2025, the bustling city of Nakano, Tokyo, hosted Japan’s first-ever human-pulled rickshaw competition, the "Red Bull Jinrikisha." Organized by Red Bull Japan, this unique event not only brought spectators to the sidelines but also provided a platform for rickshaw pullers aged 18 to 54 from all over Japan to demonstrate their speed and skills.

The competition saw participation from 55 rickshaw pullers, with renowned areas such as Asakusa and Kyoto represented alongside numerous other picturesque locations including Ibaraki, Nagano, Ishikawa, Gifu, Ehime, and Nagasaki. Each contender competed in a preliminary round on October 9, racing down a straight 100 meters to qualify for the finals. The top 20 times advanced to the final day, which featured a challenging obstacle course designed under the supervision of Gump Suzuki, a rickshaw pulling legend who has accomplished an Africa-crossing journey.

As excitement filled the air, the competitors tackled a series of demanding sections that included the “Big Slope,” “Giant Can,” “Rapid Acceleration,” and “Emergency Brake.” Each rickshaw puller showcased not only their speed but also their exceptional control and technique while maneuvering through these obstacles, which added to the thrilling experience for the audience who cheered loudly.

The finals also featured an exhibition race for female rickshaw pullers, adding a powerful and vibrant energy to the event. Ayumu Kobayashi, representing Tokyo Rikshaw, took home the championship title with an impressive time of 27 seconds, the only participant to break into the 27-second bracket. His performance clearly displayed his rickshaw pulling prowess, earning him the title of “Fastest and Most Skillful.”

Ayumu Kobayashi's Victory Speech

Upon winning, Kobayashi said, “Thank you everyone! I’m so grateful for this event where rickshaw pullers, whom I seldom meet, gathered together. I appreciate the people of Nakano who provided this space and those who came to watch. I raced at full speed today, but I’ll be practicing safe driving in Asakusa starting tomorrow, so I hope you all support me!”

Exhibition Race Enthusiast Comments

The winner of the women’s exhibition race, Shiori Yoshida, shared her thoughts: “I was determined to win in a big way, so I’m delighted to have come first. I believe this grand event has helped amplify awareness about rickshaws. Safety is our top priority, but today was all about enjoying our runs. Thank you!”

Event Overview

• - Event Name: Red Bull Jinrikisha
• - Date: October 9 (Prelims - 100m speed race), October 10 (Finals - obstacle race)
• - Venue: Nakano Central Park, Tokyo
• - Participants: 55 male rickshaw pullers and 6 female pullers featured in the exhibition race.
• - Official Website: Red Bull Jinrikisha

About the Sports Director: Gump Suzuki

Born in 1990 in Kyoto, Gump Suzuki discovered rickshaw pulling at the age of 23. He began his journey of cultural exchange using rickshaws in 2016, attempting to circumnavigate the globe. His adventures took him across Asia, Europe, and Australia before being interrupted by the pandemic. He then made a 3,000km trip from Hokkaido to Okinawa, promoting local communities. After completing a 5,100km journey across the US, he successfully traversed 6,400km in Africa.
More about him can be found at Gump Suzuki.

Conclusion

The inaugural Red Bull Jinrikisha not only celebrated the rich tradition of rickshaw pulling in Japan but also infused a layer of excitement and competition, leaving an impression on audiences and participants alike as they look forward to upcoming events.