#Japan #Tokyo #Aoyama Gakuin #CW-X #Women’s Ekiden

Aoyama Gakuin University Women's Ekiden Team and CW-X Partnership

In April 2026, Aoyama Gakuin University will launch its women's ekiden team, and in an exciting development, the renowned conditioning wear brand CW-X has established a partnership with them. This collaboration aims to encourage and support female athletes who are committed to pursuing their running dreams.

CW-X, a product line under Wacoal—a company based in Kyoto known for its innovative sports apparel—aims to empower women in athletics, recognizing the unique challenges faced by female athletes. Despite the advancements in sports, many women still face significant barriers, such as balancing education, careers, and family planning, alongside physical challenges related specifically to women's health. The brand's mission aligns with Aoyama Gakuin’s goals to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for athletes of all ages and genders.

The formation of the women’s ekiden team is led by Coach Makoto Hara, who has expressed concern over the declining participation rate of women in track and field sports. Hara aims to create a nurturing atmosphere where both male and female athletes challenge each other and grow together. He believes that by working alongside male teammates, they can cultivate strength and resilience, serving as inspiration for non-athlete women to find their own courage and vitality.

The team welcomes two promising athletes: Kazuka Ashida from Ritsumeikan Uji High School and Eri Ikino from Suma Gakuen High School, both of whom have achieved notable accomplishments in track events and national competitions. The partnership with CW-X will provide the team with high-quality sports bras, shorts, and tights, designed to enhance performance and maintain athletes’ conditioning.

Coach Hara emphasizes the importance of fostering a sense of community within the team rather than providing specialized training just for women. He envisions a synergy where athletes learn from each other, leading to personal growth and mutual support. The partnership with CW-X is significant, not only as a resource for sophisticated sportswear but also as an educator regarding women’s specific physiological needs, thereby helping to ensure long-term athletic involvement.

Athletes’ comments reflect their enthusiasm and readiness to take on this new challenge. Kazuka Ashida states her commitment to focusing on individual races and shaping the foundational structure of the team during its initial stages. She described her experience wearing CW-X gear as incredibly supportive, allowing her to feel more agile and swift during training.

Eri Ikino also shares her aspirations for achieving results in personal competitions and highlights the unique training methods offered by Aoyama Gakuin. She found the initial pressure of CW-X's compression gear smoothly transitioned into a comforting support as she trained.

The initiative creates a rich synergy between performers and brands. CW-X, developed through ground-breaking principles of kinesiology and designed with cutting-edge materials, brings an added layer of effectiveness to the athletes’ experience. The team’s participation will serve not just individual performance goals, but also as a broader example to inspire women in sports across the region.

Conclusion

The partnership between Aoyama Gakuin University’s women’s ekiden team and CW-X signifies a pivotal moment for female athletes in Japan, offering them the support they need to excel and thrive in a historically male-dominated sport. As they prepare for their inaugural season, both the team and the brand carry high hopes for achieving not only competitive success but also fostering a culture of inclusivity and motivation among women athletes everywhere.