Categories of Competition/Competitive Class, Citizen Class (Full marathon / General: 10 kilometer race)
Sponsors/Chubu Joint Municipal Block Office Union, Okinawa Track and Field Association, Okinawa Public Park and Sports Promotion Association, Ryukyu Shimpo Company, Okinawa Television Broadcasting.
Inquiries/Okinawa Marathon Executive Committee Tel.: 098-930-0088
Date/Annually the 3rd Sunday in February
Venue/Central Okinawa Island (Chubu)
Participants/Year 2000: 10,708 persons (International participants: 212 persons)

The 8th annual marathon was held in 2000. This is the only course officially recognized by the Japan Amateur Athletic Federation. There are numerous categories, from the competitive class, which is for strong national and international runners, to the Public class that draws many foreigners every year. The course runs through the U.S. military bases and is attractive for its taste of America. The many volunteers along the course give health care and provide water as well as warm encouragement for the entire distance of the course.

Competition Details/Triathlon (Swimming 3km, Cycling 155km, and Marathon 42.195km)
Sponsors/Miyako bloc Office Union, Ryukyu Shimpo Company
Inquiries/Miyako Triathlon Executive Committee Tel.: 098-073-1046
Date/Annually in Mid-April
Venue/Miyako-jima Island
Participants/1999: 1.500 (International participants: 66 athletes from 19 countries)

The Miyako Triathlon is a race for triathlon athletes to test their skills as iron men and women in the three events of the competition. The competition starts on the sparkling white sands and goes through the cape areas with lilies in full bloom. Competitors have the chance to enjoy the attractive natural surroundings to the spirited shouts of "Waido!" (Persist) from all the residents in support. The finale of the event is a colorful display of fireworks in the nighttime sky. The 2000 competition will be the 16th time this proud event will be held.

Competition Details/Triathlon (Olympic distance: Swimming 1.5km, Cycling 40km, Marathon 10km)
Sponsor/International Triathlon Union
Inquiries/Triathlon Office Tel.: 098-082-1212
Date/Annually in Mid-April
Venue/Ishigaki-jima Island
Participants/Year 1999: 190 persons and 35 Countries represented (International participants: 105 persons)

Held at the top of the season, the ITU Triathlon World Cup Tournament in Ishigaki gives an opportunity for the world's best triathlon athletes to compete in top form and quality to achieve a new record. It is an important event for selection for the Olympics. The starting point is the Tonoshiro Fishing Port. The course route is designed for speed and heated competition.

Competition Details/Cycling Competition (Men's Championship Race 200km, Women's International Race 50km, Public Race 200km, 120km, 80km, 50km, Public Women's Race 50km, Junior High Race 50km)
Sponsorship/Tour du Okinawa Executive Committee, Hokubu Joint Municipal Bloc Office Union, Japan Cycling Association, Japan Cycling Federation
Inquiries/Hokubu Municipal Bloc Office Union Tel.: 009-054-3174
Date/November - December Annually
Venue/Northern Okinawa Island (Hokubu)
Participants/Year 1999: 1583 persons (International participants: 68 persons)

The Men's Championship 200 Race is officially recognized by the International Cycling Federation and is the longest one-day race in Japan. This festival offers a variety of levels to suit the individual participant, from the high levels of competition to fun family cycling. All of this with the backdrop of the beautiful colors of the Yanbaru autumn and views of the neighboring islands in the distance. Encouraging support and water is provided by roadside residents who perform folk dancing, ring bells, and shout to encourage all participants toward the goal.

Competition Details/Ladies golf, 6,260 yards Par 72 course.
Sponsor/Daikin Industries, Ltd. Ryukyu Broadcasting Co., Ltd.
Inquiries/Ryukyu Broadcasting Daikin Orchid Office Tel. 098-864-2200
Date/Annually in Mid-March
Venue/Southern Okinawa Island (Nanbu) Ryukyu G. C

A battle for the queen's crown among top lady golfers set on beautiful greens and in the warm sunshine of the south. This annual tournament opens the Japan Women's Golf Tour; the 200 tournament will mark the 13th year it has been held. The slogan for this event is "Together with Okinawa" and it has grown as an event together with Okinawa and is well covered by television networks.

Competition Details/Men's golf, 6,359 yards Par 71 course.
Sponsor/Fancl Okinawa Open Golf Executive Committee, Okinawa Convention Center, Fancl
Inquiries/Okinawa Convention Center Tel:098-867-1200
Date/Annually in December
Venue/Northern Okinawa Island (Hokubu) Daikyo G. C.

Okinawa is Japan's only prefecture in the subtropics, the mild climate makes it the spot to be for year round outdoor sports enjoyment. The Fancl Okinawa Open is held on a wide championship course under the beautiful sky and near the blue oceans of Okinawa. It is also the final stop on the Men's Tour and is crucial in helping to decide who will be Japan's top players. It is also an important competition in deciding seeding for next year's tour.

Event Details/Wheelchair Marathon (Half Marathon, 5km, Trim Marathon 1.5km)
Sponsor/Ginowan Wheelchair Marathon Executive Committee
Inquiries/Ginowan City Social Welfare Council Tel: 098-892-6525
Date/Annually in February
Venue/Central area of Okinawa Island (Chubu) Ginowan City Kaihama Koen Park, In front of Kankaimon Gate
Participants/198 persons in 1999

The Ginowan Wheelchair Marathon is a race where athletes both physically challenged and those not can participate together. It has been held 11 times so far. The full names of participants are called out in encouragement to help the athletes give their best. The rankings in the Trim Marathon are based on the smallest difference between the time the athlete predicts at the start of the race and the time he or she really posts. This enjoyable race is popular and easy to enter.

Competition Events/Ground Golf, Volleyball, Petanque, Park Golf, Walking, Senior Open Table Tennis, Gateball (croquet), Dance, Okinawan Open Golf Tournament
Sponsors/Okinawa Prefecture, Okinawa Convention Center, and Okinawa Prefecture Board of Education
Inquiries/Suntopia Okinawa Executive Committee Office Tel.: 098-862-0501
DateNovember - December Annually
Venues/Okinawa Island (Naha City, Urasoe City, Ginowan City, Itoman City, Nago City, Gushikawa City, and Ishikawa City)
Kochida-cho, Kunigami-son) Miyako-jima Island (Hirara City)
Participants/10,612 persons in 1999

Relaxing events to enjoy life in warm Okinawa, pleasant even in the winter. The variety of events encompasses sports and cultural activities. It is a festival that especially middle-aged and senior persons can enjoy to the fullest. The events planned for 2000 will mark the 13th year of this festival. Every year participants from inside and outside of the prefecture come to enjoy the contact and sports activities.

Event Details/Karate-do, Kobudo, Childrens Karate-do Kata, Junior High Karate-do Kata
Sponsors/Okinawa Traditional Karate Kobudo World Tournament Executive Committee, Naha City, Naha City Board of Education, Okinawa Karate-do Rengokai
Inquiries/Okinawa Traditional Karate Kobudo World Tournament Office 098-866-1700
Date/Once every 4 years, (the year before the Olympics) and tournament or pre-tournament will be held.
Venue/Southern Okinawa Island, Okinawa Prefecture Martial Arts Hall, and other locations
Participants/Over 5000 persons in 1999 from 18 countries.

At present there are over 40 million practitioners of the Okinawa martial art Karate around the world. This international event is held in the birthplace of Karate so that the traditions of Karate will be respected, the Kata will continually be polished, and the skills preserved and developed. In 1999 the memorable first tournament was held and others are being planned every 4th year in Okinawa. The Pre-Tournament is making its way around the globe with tournaments planned in America in 2001 and France in 2005.

Event Details/Marathon (Men's Total Visual Impairment 10km, Women's Total Visual Impairment 10km, Men's Slight Visual Impairment 10km, Women's Slight Visual Impairment 10km, Men's Total Visual Impairment 5km, Women's Total Visual Impairment 5km, Men's Slight Visual Impairment 5km, Women's Slight Visual Impairment 5km, 3km, 1.5km)
Sponsors/Nanbu Joint Municipal Bloc Office Union, Okinawa Prefecture Social Welfare Council for the Visually Impaired, Tamagusuku-son Village, Nanbu Promotion Association, Ryukyu Shimpo Company
Inquiries/098-862-2431
Date/Annually on the last Sunday of January
Venue/Southern Okinawa Island (Nanbu) Tamagusuku-son Gusuku Road
Participants/175 persons in 2000 (International Athletes: 6-7 as accompanying persons)

Holding a 50cm rope between them the two-person teams traverse at their own pace through the historic Gusuku Road using the voice of the unimpaired member as guide. The 2000 race marked the 5th anniversary of the event and all the participating teams completed the course. In particular, the exchange after the race was enjoyed by all. Braille certificates are handed out by the volunteers makes it a truly heartful marathon.

Competition Details/Men's and women's mixed Beach Soccer (Classes: Child, Junior, and Champion)
Sponsor/Onna-son Village
Inquiries/Onna-son Village Office, Economic and Tourism Office Tel.:098-966-8011
Date/Annually on October 7th and 8th
Venue/Northern Okinawa Island (Hokubu) Onna-son Village Beach, Kariyushi Beach Resort Onna Facilities, Sun Marina Hotel Facilities, Rizzan Park Hotel Tancha Bay Facilities
Participants/226 teams in 1999

The Onna-son Village Mayor's Cup is held on the Mecca of Japan's marine resorts, the west coast of Okinawa. It is held according to the rules for championship competition established by the International Beach Soccer Federation. In the 4th tournament held in 1999 former J-League star Rui Ramos was invited as special guest in a very lively tourney. In the planned 2000 event, a pro team under Rui Ramos is being assembled as possible special guest participants. The teams going for the championship will fight it out under the bright Okinawan sun.

Event Details/9 person teams (hearing impaired persons) Floor (visually impaired persons) Seating (Physically impaired) Wheelchairs (Physically impaired), Soft Volleyball (mentally challenged), Balloons (Severely challenged).
Sponsors/Okinawan Prefecture Barrier-free Association
Inquiries/Okinawa Prefecture Barrier-free Association Tel: 098-877-1754
Date/Opened 3 times a year.
Venue/Urasoe City, Naha City and etc.
Participants/1999 First Tournament held on April 18 (38 teams, 450 athletes), Second Tournament held on August 29 (63 teams, 600 athletes), Third Tournament (60 teams, 600 athletes)

Everyone can participate in moving the ball, which has a bell inside. Those athletes on the floor, in the seats and wheelchairs all are welcome to participate. This event is held to help keep up health and through the exchange make sports barrier-free for all. Individuals as well as teams are welcome to register for participation.

Event Details/Professional Baseball
Sponsors/Japan Baseball League, Western League, and Eastern League
Inquiries/Ryukyu Shimpo Co., Tel: 098-865-5200
Date/Annually in October
Venue/Okinawa Island (Chatan Baseball Stadium, Urasoe City Public Baseball Stadium, Ginowan City Baseball Stadium, Okinawa City Baseball Stadium, Nago City Baseball Stadium, Itoman City Nishizaki Baseball Stadium)
Participants/6 teams in 1999

This popular event marks it 5th year as the gateway to honors for up and coming young pro baseball talent. The future stars of baseball compete aggressively to show their skills and be selected to be members of the first team. The Fresh Tournament is held as part of this and has participants from pro and amateur leagues. International participants are also called in for the competition including those from Asia.

Competition Details/Ultra Marathon (100km, 50km, and 20km)
Sponsors/Miyako Joint Municipal Bloc Office Union
Inquiries/Waido Executive Committee Tel.: 098-073-1046
Date/Annually in Mid-January
Venue/Miyako-jima Island
Participants/510 Athletes in 2000

This race begins before dawn, 100 kilometer race is a fight with oneself in this toughest of races. Many of the participants reported that they were deeply moved by the endless encouragement that people shouted out to them as they made their way to the finish. Visually impaired athletes with accompaniment participated in a race that is truly loved by its participants. The 2000 race was the 10th race of its kind.

Event Details/Track and Field Competition
Sponsor/Okinawa Masters Track and Field Federation
Inquiries/098-873-1412
Date/Annually around August
Venue/Central area of Okinawa Island (Chubu) Okinawa Prefecture Comprehensive Exercise Park Track and Field Stadium
Participants/About 200 persons in 1999

This track and field event is open to all men over 45 years of age and all women over 35 years of age. The meet in 1999 marked the 19th time this event was held. In the 100m physically challenged race, athlete Kiyoshi Tajima set and new Japan record. Veteran World champion athlete Hidenori Omine set two prefectural records in the long jump in this high level event. In Okinawa there are 7 or 8 Japan record holders in various events.