Suminoe Boat Race GI Taikoshō: Junpei Kiryu vs. The Local Osaka Squad – A Complete Preview of the Must-See April Showdown | Boat Race Suminoe

Oh, I’ve been waiting for this! The spring classic at Boat Race Suminoe, the GI "Taikoshō," finally kicks off on Saturday, April 3rd. As a major race marking the venue’s 70th anniversary, the expectations are through the roof. It’s a super-star lineup, led by last year’s Grand Prix (GP) champion, Junpei Kiryu, with a total of eight GP participants. And this time, the local Osaka squad is looking particularly fierce, you know.

Can Champion Junpei Kiryu Make His "Correction"? Local Legend Shigeru Matsui Stands in His Way

Without a doubt, the biggest attraction this race week is last year’s annual champion and GP winner, Junpei Kiryu. He’s seemed a bit off his peak form since the start of the year, but there’s no better stage for a "correction." On this very Suminoe course, where he shone brightest last year, expect him to deliver a fierce performance as he aims to reclaim his signature turns.

But the local squad isn’t about to just roll over for the champion. After all, we have the absolute champion, Shigeru Matsui. This guy, who shows no signs of slowing down, isn’t going to stay quiet at his home pool, Boat Race Suminoe. He showed his class with a solid performance at last month’s G1 Kinki Regional Championship, and you can bet he’ll be even more fine-tuned for this week, making adjustments like ring replacements to get things just right.

And that’s not all. You’ve also got Takayuki Ishino, Nobutaka Kamijō, and Hirotake Ishimoto – a formidable mix of talent across generations. This is shaping up to be the start of a true "legend of Osaka’s strongest."

The Data Tells a Story: The "Difficulty of Consecutive Wins" and the Momentum of Rising Star Toshimitsu Gondo

Here’s an interesting stat for you. This Taikoshō race is actually known for being incredibly tough to win back-to-back. Local fans will know this, but since the year 2000, no racer has successfully defended their title. The last to do it? You have to go back about 40 years to when Munemasa Kobayashi won the 30th and 31st tournaments. That just shows you how challenging it is to secure the title at Suminoe two years in a row.

Thinking about that, the pressure on Nobutaka Kamijō, who finally clinched his first local GI title here last year, must be immense. But this is the same guy who shrugged off the pressure as a young racer last year. Whether he can smash this "wall of consecutive wins" is definitely one of the key storylines to watch.

And speaking of the local crew, if there’s one man riding the hottest wave right now, it’s Toshimitsu Gondo. After all, he just secured his long-awaited first G1 victory at this very venue, Suminoe, during the G1 "Kinki Regional Championship" this past February. That explosive .10 start from the inside lane is still fresh in my mind. He’s also earned his first SG (Classic) qualification, and his momentum is unstoppable. Seeing how far that momentum carries him on this big local stage is something you absolutely cannot miss.

Key to the Water: Wind Direction and the "New Engines"

Alright, let’s get a bit technical for a moment. The Suminoe course is often talked about as being "inside lane favourable," but it’s not that simple. I’ve seen it firsthand many times, and I can tell you the wind coming in from the 2nd-mark side has a huge impact. When that wind picks up, it leaves waves at the 2nd mark, making it easier for racers to pull off passing moves like sashi and makuri. Conversely, on calm, windless days, it tends to be all inside lane wins with predictable outcomes, just like the final day of the G1 in February.

You also can’t overlook the engine situation this time. The engines, including the one used for the GP win, were last used on March 9th. From the 23rd, "new engines" were introduced. This is their second race week, so evaluations are still in flux. With 47 engines that have been used before mixed in with 5 that are brand new, this is where the engine mechanics really earn their keep. It’s generally said that engines with some mileage are easier to tune, so it’ll be interesting to see which team can master these new ones.

• Pride of the Absolute Champion: Local hero Shigeru Matsui takes on GP champion Junpei Kiryu at home in an "Osaka Showdown."
• Challenge for a Repeat Victory: Nobutaka Kamijō aims for a feat not seen in about 40 years – can he break through the wall?
• Rising Star Awakening: February’s G1 champion Toshimitsu Gondo – is his momentum the real deal?
• Engine Scramble: With opinions split on the "new motors," the sharp eye who picks the well-prepared one will have the edge.
• Weather Gamble: At Suminoe, the wind direction can completely change the water conditions – reading the weather correctly will be key to victory.

Speaking of which, when you head to Boat Race Suminoe, there’s a spot worth checking out. It’s the Osaka Gokoku Shrine, right next to the racecourse. It’s just across the Shin-Naniwa-sen road, so many fans stop by to "pray for success in their wagers" before the races. I’ve heard that local racers, in particular, make it a point to visit for the perpetual memorial services and eternal offerings here.

The Suminoe ward is an area that developed alongside the post-war recovery. For the long-time locals, both boat racing and the shrine are cherished parts of daily life. And it’s in this down-to-earth, spirited neighbourhood that the intense competition will unfold. Will it be Junpei Kiryu? Or perhaps one of the Osaka locals? Or maybe a national powerhouse like Takuya Baba, Eiji Shirai, or Koya Harada will break through?

The action starting April 3rd – you absolutely can’t miss it!