Today, we regretfully announce that Mr. 皆渡星七, who ran with us as a member in last year’s Hakone Ekiden and this year’s All-Japan University Ekiden, has passed away. He was an indispensable presence for us, and we sincerely thank and admire his performances and passion.
Facing this sudden farewell, we feel deep sorrow and loss, but we will remember the memories he left and keep moving forward.
We ask everyone to kindly bear witness to his journey fighting illness until his final moments.
Here, we once again sincerely pray that he may rest in peace.
Aoyama Gakuin University Track and Field Team
From all team members
Earlier this year in mid-January, he publicly revealed on social media that he had been diagnosed with malignant lymphoma in November 2024. At the time, he said he was continuing treatment. On his blog he admitted that posting about it on the site may be irrelevant to many people. However, he hopes to serve as a guide for athletes who are fighting cancer or other difficulties.
"I didn't give up when I got cancer. Even if it's only a little, if I can bring hope and strength to 'you', that would be enough. Also, if it can be passed on to the family and friends who support those who are ill, and to Hakone Ekiden supporters, that would be best."
Minato is from Osaka Prefecture and entered the Department of Business Administration at Aoyama Gakuin University in 2022. His PBs in three long-distance events are 13:51.38 (5000 m), 28:49.30 (10,000 m) and 1:03:30 (half marathon).
While in his second year he was listed as the seventh-leg runner for the 100th Hakone Ekiden (January 2024), but due to a last-minute change that day he was ultimately replaced and has not yet appeared in any of the three major ekidens. The title of the post he wrote on his blog is "Even If I Have Cancer, I Still Want to Return to Hakone": "I roughly want to convey two things through this website. First, to record how I undergo treatment and recovery and to communicate to athletes who are currently fighting cancer or who may develop cancer later; second, I want to share my positive thinking and inner growth."
Coach Susumu Hara revealed that at an early-year meeting before the Hakone Ekiden, Minato, who was receiving treatment in hospital, also took part via video call and told everyone, "Being able to run is not something to be taken for granted; everyone, give your all at the Hakone Ekiden!" to encourage his teammates. Coach Hara said that originally everyone should have been cheering for Minato, but instead they were inspired by him. Therefore, he believes that Aoyama Gakuin University's victory at this year's Hakone Ekiden absolutely included Minato's strength.
In recent years, before each Hakone Ekiden, Aoyama Gakuin University's coach Susumu Hara has announced the team's annual race theme. This year's theme was “あいたいね大作戦” ("Operation I Want to See You"), and when Coach Hara unveiled the theme last December he explained its multiple meanings, including the hope of seeing the whole team's smiles at the finish in Otemachi. In a media interview he made it clear that “あいたいね大作戦” is not over yet.
He emphasized that everyone in Aoyama Gakuin University's track and long-distance team will continue to cheer for 皆渡, and they hope 皆渡 can focus on treatment so that after recovery they can once again target the Hakone Ekiden together. “あいたいね大作戦” will only end when a healthy 皆渡 returns to the team。
Although 皆渡 has now left this world due to illness, his optimistic, positive attitude in facing disease and his relentless spirit will remain and continue to inspire athletes who have experienced similar struggles. The runners of Aoyama Gakuin will surely carry a part of his effort and continue to run on both the racecourse and the course of life.
Text:Vincent / Editor:Vincent
Images:跑野大爆炸、网络 / Visual:四年练习生
