Hong Kong Cup Dragon Boat Race Held for First Time at Japan Championships

Hong Kong Team Woof DRAGON Claims Victory

The 2026 Japan International Dragon Boat Championships, sponsored for the first time by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo), was held on July 19 on the Okawa River near Temmabashi in Osaka. The Hong Kong Cup Dragon Boat Race, established in conjunction with the sponsorship, was won by Woof DRAGON, a team from Hong Kong.

At the opening ceremony, Gillian Lam, Principal Representative of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo), also took part in the eye-dotting ceremony to mark the start of the races. She painted the eyes of the dragon on the bow of a dragon boat and joined other guests in wishing all 35 participating teams’ success in the competition. At the awards ceremony, she presented plaques to the top three teams in each of the three Small Boat categories—Open, Mixed and Senior—as well as to the top three finishers in the Hong Kong Cup.

During the event, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo) also operated a promotional booth showcasing Hong Kong's latest developments, culture, tourism and business opportunities.

At the opening ceremony, the chief priest of Osaka Tenmangu Shrine prayed for the safety of the event

Principal Representative Gillian Lam painting in the dragon's eyes

The Hong Kong Cup race in progress

Members of Woof DRAGON, the first prize winner of the Hong Kong Cup, with Principal Representative Gillian Lam (second from right) and Shin Hasegawa, Chairman of the Japan Dragon Boat Association (first from left next to Principal Representative Lam)

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