Australia transforms garbage collection into a competitive activity, adopting the Japanese Spogomi method.
In 2008, Kenichi Mamitsuka, a visionary from Japan, introduced the world to Spogomi, a unique sport that turns trash pickup into a competitive event under the slogan 'Trash pickup is a sport!'. Since then, the game has gained a significant following, particularly in Australia and Japan.
The sport made its mark in Australia with a qualifier that saw nearly a hundred participants competing for an hour, accumulating points by cleaning streets and beaches. The Australian Spogomi qualifier in 2025, held in Manly Beach, Sydney, was met with an enthusiastic audience, signalling a willingness to participate again and potentially turning Spogomi into an international ecological awareness event.
In Japan, players often compete dressed as anime and manga characters, adding a fun and vibrant element to the game. The rules are strict, with judges overseeing compliance. Running is prohibited, and players are not allowed to go more than ten meters from their team. Mistakes lead to red cards and elimination. Teams have 60 minutes to collect waste and an additional 20 minutes to sort it into color-coded bags.
Each type of trash is worth a different score, but certain prohibited objects like carts, fire extinguishers, or tires deduct 100 points. The Australian Spogomi qualifier in 2025 managed to remove hundreds of kilos of trash in a few hours. The winning team, Crystal Clean, scored an impressive 2,119 points.
The growth of the sports and environmental market increases Spogomi's potential to expand to more countries. Jason Partington, the pioneer of Spogomi in Australia, led the national team to the first Spogomi World Cup in 2023. The sport's atmosphere is competitive yet relaxed, with teams strategizing to sweep key zones like bus stops or streets near bars.
Many participants feel a sense of accomplishment from doing a good deed with a sporting spirit. Several admitted that they could no longer walk down the street without noticing trash. If the trend continues, Spogomi could become a new global urban sport, with the Spogomi World Cup 2025 set to have around twenty participating nations. The prize for the winning team is representation in the Spogomi World Cup 2025 in Tokyo.
The event serves as a powerful environmental awareness exercise, gaining more followers each year. With its unique blend of competition, fun, and environmental consciousness, Spogomi is poised to make a significant impact on the global stage.
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