Spogomi is a vibrant and fast-growing sport that brings together environmental cleanup and the excitement of friendly competition. The game is designed to be fully inclusive, inviting people of all ages, genders, and skill levels to participate. “When I created Spogomi, my aim was simple: everyone should have the chance to join and compete for the top spot,” says Mamitsuka, the founder of the sport.
Unlike conventional sports that reward speed or physical power, Spogomi focuses on gathering litter thoughtfully and efficiently. One of its most distinctive rules is that running is prohibited. This ensures the activity remains safe, accessible, and enjoyable for all participants, while also highlighting its core purpose: raising awareness about environmental issues and encouraging positive action for a cleaner planet.
How Spogomi Works
Even though the sport is inclusive, competing at the top level is not easy. It demands strategy, preparation, and teamwork, along with some luck. Many elite players are accomplished athletes, like Japanese Olympic medalist Miho Nonaka, who has taken part in Spogomi events.
Key elements of the sport include:
- Teamwork and Strategy: Success often depends on how well a team uses individual strengths. For example, some team members are faster, others are stronger, and some are skilled at organizing collected trash. During competitions, these abilities are combined to carry large amounts of litter efficiently.
- Measuring Success: Teams are scored based on the weight of trash collected and points for completing specific challenges. At the 2025 Spogomi World Cup, Japan’s team, Smile Story, won with 165 points, narrowly beating Germany’s The Grandline-Cleaners.
- Rules for Champions: Winning teams must sit out the next World Cup, though their country can still send a new group of players. This ensures fairness and keeps the competition exciting.
Emma Parry, a Spogomi ambassador, says, “Even without running, it’s very fast-paced at the elite level. Our World Cup win was possible because our team combined different strengths, lifting and carrying around 185 pounds of trash back to base.”
Spogomi and Environmental Impact
Beyond the sport itself, Spogomi aims to create a real-world impact on the environment. Many participants initially join for fun, but the hope is that it inspires people to care about litter and larger environmental issues, like pollution and climate change.
Marianne Krasny, a professor at Cornell University who studies environmental stewardship, explains that social circles are powerful in promoting eco-friendly habits. “Picking up trash with friends or competing in Spogomi can encourage people to think about bigger solutions,” she says.
Ways Spogomi Can Make a Difference:
- Local Cleanup: Every competition cleans streets, parks, and waterways, improving local communities.
- Raising Awareness: By turning trash collection into a sport, it gets people talking and paying attention to litter problems.
- Advocacy Opportunities: Participants can work with local governments to address the root causes of pollution, like reducing single-use plastics or improving public disposal options.
Mamitsuka emphasizes that Spogomi isn’t just about cleaning streets. “It’s a way for governments, communities, and individuals to raise awareness about serious environmental challenges and take action. Marine litter, for example, affects all of humanity, and Spogomi allows anyone, anywhere, to contribute—even in small ways.”
Growing Popularity and Global Vision
Spogomi has gained traction over the past decade, becoming increasingly recognized in Japan and other countries. Many hope the sport will continue to expand internationally, inspiring people to combine fitness with environmental action.
- Community Engagement: Spogomi encourages participants to be involved in their neighborhoods, schools, and local governments.
- Elite Competitions: The World Cup attracts top players who train seriously, showing that environmental action can be competitive and fun.
- Global Movement: Mamitsuka’s long-term goal is to make Spogomi as popular worldwide as soccer or tennis.
Even former champions are eager to return. Emma Parry, who acted as an ambassador in the 2025 World Cup, plans to compete again in 2027. “It’s exciting. I’ll train hard because I want to go back to Japan and try to win a second time,” she says.
