Youth Olympics bring a “Monsters University” fantasy to Nihon Gakko

September has brought the start of the Youth Sports, Cultural and Artistic Olympics for students at Nihon Gakko school in Fernando de la Mora, Paraguay.

The school organized the event to mark its 33rd anniversary, the 90th anniversary of Japanese immigration to Paraguay and 105 years of friendship between Paraguay and Japan. Students from the third-year class, the 2026 graduating group, are organizing this year’s competition.

The programme includes futsal, handball, volleyball, karate, chess, Paraguayan and international dance, music, artistic expression and cultural competitions. This year’s theme draws on Disney’s fantasy series “Monsters University,” with each school group taking the name and color of a fictional team.

Third-year students represent Oozma Kappa in green, second-year students represent Roar Omega Roar in red, first-year students represent Slugma Slugma Kappa in lilac, ninth-graders represent Jaws Theta Chi in yellow, eighth-graders represent Python Nu Kappa in pink, and seventh-graders represent Eta Hiss Hiss in turquoise.

Each group will present a queen, and the school will select the Queen of Youth at Nihon Gakko. The competitions will conclude on Sept. 18, when prizes will be awarded to the winners.