Sophia Flying Turkeys soar to victory in Glider Division at 2025 Birdman Rally

Sophia University’s student club, the Sophia Flying Turkeys (SFT), took first place in the Glider Division of the 2025 Japan International Birdman Rally, held at Lake Biwa on July 26–27. The contest, now a summer tradition in Japan, was broadcast nationwide on the Nippon Television Network on September 3.

Founded in 1994, SFT has a long history of competing in the Birdman Rally and previously won the Glider Division in 2011. This year marked the team’s seventh consecutive appearance and 22nd overall.

At the 2025 contest, Yurika Akima, a third-year student in the Department of Social Welfare, served as pilot. She guided the team’s glider to a flight distance of 452.64 meters, breaking records in three categories: team record, student record, and female pilot record. The achievement represents a major milestone for the club, which had already surpassed its all-time best distance in last year’s competition.

Reflecting on the victory, SFT shared the following message:

“We are honored to have won the Glider Division while breaking records for our team, for student competitors, and for female pilots. This achievement was only possible thanks to the support and cooperation of everyone involved with SFT. We extend our heartfelt gratitude. Our members will continue striving to set new records, and we hope you will keep cheering us on.”