In Japan, office chairs turn into racing machines
A competitive sport in Japan has turned office chairs into racing vehicles at Kyoto’s Kyotanabe Cross Park.
Footage showed the Chair-1 Grand Prix 2026 event held in Kyotanabe City on Sunday, March 29. Amateur racers wore helmets, gloves, elbow pads, and knee pads to compete in office chair racing. The rules of the event require that chairs remain unmodified, using only standard casters with no skate wheels allowed. Riders move forward by paddling with their feet while controlling direction through body weight shifts and thigh pressure.
The course includes slalom cones that racers must navigate without losing speed. Braking is done by dragging a foot, and the track is lined with plastic barricades. The setup creates a competitive environment for participants and spectators.
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