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Tosa Named Athlete of the Year by Japanese National Track and Field Association

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/flash/KFullFlash20071226041.html
http://www.jiji.com/jc/c?g=spo_30&k=2007122600835

Photo of Tosa, Fukushi and Noguchi at the Rikuren Awards in Tokyo, Dec. 26, 2007.

translated and edited by Brett Larner

Rikuren, the JAAF, held its 1st annual Athletics Awards on Dec. 26 in Tokyo. In attendance were 3 women who each have a chance to win the gold medal in the Beijing Olympics women`s marathon.

Reiko Tosa (Team Mitsui Sumitomo Kaijo) was named Athlete of the Year for her bronze medal performance in the women`s marathon at the World Championships, a run which has already secured Tosa a place on the Olympic team. "The home-country support I received from everyone during the Osaka World Championships truly pushed me to make the medals. I will do my best in Beijing to run a good race," Tosa told the audience with characteristic nervousness during her acceptance speech.

Also honored for her victory at the Tokyo International Women`s Marathon was Mizuki Noguchi (Team Sysmex), who is almost certain to be named to the team. Tosa commented, "I don`t know whether Noguchi is my rival or ally. She is the [Athens Olympics] gold medalist and I am the challenger," couching her competitiveness in a mild tone of voice.

The 3rd woman to be recognized at the awards ceremony was Kayoko Fukushi (Team Wacoal), who ran in both the women`s 5000 m and 10000 m at the World Championships. Fukushi will try to secure one ticket to Beijing when she runs her debut marathon at the Osaka International Women`s Marathon in January. "I want everyone to enjoy my race," Fukushi laughed.

Other athletes honored by Rikuren included World Championships men`s 400 m relay 5th place team members Naoki Tsukahara (Tokai University), Shingo Suetsugu (Team Mizuno), Shinji Takahira (Team Fujitsu) and Nobuharu Asahara (Team Osaka Gas). Men`s 400 m hurdler Dai Tamesue (Team APF) won a special award for outstanding social contributions for founding the Tokyo Street Track and Field organization to help children get involved in track and field.

The IAAF`s athletics awards are held in lavish settings in Monaco each year with top athletes appearing in formal dress. Rikuren`s awards were held with only 1 month`s planning in a relatively modest location, leading Tosa to joke, "Hmmn, I don`t know whether this ceremony is flamboyant or, uh, not so flamboyant....."

Update: 1/14/08: The IAAF reported this same story today.

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