http://www.jiji.com/jc/c?g=spo_30&k=2009030200609
translated by Brett Larner
Marathoner Arata Fujiwara (Team JR Higashi Nihon) announced on Mar. 2 that he has withdrawn from this month's Tokyo Marathon due to concerns that he would not recover in time from the fatigue and strain of recent intensive training. Fujiwara was 2nd overall and the top Japanese finisher at last year's Tokyo Marathon but was not selected for the Beijing Olympics.
The Tokyo Marathon is the final selection race for August's World Championships in Berlin. Fujiwara ran in the first selection race, December's Fukuoka International Marathon, where he was the second Japanese finisher and 3rd overall.
translated by Brett Larner
Marathoner Arata Fujiwara (Team JR Higashi Nihon) announced on Mar. 2 that he has withdrawn from this month's Tokyo Marathon due to concerns that he would not recover in time from the fatigue and strain of recent intensive training. Fujiwara was 2nd overall and the top Japanese finisher at last year's Tokyo Marathon but was not selected for the Beijing Olympics.
The Tokyo Marathon is the final selection race for August's World Championships in Berlin. Fujiwara ran in the first selection race, December's Fukuoka International Marathon, where he was the second Japanese finisher and 3rd overall.
Comments
At any rate, it doesn't sound like Fujiwara's injured, so maybe he'll turn up in Rotterdam, Boston or London. London would be especially interesting if Atsushi Sato does end up running.
Firstly just to say thanks for the translations- really enjoy reading them all!
Secondly- what would have happened had Arat finished as second japanese finisher? I must admit that reading your first article it seemed (as someone unused to the Japanese selection criteria!) that arata could have taken second japanese finisher and then with second in two qualification races and no real stand out results at Biwa then it would have been an obvious selection?
Keep up the great work!
At any rate, the possible scenarios in which Fujiwara would have hurt his chances were higher than those in which he would help them, so it's not surprising he's not running.