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Fujiwara Leaves for St. Moritz Ahead of World Championships

http://sports.nikkei.co.jp/index.aspx?n=SSXKG0190%2001082009
http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/f-sp-tp0-20090801-525953.html

translated and edited by Brett Larner

Arata Fujiwara in Narita Airport Aug. 1. Click photo for full-sized version.

Berlin World Championships marathoner Arata Fujiwara (Team JR Higashi Nihon) left Tokyo's Narita Airport on Aug. 1st for his final preparations at a high-altitude training camp in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Asked if he is looking to finish in the medals Fujiwara looked relaxed and happy as he replied, "Of course, that's why I'm going. I'm going to run the best race I ever have."

It was clear that Fujiwara's condition has improved since last month's Sapporo International Half Marathon where he was 98th. In his training in Hokkaido since then he has focused on making adjustments to his form and has ironed out the problems he was having. "I've gotten all my mileage in, and now [at altitude in St. Moritz] I'll just be tuning up my cardiovascular system a bit." Fully expecting the Africans in the field to set a blistering pace, Fujiwara said, "I've been training to run 3 min [per km] pace, and I'll be ready to act when the race picks up."
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