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Okamura Completes Japanese Hat Trick of Men's Distance Asian Records at London Paralympics

by Brett Larner

Following Asian Records by Japanese athletes in both the men's 5000 m T-11 and T-12 divisions, Masahiro Okamura became the third Japanese man at the London Paralympics to set a new Asian Record, running 2:28:51 for 4th in the men's marathon T-12.  All three of the medalists ahead of him likewise set area records, with winner Laso Suarez (Spain) setting a world record of 2:24:50.  5000 m Asian Record holder Shinya Wada took a distant 5th in 2:40:08, with 2004 Athens Paralympics marathon gold medalist Yuichi Takahashi 7th in 2:42:09.

2012 London Paralympics Men's Marathon T-12
Sept. 9, 2012
click here for complete results

1. Laso Suarez (Spain) - 2:24:50 - WR
2. Moreno Serna (Colombia) - 2:26:39 - AR
3. Abderrahim Zhiou (Tunisia) - 2:26:56 - AR
4. Masahiro Okamura (Japan) - 2:28:51 - AR
5. Shinya Wada (Japan) - 2:40:08
6. Gabriel Macchi (Portugal) - 2:40:13
7. Yuichi Takahashi (Japan) - 2:42:09
8. Joaquim Machado (Portugal) - 2:43:17
9. Ildar Pomykalov (Russia) - 2:43:48
10. Andrea Cionna (Italy) - 2:43:59

(c) 2012 Brett Larner
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