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Two-Time World Championships Marathoner Satoshi Irifune to Retire: "It's Time to Move On"

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2012/12/04/kiji/K20121204004700020.html

translated by Brett Larner

Two-time World Championships marathoner Satoshi Irifune (36, Team Kanebo) announced Dec. 3 that he has decided to retire from competition.  Irifune ran the Dec. 2 Fukuoka International Marathon but dropped out after only 10 km.  "I think it's time to call it a day and move on," he said in announcing his decision.

A native of Kagoshima, Irifune ran the 10000 m at the 1999 Seville World Championships and the marathon at both the 2005 Helsinki World Championships and the 2009 Berlin World Championships.  He won the 2005 Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon in 2:09:58 and set his marathon best of 2:09:23 at the 2008 Fukuoka International Marathon.  Following his retirement he plans to take a coaching position at his corporate team to help shape the next generation of athletes.
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