Having left his government job at the end of the Japanese fiscal year in March to make a go of it as a professional runner, it was announced today that 2018 Boston Marathon winner Yuki Kawauchi, 32, has signed a three-year sponsorship deal with piano maker Yamaha Music Japan Co., Ltd.
“What I like about a Yamaha piano is that it’s all there in front of you in black and white, like life,” said Kawauchi, an avid pianist as a child before his parents made him pursue running. “I hope that we’ll have a long and harmonious relationship, with just a hint of dissonance for depth.”
The endorsement deal includes the introduction of a “Make a Breakthrough” Kawauchi signature model acoustic grand piano, proceeds from the sales of which will go toward supporting Kawauchi’s training in the lead-up to the 2021 Eugene World Championships.
A delighted Yamaha president Naoji Suda told reporters, “Kawauchi’s values are well-tuned to ours, one of the keys to any successful relationship. I can’t think of a better brand ambassador for our flagship line of acoustic grand pianos. He may not be the fastest pianist in the world, but nobody carries a tune, or a piano, quite like him.”
source article:
https://cloud.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1175452.html
translated by Brett Larner
Update: This was an April Fool's Day article, if it wasn't obvious from the quality of the photoshop job in the picture.
Comments
I thought this was fake news until I looked up and confirm Naoji Suda was indeed Yamaha's President. 😂
Every Yuki's race is like a melody composed by a virtuoso for us running fanatics. And your reviews compound a perfecto chorus!
Have fun again in Boston!