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Fujiwara Announces Retirement and New Role as Chuo University Head Coach

http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/athletics/news/1614520.html
http://www.hochi.co.jp/sports/feature/hakone/20160309-OHT1T50065.html

translated and edited by Brett Larner

Historical Hakone Ekiden powerhouse Chuo University held a press conference on Mar. 9 to announce the retirement of three-time World Championships marathon team member and Chuo alumnus Masakazu Fujiwara, 35, from competition and his naming as new head coach of its ekiden team.  Chuo holds multiple Hakone records including 6-straight wins, 14 wins overall, 87-straight and 90 total Hakone appearances, but under former head coach Haruo Urata, 54, for the last four years it failed to make the seeded top ten.  Fujiwara commented, "I want to get us back into the seeded bracket within two or three years," showing his enthusiasm for returning Chuo to its glory days.

As a first-year at Chuo Fujiwara won the Hakone Ekiden's famed uphill Fifth Stage, placing 2nd and 3rd on the same stage as a second-year and third-…

Winningest Hakone Ekiden Team Chuo University's Head Coach Haruo Urata to Retire

http://www.hochi.co.jp/sports/etc/20160308-OHT1T50212.html

translated by Brett Larner

Chuo University, holder of the records for most Hakone Ekiden wins, 14, and most Hakone appearances, 90, announced on Mar. 8 that head coach Haruo Urata, 54, is retiring.  A Chuo alumnus with international experience as a world-class athlete is expected to be asked to be Urata's successor.

From 1959 to 1964 Chuo achieved a still-unequalled six-straight Hakone Ekiden wins, but in recent years it has fallen on harder times.  Its last Hakone title came in 1996.  This year it was only 15th, missing the seeded top ten for the fourth year in a row.  Chuo hopes that new leadership will help restore its prestige as a Hakone power.