japan running news

http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/f-et-tp0-20130616-1143679.html

translated and edited by Brett Larner

The Phnom Penh International Half Marathon took place June 16 in the Cambodian capitol of Phnom Penh.  Having taken Cambodian citizenship in 2011 in a bid to make the London Olympics, Japanese-born comedian Hiroshi Neko, (born Kuniaki Takizaki), 35, ran the half marathon but was beaten by his rival, the native-born Hem Bunting, 27.  Bunting, the Cambodian marathon national record holder and a Beijing Olympian, won in 1:15:34. Neko, 2nd in 1:17:04, said post-race, "I couldn't keep me speed up in the second half the way I expected."

Neko became a Cambodian citizen in October, 2011 and was selected for the Cambodian Olympic team in the marathon in March last year.  However, citing factors including that Neko had not fulfilled the minimum one-year waiting period following his transfer of citizenship, the IAAF ruled that he was not elligible to run.  In addition…

http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/athletics/news/20120521-OHT1T00218.htm

translated by Brett Larner

Cambodian Olympic Committee director Vath Chamrouen announced on May 21 that 800 m runner Kieng Samorn has been named to the Cambodian Olympic team.  Samorn is a replacement for Japanese-born comedian Hiroshi Neko (born Kuniaki Takizaki) who changed his citizenship in a bid to make the Cambodian Olympic team in the men's marathon.  Neither Samorn nor Neko has run an Olympic-qualifying time.

Translator's note: Having no athletes qualified for any track and field event, Cambodia is entitled to send one athlete in an event of its choosing in a special exemption granted under Olympic rules.  Samorn was chosen over marathon national record holder Hem Bunting, who had been ignored in favor of Neko despite running a new national record at April's Paris Marathon seven minutes' faster than Neko's best time.

http://www.daily.co.jp/general/2012/04/13/0004969026.shtml

translated by Brett Larner

Questions have arisen at the IAAF concerning the eligibility of comedian Hiroshi Neko, 34, to compete in the London Olympics marathon following his transfer of citizenship to Cambodia last October and his naming to the Cambodian Olympic team in March.  On April 12 it was revealed that the IAAF has asked the Cambodian federation for an explanation of the circumstances surrounding Neko's selection, raising doubts that Neko will be approved to compete.

Regarding transfers of nationality, at its general meeting last year the IAAF introduced new rules effective this year pertaining to athletes who have not previously run for their country's national team.  For such athletes, if less than one year has elapsed since a transfer of nationality the athlete must either
Have lived continuously in the adopted country for at least one year, orHave received special exemption from the IAAF council.Neko is acti…

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2012033055325/Sport/hem-bunting-and-ly-nary-wind-up-kenyan-training-head-to-paris.html

Thanks to reader CK for sending this link to the latest chapter in the Cambodian Olympic marathon selection saga involving Cambodian national record holder Hem Bunting, Japanese-born comedian Hiroshi Neko and others.  Bunting and Ly Nary run the Paris Marathon this Sunday.

http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/entertainment/news/20120326-OHT1T00015.htm

translated and edited by Brett Larner

Having taken Cambodian citizenship in a bid to make the London Olympics, comedian Hiroshi Neko (Hiroshi Cat, 34, born Kuniaki Takizaki) was been named to the Cambodian Olympic team in the men's marathon according to a statement from Cambodian Olympic Committee managing director Vath Chamrouen on Mar. 25.  An official announcement will be made in April along with the lineup of the Cambodian Olympic team in other sports.  Neko's dream is coming true, but his participation in the Olympics after transferring citizenship has sparked debate.

Running headlong in pursuit of the Olympics, Neko's dream has come true.  After whittling down the candidates for the wildcard athletics berth to three men and one woman, the Cambodian Olympic Committee evaluated the candidates based on their performances and other criteria in accordance with IAAF procedures.  Director Chamrouen gave th…

http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/f-et-tp0-20111116-864133.html
http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/p-et-tp0-20111112-862322.html

translated and edited by Brett Larner

Newly minted Cambodian citizen, professional comedian and former Japanese national Hiroshi Neko ran the Nov. 16 Southeast Asian Games marathon in Indonesia in a bid to make Cambodia's Olympic team for next summer's London Olympics.  Neko ran a ten-second PB of 2:37:39 for 5th place.  Five days before the race his top rival for the Cambodian Olympic team, national record holder Hem Bunting (25), withdrew from competition and Cambodia's other two marathon entrants switched events to the 800 m.  As the only Cambodian entrant in the marathon Neko cleared the Cambodian Olympic Committee's criterion of being the top Cambodian finisher, but he was informed before the race that the Committe would be looking for a time close to Bunting's SB of 2:31, set in Australia in August, to conside…