japan running news

by Brett Larner

Paul Kuira continued the legacy of Sendai Ikuei High School, alma mater of Kenyan greats Samuel Wanjiru and Daniel Njenga, by winning the men`s 10000 m at the June 1st Niigata Time Trials track and field meet in a strong 27:51.92, just outside the Olympic A-standard time of 27:50.00. It was the first time under 28 minutes and a PB of over 30 seconds for the 18 year-old native of Nyandarua, Kenya.Samuel Wanjiru, running as pacemaker for teammate Yu Mitsuya as Mitsuya once more tried to make the Olympic A-standard, led for the first 8 km, the two Team Toyota Kyushu runners accompanied by Kuira, Team Asahi Kasei`s Ryuji Ono, Team Toyota`s Takeshi Hamano, and Team Toyota Boshoku`s John Kariuki. When Mitsuya began to flag after 8km, Kuira and Ono quickly pulled away from the pack, Wanjiru remaining behind to help Mitsuya. Ono was unable to match the younger Kuira`s kick, finishing just back in 27:53.19. His time was an improvement of almost 4 seconds over his May 17 perform…

http://www.daily.co.jp/general/2008/06/02/0001097953.shtml
http://news.goo.ne.jp/article/kyodo/sports/CO2008060101000507.html

translated and edited by Brett Larner

After failing to qualify for the Beijing Olympics in her marathon debut at January`s Osaka International Women`s Marathon, Kayoko Fukushi (26, Team Wacoal) opted to return to the track for another chance at making the Olympic Team. At the Niigata Time Trials track and field meet, held June 1 at Niigata`s Tohoku Denryoku Big Swan Stadium, Fukushi`s plans hit a snag when she failed to meet the Olympic A-standard of 31:45.00 in the 10000 m, finishing 6th in 32:22.18.

Japan`s reigning queen of the 10000 m began to fade after 5000 m, ultimately missing even the Olympic B-standard of 32:20.00. While at a training camp in Miyazaki during March, Fukushi injured her left shin and was unable to train seriously for a month. She only returned to speed training one week before the Niigata Time Trials. "I guess I couldn`t qualify in jus…

http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nsp/item/23243

translated by Brett Larner

The men`s and women`s 10000 m events were held on the first day of the Kyushu Jitsugyodan Track and Field Championships, May 17 at Sayagatani Field in Kitakyushu, Kyushu Prefecture. The men`s race was won in a meet record time of 27:56.79 by Team Toyota Kyushu`s Samuel Wanjiru, who will compete in the Beijing Olympics as part of the Kenyan marathon team. 0.07 seconds behind Wanjiru in 2nd place was Athens Olympics 10000 m competitor Ryuji Ono (Team Asahi Kasei). Ono`s time met the Olympic B-standard of 28:10.00 but was not sufficient to meet the 27:50.00 Olympic A-standard. 3rd place finisher Yu Mitsuya (Team Toyota Kyushu), who ran the 5000 m at the Osaka World Championships, likewise made the Olympic B-standard with his time of 28:05.45. Osaka World Championships 10000 m competitor Kazuhiro Maeda (Team Kyudendo) was a disappointing 7th in 28:26.04. Pauline Wanguru (Team Kyudenko) won the women`s race in 32:10.86.

On…