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Fukuoka's Elite Meet the Press

http://www.asahi.com/sports/spo/TKY200812060097.html

translated by Brett Larner

The 2008 Fukuoka International Marathon elite field: l-to-r Kobayashi, Sato, Irifune, Matsumiya, Fujiwara, Aburaya, Limo, Kebede, and Martinez

The organizers of the 62nd Fukuoka International Marathon, to be held Dec. 7 with sponsorship from Rikuren, the Asahi Newspaper Group, TV Asahi and the Kyushu Asahi Hoso Corporation, staged a press conference at a Fukuoka hotel on Dec. 5 to introduce this year's elite field to the media. As a selection race for the Japanese national team at next year's World Track and Field Championships in Berlin, this year's Fukuoka features an array of top Japanese marathon men battling for a position on the team.

The fastest man in the field, Kenya's Felix Limo was very positive about his race tomorrow, saying, "I've been struggling with injuries for the last two years but am now completely recovered and am back in the kind of shape I was when I was running 2:06 every time. I'm confident that it'll be a fantastic race."

Beijing Olympics marathon bronze medalist Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia was likewise positive: "I'm planning to break my PB of 2:06:40. I've been practicing hard with this single goal in mind."
Spain's Jose Manuel Martinez said, "This is my 3rd marathon in Japan, and I'm here to win. I view not only the Africans but also the Japanese runners as my rivals."

With a PB of 2:07:52, Shigeru Aburaya (Team Chugoku Denryoku) is the fastest domestic runner in Fukuoka this year. "I don't want to just try to be the top Japanese finisher," commented Aburaya. "If I win I will have no complaints."

"My goal is to be the one carrying the Rising Sun," said Arata Fujiwara (Team JR East Japan), who, like rivals Yuko Matsumiya (Team Konica Minolta) and Seiji Kobayashi (Team Mitsubishi Nagasaki) is aiming to make his first national team. Fujiwara, who finished 2nd in February's Tokyo Marathon with an excellent finishing time, added, "I'm going to be out there actively attacking."

Looking toward the 2012 London Olympics, Matsumiya, identical twin of Team Konica Minolta ace Takayuki Matsumiya, commented, "First things first, there are the World Championships. That's why I'm in Fukuoka." Kobayashi said modestly, "I'm only a 2:11 guy so far, but I'll be going for a breakthrough and trying to stay up front."

Satoshi Irifune (Team Kanebo), who finished a disappointing 20th in the 2005 World Championships and has only ever won a marathon once, 2005's Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon, told reporters, "More than anything else I'm looking for a result I can be proud of." Tomoyuki Sato (Team Asahi Kasei) commented, "My practice for Fukuoka has been perfect and I'll be going for a new PB."
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