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Mitsuya Wins Kumanichi 30 km (updated)

http://kumanichi.com/news/local/main/20090222003.shtml
http://www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/news/sports/148677.html
http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nsp/item/78969

translated and edited by Brett Larner

At the Rikuren-certified Kinaguri Memorial Kumanichi 30 km Road Race in Kumamoto, Kyushu on Feb. 22, Yu Mitsuya of Team Toyota Kyushu, was victorious in his debut at the distance, winning in a time of 1:29:55. Enduring a slow first 10 km in 30:08, Mitsuya ran in the lead pack until 22 km where he attacked with a strong spurt. He broke away from pursuer Yoshinori Oda of Team Toyota just before 27 km and ran alone to the finish in a successful test run for his planned marathon debut next season. "My legs got pretty heavy after 28 km," Mitsuya said afterwards. "I've gotta train more."

Having won his own debut marathon at the 1991 Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon to qualify for the Barcelona Olympics where he won the silver medal, Mitsuya's coach Koichi Morishita gave him passing marks. "He didn't make any mistakes or do anything that wasn't planned. He used his head in this race."

Kumamoto native Oda was 2nd in 1:30:07, while Komazawa University ace Tsuyoshi Ugachi was 3rd in 1:30:47. Chiharu Matsuo (Team Kyudenko) won the women's race in 1:48:22.












The expected battle between Mitsuya and Team Asahi Kasei's Ryuji Ono did not take place when both Ono and Asahi Kasei star Yuki Iwai withdrew shortly before the race.

Mitsuya's next race will be at the Fukuoka International Cross Country Meet on Mar. 7.
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