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Japanese Men's 4 x 100 m Team Renewing Lineup

http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/p-sp-tp0-20090424-486487.html

translated by Brett Larner

Japan's bronze medal-winning men's 4 x 100 m relay team from the Beijing Olympics is in the process of changing both its lineup and running order Rikuren has announced following a committee meeting at Tokyo's National Training Center in Ota Ward. Longtime anchor Nobuharu Asahara retired last fall, and second leg runner Shingo Suetsugu is taking the season off, necessitating the changes in the leadup to this summer's World Championships in Berlin. Sprint Division director Shunji Karube commented, "We're aiming to make the final at the World Championships, but there is much to do before then. With half our regular team gone we're in a tough position. We haven't made any decisions about the team's lineup or running order yet but will watch this spring's Grand Prix series and see who's who." The new team is expected to be announced following the May 9 International Osaka Grand Prix meet.
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V. said…
Just curious - any idea why Suetsugu is taking the season off? Is he recovering from an injury?
May 4, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Brett Larner said…
No, I haven't heard any explanation. He didn't really look in shape at the TV commercial shoot a couple of weeks ago.
June 5, 2009 at 4:01 PM
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