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Asics Unveils Fukushima and Shibui's Berlin Shoes

http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/090804/spg0908041931000-n1.htm

translated by Brett Larner

At its Kobe headquarters on Aug. 4, Asics unveiled its new custom-made shoes for members of the Japanese national team for this month's World Championships in Berlin. The shoes on display included women's 100 m and 200 m national record holder Chisato Fukushima's spikes and women's marathoner Yoko Shibui's new marathon flats.

In terms of mechanics the spikes Fukushima will use in Berlin are essentially the same as those she used in last summer's Beijing Olympics and in her national record runs, ideally suited for her unique high-pitch leg turnover. In keeping with her 'Running Like a Flash' theme for the season, Fukushima's shoes this year have featured a dynamic striped pattern. However, in keeping with the red and white design of the national team uniform her Berlin shoes will be a lustrous white. Can she set a new record in such gorgeous shoes?

Translator's note: This year's World Championships will be Asics' first major world competition without the services of its master craftsman Hitoshi Mimura, who left the company earlier in the year to go independent.
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