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Japanese National Team Gathers in Tokyo

http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/p-sp-tp0-20090806-527765.html

translated by Brett Larner

Members of the Japanese national team on Aug. 5 in Shibuya. Click photo for full-sized image.

Rikuren held a press conference and farewell party for the Japanese national track and field team at a hotel in Tokyo's Shibuya ward on Aug. 5. Serving as the national team head coach, Rikuren executive board member Susumu Takano reiterated the team's goal of at least one medal and six top-eight finishes, but added, "We also want at least 25% of our athletes to set season best marks." Men's pole vaulter Daichi Sawano (28, Chiba T&F Assoc.) and women's 400 m hurdler Satomi Kubokura (27, Team Niigata Albirex) were also introduced at the party as the team captains. With regard to men's hammer thrower Koji Murofushi (33, Team Mizuno), who has recovered from an injury but is behind schedule in his training, his father and coach Shigenobu commented, "We can't expect him to get any records or place well this time."

Translator's note: Athletes pictured above include, left to right:
Front row: Yukari Sahaku (10000m), Yuriko Kobayashi (5000m), Chisato Fukushima (100m, 200m), Momoko Takahashi (100m, 200m), ?,?
Second row: Asami Tanno (400m), ?, ?, Shintaro Kimura (100m), ?, ?, ?
Third Row: Daichi Sawano (pole vault), ?, ?, ?, Yuichiro Ueno (5000m), ?
Fourth Row: ?, Kensuke Takahashi (marathon), Satoshi Irifune (marathon), Yuzo Kanemaru (400m), Shinji Takahira (200m), Naoki Tsukahara (100m)
Back Row: ?, Yoshitaka Iwamizu (3000mSC), Masaya Shimizu (marathon)
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Comments

Brett Larner said…
Well, that explains why Nakamura and Morimoto were in the park yesterday morning.
August 6, 2009 at 10:38 AM
TokyoRacer said…
Is Sahaku tiny or what??
August 7, 2009 at 11:02 PM
Brett Larner said…
Alas, the heartbreak of link decay...In the words of the master songsmith Matthew Sweet, "Nothing lasts."

And yes, Sahaku is small.
August 7, 2009 at 11:37 PM
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