Skip to main content

Fujiwara's H.S. Coach, Hometown Supporters Delighted With Tokyo Performance

http://mainichi.jp/area/nagasaki/news/20120227ddlk42050279000c.html
http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/osaka/sports/article/news/20120228-OHO1T00105.htm

translated and edited by Brett Larner
photo by Dr. Helmut Winter

At the Feb. 26 Tokyo Marathon, Isahaya, Nagasaki native and Isahaya H.S. alum Arata Fujiwara, 30, was the top Japanese finisher at 2nd overall in 2:07:48, immediately elevating him into the top position among the contenders for the London Olympic team.  Voices of support and congratulations have poured in from his hometown friends and colleagues and from his former teachers.  As a student at Isahaya H.S. Fujiwara never made it to the National High School Championships, but according to his coach at Isahaya, Toshihiro Matsumoto, even in those days he never neglected his training and was always focused on improving, traits that remain inside him now.

Two weeks ago, with no doubt in his voice, Fujiwara told his former coach by phone, "I'm going to run 2:07.  I'm going to London."  Matsumoto travelled to Tokyo to see the race, watching near the 30 km point.  When he saw Fujiwara in pursuit of the leaders he shouted out, "Keep going!  Keep going!" at the top of his voice.  Right after the race Fujiwara called him, almost exploding with energy as he said, "Coach!  I did it!"

Two years ago Fujiwara quit the JR Higashi Nihon corporate team.  He signed a contract with a Japanese manager and sports equipment manufacturer, but after firing the manager last spring he terminated the relationship with the sponsor in October after they failed to pay him.  Now, Matsumoto believes, Fujiwara is set for the Olympics.  "I admire him for achieving this on his own.  It shows his strength of mind," said Matsumoto.

Isahaya mayor Akio Miyamoto gave Fujiwara exceptional praise, saying, "If he is named to the Olympic team he will follow gymnast Kohei Uchimura and race walker Koichiro Morioka to become Isahaya's third Olympian.  The way he advanced in pursuit of the lead in the final stage of the race was superb and deeply moved all the citizens of Isahaya."

photo (c) 2012 Dr. Helmut Winter
all rights reserved
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Most-Read This Week

Nagoya Asian Games Test Event Canceled After Insulation Falls From Venue Ceiling

A section of insulation material fell from the ceiling of Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena, the official venue for squash competition at September's Nagoya Asian Games. There were no injuries, but the city suspended use of the arena until its safety could be guaranteed, resulting in the cancelation of the Asian Games squash test event which was scheduled to have begun on May 14. It is not yet clear whether the arena will be usable for the Asian Games as planned. According to city officials, arena staff found that the insulation material had fallen onto a work walkway 13 m above the ground on the night of May 11. The fallen material was 3.6 m long, 50 cm wide and 2.5 km thick, and was found to be waterlogged. The cause of the accident is unknown, but it is possible that it was caused by rainwater leaking in from the roof. The same insulation material is installed across the entire ceiling, and the city plans to check for the extent of the possible flooding. Asked whether the arena will be re...
1 comment
Read more

Hakone Ekiden Qualifying Race Entry Roster Sizes Increased from 14 to 16

Hakone Ekiden organizers KGRR have announced details for the qualifying half marathon for next year's 103rd Hakone Ekiden. The Yosenkai qualifying race will be held Oct. 17 in Tachikawa, Tokyo. The combined times of the 10 fastest finishers from each participating team will be used for team scoring, with the 10 fastest teams going on the the main event next January and top-placing individuals from teams that do not qualify being names to the Kanto Region Student Alliance select team. One change from previous years is that the number of runners each school can enter has been increased from 14 to 16. Teams will still only be allowed to have from 10 to 12 athletes on the starting line, but the move gives coaches greater flexibility in making the final decision on their starting rosters. No changes have been made to the qualifying times of 34:00 for 10000 m or 1:13:00 for the half marathon, and the new earlier starting time of 8:30 a.m. introduced last year in an effort to mitigate ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Nomura and Odagiri Go 3-4 at Zevenheuvelenloop 15 km

2010 Zevenheuvelenloop 15 km Nijmegen, Netherlands, 11/21/10 Women click here for complete women's results 1. Genet Getaneh (Ethiopia) - 47:53 2. Florence Kiplagat (Kenya) - 48:07 3. Sayo Nomura (Meijo Univ.) - 49:43 4. Aki Odagiri (Meijo Univ.) - 51:37 5. Benita Willis (Australia) - 51:51 Men click here for complete men's results 1. Leonard Patrick Komon (Kenya) - 41:13 - WR 2. Abera Kuma (Ethiopia) - 42:01 3. Ayele Abshiro (Ethiopia) - 42:01 4. Abraham Kiplimo (Uganda) - 43:03 5. Berhanu Delale (Ethiopia) - 43:08 ----- 14. Kazuya Watanabe (Team Sanyo Tokushu Seiko) - 45:31
Post a Comment
Read more