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Olympic Marathoner Nakamoto Honored by Hometown Yamaguchi, Vows to Give it His Best

http://mainichi.jp/area/fukuoka/news/20120710ddlk40050360000c.html

translated by Brett Larner

London Olympics men's marathon team member Kentaro Nakamoto (29, Team Yasukawa Denki) has been awarded his native Yamaguchi prefecture's Medal of Glory, a distinction reserved for the prefecture's highest-achieving athletes.  "I'm privileged to receive an award which carries such honor," he said.  "I want to go into the big day in the best condition possible."

Nakamoto was born in Kikugawacho, Yamaguchi.  He received the medal at Yasukawa Denki corporate headquarters in Yahatanishi, Kita-Kyushu from Prefectural Sports and Culture Director Masafumi Nomura along with support money from the Yamaguchi Prefecture Track and Field Association.  Director Nomura told him, "We expect you to go to the limit of your ability without holding anything back."

Nakamoto will continue training in Kokonoemachi, Oita through July 15 and plans to fly to London on the 28th.  Following the award ceremony he told reporters, "My basic goal is to make top eight, but I want to try to make it at least one place higher than I expect.  It's a tough course so I think it's going to come down to what people have left beyond 30 km."
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