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Kawauchi Meets Kawauchi Impersonator

http://daily.co.jp/newsflash/general/2013/05/04/0005961064.shtml
http://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/7648800/

translated and edited by Brett Larner
click here for a photo of Kawauchi reluctantly posing with his impersonator

 Moscow World Championships marathon team member and civil servant runner Yuki Kawauchi (Saitama Pref. Gov't) made a special guest appearance at the 25th anniversary running of his local Kasukabe Odako Half Marathon on May 4.  Starting at the absolute rear, he passed almost the entire field of 5755 to cross the finish line in 10th.

Kawauchi also had a run-in with an imitation Kawauchi.  In the men's 10 km division, professional impersonator Takashi M. ran wearing a uniform identical to Kawauchi's emblazoned across the chest with "Saitama Prefectural Government," finishing in 34:46.  After the race Takashi M. met the real item and the two posed for a dream (nightmare?) picture together, but the real Kawauchi had a somewhat offended expression on his face.  "I've met him many times, but there's nothing else I can really say," said Kawauchi.  "When there's something real there are going to be knockoff copies.  I guess that's the kind of situation I'm in now."
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