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Yamagata Looking to Stay Calm Carrying Japan's Sprinting Hopes at Asian Games

http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/asia/2014/news/f-sp-tp0-20140923-1371425.html

translated by Brett Larner

The first group of Japanese men's and women's sprinters left from Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Sept. 23 for the Incheon Asian Games in South Korea.  Track and field events begin on the 27th.  Carrying expectations that he will be crowned the fastest man in Asia, sprinter Ryota Yamagata (22, Keio Univ. senior) has built up well toward his season peaking at the Asian Games despite a busy schedule this month that has seen him pick up National University 100 m and 4x400 m titles as well as winning the 100 m at the Sept. 14th Waseda-Keio dual meet.  "This week I haven't been doing much fine-tuning in training, but things have come along," he said confidently.  "I'm going to make the most of the remaining days to finish getting ready."

Favorite Yoshihide Kiryu (1st yr, Toyo Univ.), with a 10.01 best, has withdrawn from the Asian Games due to injury.  There is also hope that Yamagata will clear the 10.0 mark, but, he said of his plans for the Games, "I'm not focused on that.  I just want stay calm and collected all the way to the end.  If I do that then the placing and time will follow."
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