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Fujiwara Says "I'll Give It One More Year" After Tokyo Marathon

http://www.jiji.com/jc/zc?k=201502/2015022200087&g=spo

translated by Brett Larner

Having had one timely comeback to make the London Olympics team, Arata Fujiwara, now 33, fell to 37th at the Tokyo Marathon.  Around 20 km his legs began to grow heavy.  "I gave it my best, but my body just wouldn't move," he said, shoulders dropping.  "It felt like I was running in water."

Unable to pull out of his slump even in the familiar environment of a race where he had twice run PBs in the past, he said, "It feels like my competitive edge in the race has gone dull."  Asked about his future plans he indicated his drive to make the Rio de Janeiro Olympic team is undiminished, earnestly responding, "In terms of what's inside me, I'm going to give it everything I've got for one more year."
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