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Oda Announces Retirement After Beppu-Oita: "No Regrets"

http://www.sankei.com/sports/news/150201/spo1502010027-n1.html

translated by Brett Larner

After finishing 13th in 2:15:52 at the Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon, Yoshinori Oda (Team Toyota) announced his retirement.  In 2011 the late-blooming Oda ran 2:09:03 in his debut at the Tokyo Marathon, the third-fastest Japanese debut ever, to make the Daegu World Championships team.  Now 34, he said, "This was my last race and I ran it well.  I have no regrets."

A native of Kumamoto, the veteran Oda said, "I always wanted to run my last race at home (in Kyushu)."  True to his words, Oda was deeply emotional after crossing the finish line for the last time.
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