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Hakone Ekiden Champion Tokai University Team Members Visit Hospitalized Teammate Who Suffered Stroke

On Jan. 29 three members of 2019 Hakone Ekiden champion team Tokai University, new captain Ryoji Tatezawa (3rd yr.), Shota Onizuka (3rd yr.) and Kiseki Shiozawa (2nd yr.), visited Shunya Takeuchi, 19, in a Chiba hospital.

Takeuchi had planned to enter Tokai as a first-year last April, but in October, 2017 the day before the Chiba Prefecture High School Ekiden he suffered a stroke that has left him hospitalized and struggling to recover ever since. Tatezawa brought Takeuchi, who would have been completing his first year right now if not for the stroke, a Tokai University uniform and the team's tasuki, the sash each member wore in the ekiden.

Takeuchi is currently undergoing rehabilitation and cannot speak full words yet, but he smiled widely when presented with the uniform and tasuki. Tatezawa, who last year broke the indoor mile national record and won his second-straight 1500 m national title, told him, "This year I'm going to break the 1500 m national record for you, Takeuchi." Takeuchi's mother Kaori thanked Tatezawa profusely, saying, "Your words will really give him strength."

After spending about 50 minutes with Takeuchi, Tatezawa had a serious and determined expression as he said, "I told him I would break the national record, so I have to live up to that and deliver." According to Kaori, Takeuchi watched this year's entire Hakone Ekiden on TV to support Tokai. He cried when they won Japan's most prestigious race for the first time in the event's 95-year history. "If our winning the Hakone Ekiden did anything to help encourage Takeuchi even the tiniest bit then I'm really happy," said Tatezawa. "That gives us strength too."

Tokai University head coach Hayashi Morozumi, 52, also expressed his hopes that Takeuchi's condition will continue to improve. "Takeuchi had submitted an application to enter Tokai the last academic year but suffered his setback before he could take the entrance exam," said Morozumi. "I strongly hope that he recovers and can take the exam."

Immediately after Takeuchi suffered his stroke Coach Morozumi had visited him, bringing him a uniform and the team tasuki used in Tokai's 2017 Izumo Ekiden victory earlier the same month. Afterward Morozumi told the team members, "I want all of you to know that there is an athlete out there who is trying harder than any of you to make it to the Hakone Ekiden." For both the Tokai runners and their teammate Takeuchi, the struggle for each of them to achieve their own respective goals continues.

source article:
https://www.hochi.co.jp/sports/etc/20190129-OHT1T50216.html
translated and edited by Brett Larner

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