On Aug. 11 Mizuno issued corrections to a press release originally dated July 1 announcing that its all-white prototype model containing the new Mizuno Enerzy foam was being released under the name Wave Duel Neo. On its third page the updated press release corrected specifications for the shoes' sole thickness. The company apologized for any inconvenience caused by inaccurate specifications in the previous versions of the release.
On July 28, World Athletics announced new regulations governing the sole thickness of shoes used in track and field competition. The new rules specified the method by which sole thickness was to be measured. Previously, sole thickness was measured from the outsole to the midsole. The new World Athletics regulations specified that in addition to the outsole and midsole, the inner sole and insert were also to be included in measurements of thickness.
In accordance with the new regulations, Mizuno amended the specifications of both the Wave Duel Neo and Wave Duel Neo Low versions of the new model. Prior to the amendment, forefoot thickness was listed as 14 mm and heel thickness as 23 mm. Under the revised regulations, forefoot thickness for the new model is now listed as 20 mm and heel thickness as 27.5 mm.
Please see the revised official press release for further information.
Translator's note: The new WA regulations prohibit shoes with a thickness of greater than 25 mm from being used in track competition. Mizuno's press release proudly mentions that Soka University's Yudai Shimazu broke the course record for the anchor stage at this year's Hakone Ekiden while wearing the prototype model of this shoe. Junichi Ushiyama, an amateur runner who ran 28:58.89 for 10000 m last November, tweeted a suggestion that Mizuno sell the Wave Duel Neo without insoles to hit 25 mm and market socks with a thicker sole to be used instead. No doubt this wouldn't work, but it's an indication of the frustration and confusion the sudden imposition of the new regulations has caused.
source articles:
https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXLRSP538814_R10C20A8000000/
translated by Brett Larner
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