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Kyocera Issues Statement on Anchor Shirai's Fracture at Princess Ekiden



On Oct. 25 the Kyocera women's corporate team issued a statement on its website about anchor Mei Shirai's injury at the Oct. 23 Princess Ekiden national championships qualifier. With just 1 km to go Shirai fractured her left femur and was unable to finish the race. At the time she was running 15th, inside the top 16 and in position for Kyocera to qualify for Nationals, but when she suffered the fracture and fell Kyocera was eliminated from the team standings.

"Shirai had no particular problems before the race and went to the starting line without worries," the statement read. "This incident came out of nowhere, but it shows that the team management's monitoring of the fine details of her condition was inadequate. We apologize for having worried race officials and fans. As a team we will give Shirai our complete support in making a comeback, and we will work and move together toward new goals. We ask all of you for your continued support."

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translated and edited by Brett Larner

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