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Marathoner Tobimatsu and Wife Shihono Appear on TV Show During Ekiden


The popular TV show Welcome Newlyweds! filmed an episode at SS Plaza Sendai in Satsumasendai, Kagoshima on Feb. 20. Having gotten married in 2021, the star runner from the Hioki team at the Kagoshima Circuit Ekiden, 2:10:47 marathoner Yusuke Tobimatsu, 31, appeared on the show with his wife Shihono, 31, on what was the third day of the prefectural tour ekiden. The couple had been scheduled to be on last September, but their appearance was postponed when Typhoon 11 struck.

On the first two days of the ekiden Tobimatsu ran well, winning both of his stages. But on-set it was a different story. "I'm more nervous that before a big race," he said. Tobimatsu's third run at the ekiden is usually on its fifth and final day, but this year he is scheduled to run on the fourth day. "Recording this today is my run," he joked. "That means I have to run four days in a row." The Tobimatsus' segment will be broadcast on KKB TV on Mar. 19 and 26.

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translated by Brett Larner

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