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Rikkyo University Fires Head Coach Yuichiro Ueno Days Before Hakone Qualifier After Gossip Magazine Suggests Relationship With Female Team Member

On Oct. 11 Rikkyo University announced that it has suspended Yuichiro Ueno, 38, head coach of its men's ekiden team, as of the 10th. A statement from the university's public relations department stated, "His department has determined that he is unsuitable to serve as a leader."

Earlier on the 11th, the gossip magazine site Daily Shincho published an online article including a dozen photos suggesting that Ueno, who has been married since 2009 and has three children, was having an inappropriate relationship with a female member of the team. The PR department's statement said, "The university intends to consider disciplinary action after interviewing the parties involved, including the coach himself."

The Rikkyo team is scheduled to compete in Saturday's qualifying race for the prestigious 100th running of the Hakone Ekiden. Ueno will not attend. After hiring the highly popular former national champion at the end of 2018 specifically to rebuild its ekiden program in time to make the 100th Hakone in 2024, the school's 150th anniversary year, Ueno exceeded expectations for his success as a coach by placing 6th at last year's Hakone qualifier to make Japan's biggest race for the first time since 1968. Rikkyo was 20th on the first day and improved on the second day to take 18th overall. They are expected to be serious contenders to qualify on Saturday.

Update: On Oct. 12 it was reported that Ueno has been fired from the university. The university had ordered him to suspend his duties on Oct. 10, and he moved out of the team dorm in Niiza, Saitama. After a series of meetings on the 11th the university made the decision to fire Ueno due to the negative impact his actions and presence would have on the team, parents, admissions, the student body, and the university as a whole. A statement from the university said, "We deeply regret the current situation and will do everything possible to support our athletes so they can fully realize their potential at this weekend's Hakone Ekiden Yosenkai. Our priority for the future will be the protection and proper care of our members and will do everything we can to give a careful and appropriate response." Executive manager Akio Harada, 68, or assistant coach Hideaki Hayashi, 44, are expected to fill in as head coach.


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