Two big meets happened Saturday, one in Kumamoto and the other in Yokohama. At Kumamoto's Kanaguri Memorial Meet, Benard Koech (Kyudenko) turned in the performance of the day with a 13:13.52 meet record to win the men's 5000 m A-heat by just 0.11 seconds over Emmanuel Kipchirchir (SGH). The top four were all under 13:20, with 10000 m national record holder Kazuya Shiojiri (Fujitsu) bouncing back from a DNF at last month's The TEN to take the top Japanese spot at 7th overall in 13:24.57. The B-heat was also decently quick, Shadrack Rono (Subaru) winning in 13:21.55 and Shoya Yonei (JR Higashi Nihon) running a 10-second PB to get under 13:30 for the first time in 13:29.29 for 6th. Paris Olympics marathoner Akira Akasaki (Kyudenko) was 9th in 13:30.62.
South Sudan's Abraham Guem (Ami AC) also set a meet record in the men's 1500 m A-heat in 3:38.94. 3000 mSC national record holder Ryuji Miura made his debut with the Subaru corporate team, running 3:39.78 for 2nd. 1500 m national record holder Kazuki Kawamura (Toenec) was 6th in 3:42.58.
Gilbert Kiprotich (Sunbelx) led the top three men in the 10000 m under 27:45, winning in 27:41.48 by 0.33 over teammate Samson Ndirangu and Antipas Kibet (Komori Corp.) 3rd in 27:43.18. Yudai Katakawa (Asia Univ.) was the top Japanese man with a PB of 28:11.20 for 5th.
The meet record also fell in the women's 1500 m, where Esther Muthoni (Nitori) ran 4:06.54 for the win over national record holder Nozomi Tanaka (New Balance) by 1.44 seconds. Sherry Drury (Tsuyama H.S.) was 9th in 4:25.45. Tanaka doubled in the 800 m but lost there too, Rin Kubo (Higashi Osaka Keiai H.S.) taking 1st in 2:05.35 to Tanaka's 2:06.08. Yuma Yamamoto (Sekisui Kagaku) took the 3000 m in 9:14.87.
Hellen Ekarare (Toyota Jidoshokki) was one of three Kenyan women under 15:20 in the women's 5000 m A-heat, taking the top spot in 15:17.94. Wakana Kabasawa (Mitsui Sumitomo Kaijo) was 4th in 15:22.04 for top Japanese. Dolphine Omare (U.S.E.) continued a solid season that saw her run 1:06:07 at the Marugame Half in February with a PB of 31:36.45 to win the 10000 m by almost two minutes over Paris Olympics marathon trials winner Yuka Suzuki (Daiichi Seimei).
At Yokohama's Nittai University Time Trials, Shadrack Kipkemei (Nihon Univ.) won the men's 5000 m A-heat in 13:20.86, almost 7 seconds up on collegiate record holder Amos Bett (Tokyo Kokusai Univ.). Taiga Tosen (Surugadai Univ.) turned in the 2nd-fastest Japanese time of the weekend with a 27-second PB of 13:27.98 for 3rd right behind Bett. Yota Mashiko (Gakuho Ishikawa H.S.) turned in a solid 13:34.60 for 6th, the 6th-best ever by a Japanese-born high schooler.
The women's 3000 m was excellent, with Margaret Akidor (Comodi Iida) winning in 8:39.18, Caroline Kariba (Japan Post) 2nd in 8:47.34 in her corporate league debut after graduating from national champion Kamimura Gakuen H.S. last month, and Daisy Cherop (Sendai Ikuei H.S.) 3rd in 8:52.18. Tabitha Njeri Kamau (Mitsui Sumitomo Kaijo) won the 5000 m A-heat in 15:29.93.
© 2024 Brett Larner, all rights reserved
Comments
I am surprised that Yuma Yamamoto did not challenge herself by running in the 5000m with the better performing athletes. She is running well outside her PB of 8:52.19 she set in 2022! I have yet to see any improvement since her move to Sekisui Kagaku.
I was very impressed with the ever improving Wakana Kabasawa and the progress she has been steadily making since her move from Shiseido to Mitsui Sumitomo Kaijo. Only 3 seconds outside her PB and very early in the season.
Wow, Caroline Kariba went to Japan Post! Their Ekiden team is looking very strong now. Very strong. Margaret Akidor running 8:39.18 in the 3000m. Superb.
Some excellent races and thanks Brett for your great summary of the events.