After appearing at a Nike event on Apr. 3, U20 1500 m NR and indoor 3000 m and 5000 m NR holder Keita Sato , 22, updated his Instagram profile to announce that he is joining Nike's Swoosh TC . At the Nike event Sato said that he plans to run the 1500 m at the Apr. 11 Kanaguri Memorial Meet, then will move to the U.S. "To be successful at the global level I need to train and grow alongside world-class athletes," he said. "I have to take every day seriously in order to achieve that dream of being internationally competitive." Swoosh TC was founded last year. Its coach Mike Smith has guided many athletes to international championships, including prior to Swoosh TC's launch, with some earning medals and podium finishes under his leadership. photo © 2026 Brett Larner, all rights reserved source article: https://www.rikujyokyogi.co.jp/archives/204241/2 translated by Brett Larner
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I have been critical of the way Juntendo staff developed him after his 1st year and since he is still with the same staff I didn't think he could get this time by such a big margin.
He almost broke the NR a couple of months ago but then he struggled at some other races.
This time we saw the Miura we witnessed in his 1st year at Juntendo and in the first part of his second year.
Very good strategy during the race, not sure if on purpose but starting at the back, but with the pack scattered and in line had him able to keep a tight inside line for the first 1.5km and avoiding contacts and not having to run on outside lanes.
His form was under control most of the race and the last lap was a spectacular 58 seconds 400 that reminded me of his 1st year and half at Juntendo.
El Bakkali answered in amazing fashion after the last barrier, he is an olympics/world champion for a reason.
It's hard to convert steeplechase time to flat track time but Miura's 8.03 in the steeplechase could have translated to what on a 3000? Possibly around Osako's 3000 record or better? An intriguing thought I think.