Jun Osakada, three-time Olympian at the 4x400m relay, ran the 300m in 32.68 on 24 April in Taisha in Shimane-prefecture. It was a Japanese national record surpassing the previous record of 32.97, which was recorded by Susumu Takano, a 400m national record holder, on 11 September 1988 in Chiba. 

At the 4x400m relay, Osakada ran the third leg in Atlanta and the second leg in Athens; the Japanese team finished fifth in Atlanta and fourth in Athens. 

Osakada is the third fastest 400m runner in Japan, having recorded 45.05 in the 2000 Super meet. He also ran in three World outdoor Championships, having run both the 400m and the 4x400m relay in 1999, 2001 and 2003. 

Osakada also ran in the 1999 and 2001 World Indoor Championships. He is a two-time national champion, having won the 400m in 1999 and 2001. However, in the last two-years Osakada was third and second respectively at the 2004 and 2003 national championships. He has also been unable to improve his personal best in the last four years. 

With the new national record at 300m, however, Osakada may be on his way back to the top. 

Ken Nakamura for the IAAF