MEN
For the first time in more than a decade, Japanese men’s marathon runners have an excellent chance for a medal. After winning the gold in the 1991 Worlds and silver in the 1992 Olympics, the medal draught has hit the Japanese men’s marathon team. In the last 13 years, they only won one bronze. However, this year is different.
Toshinari Takaoka - “I have been training with the goal of winning the World Championships. I never raced against Baldini, Rey, etc, so I am looking forward to racing them.” Takaoka is a quadruple national record (3000m, 5000m, 10000m and marathon) holder. “I have been training on the race course ever since I have arrived in Helsinki. I am quite happy with high expectation they have for me. On the 13th (of Aug), I would like to run the best race of my life. I don’t feel any pressure. I am just happy to challenge the world best…After running over the course, I have predicted 2:08:30 will win the race.”
Tsuyoshi Ogata - “My training went well. I have been training with the goal of winning a medal, so I hope to win at least a bronze. To do so, I realize that I must race for the gold.”
Wataru Okutani - “I am in the best shape of my life. I was able to train uninterrupted for five straight months...Before the Lake Biwa marathon, I was only able to run two 40Km run, but for this race, I have run six 40Km run.”
WOMEN
Although the Japanese women’s marathon team for Helsinki lacks a big name like Mizuki Noguchi or Naoko Takahashi, the team is still quite strong and is expected to defend the team title. The individual medal winning steak at the global championships, which dates back to the 1996 Olympics, is also on the line.
The Japanese are known for their meticulous marathon preparation. All of them have visited Helsinki beforehand to run over the race course. Some have run over the course so many times in training that they have memorized the course.
Mari Ozaki - “If I found myself at the position of the first Japanese late in the race, I will be running really hard. It will be like a school championships in an old days. I feel responsible for the team.”
Ryoko Eda - who was contemplating retirement from the sports before her last marathon said, “This is a great opportunity for me. For the first time I have custom made shoes made for me.” She was the happiest person in the press conference.
Yumiko Hara - “I am very excited & happy to be running with the best marathon runners in the world. I want to see how good a marathon runner I really am.”
Megumi Oshima - “I realize I don’t have enough speed to be competitive in track events, so I have moved up to the marathon.”
Harumi Hiroyama - “I have finished in the top eight in the track event at the Worlds, so I want to do the same at the marathon.”
