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News14 Mar 2005


Murofushi - 2004 Japanese Athlete of the Year

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A panel of 41 experts selected Koji Murofushi, Olympic gold medallist in the Hammer Throw, as the 2004 Japanese Athlete of the Year. 

Finishing second was Mizuki Noguchi, Olympic gold medallist at the Marathon. The race was very close. Because Murofushi and Noguchi were tied after all the points were tabulated, tie breaker was required. The tie breaker was the number of first place votes of which Murofushi had 21 while Noguchi had 20. Thus Murofushi was declared the winner.

Having won the AOY sponsored by the Track & Field Magazine of Japan (Rikujyo Kyougi Magazine) in 2001, it was second time Murofushi has won this prestigious award matching the feat by Susumu Takano (won in 1986 and 1988), Yuko Arimori (won in 1992 and 1996) and Toshinari Takaoka (won in 1994 and 2002).  “I am sure it was a tough decision for the panelists. Ms Noguchi also won the Olympic gold, but I think I was able to win because my gold was the first in throwing event by Japanese,” said Murofushi to the Rikujyou Kyougi Magazine. 

Here is the top ten AOY and their major accomplishments in 2004

1)  Koji Murofushi Olympic Gold Medalist at the Hammer Throw 
2)  Mizuki Noguchi Olympic Gold Medalist at the Marathon
3)  Shigeru Aburaya Fifth in the Olympic Marathon
4)  Reiko Tosa  Fifth in the Olympic Marathon 
5)  Yoko Shibui  Set national marathon record, 2:19:41, at the Berlin Marathon 
6)  Daichi Sawano Set national PV record; 13th in Athens
7) Toshinari Suwa Sixth in the Olympic Marathon
8) Satoru Tanigawa    Set national 110mH record
9) Naoko Sakamoto   Seventh in the Olympic Marathon
10) Fumikazu Kobayashi   Set national 1500m record 

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