Yuka Murofushi (JPN) (© Tatsuo Terada)
Six more athletes including Yuka Murofushi have been added to the Japanese Olympic team, which brings a total number of the team member to 39.
Yuka Murofushi, who started as a Discus thrower, was destined to be a Hammer thrower, for she is a daughter of Shigenobu Murofushi, the five-time Asian Games champion at the Hammer Throw. She is also a younger sister of Koji Murofushi, the two-time World Championships Hammer medallist.
Five-time national champion and national record holder at the Discus Throw, Yuka started throwing Hammer seriously in 1999 after she graduated from college. By 2003 her personal best at HT was 62.24m.
In 2004, Yuka transformed into a different thrower, winning not only the 2004 National championships but also setting three national records – 66.34m and 66.68m on June 19 and then 67.77m on August 1.
“Since she has now learned the proper throwing technique, she will continue to improve during the next few years. I am convinced that she will throw 70m very soon, and if she does so in the championships, she can win a medal,” said Shigenobu Murofushi who also coaches her.
Three hurdlers - Masato Saito and Satoru Tanigawa at 110mH and Ken Yoshizawa at 400mH – were also added to the team. Tanigawa and Saito are former and current national record holder at 110mH. Two long sprinters – Yukihiro Mukai and Tomohiro Ito – were added to the team to run in the 4x400m relay team.
Because it is a marquee event for the sprinters, Shingo Suetsugu, Paris bronze medallist at 200m, has decided to focus on the 100m in the Olympic Games. The decision whether also to run the 200m or not will be made after the 100m, and the major factor affecting his decision will be whether or not he can be 100% healthy for the 4x100m relay.
He really would like to be a part of the relay team, for in Paris he was unable to take part in the 4x100m relay after picking up an injury in the 200m final.
Four years ago in Sydney, he was injured during his relay leg and barely passed the baton to the anchor.
With the 100m as his main focus, Suetsugu has been working on the new start this season. The main focus of the new start is to accelerate smoothly while conserving as much energy possible, which presumably will prevent deceleration at the end of the race.
Additional members of the Olympic team:
Women’s HT
Yuka Murofushi: The 2004 National Champion at HT. Thrice set National record (66.34m, 66.68m and 67.77m) in 2004 at HT. National record holder and five-time national champion at DT.
110mH
Masato Naito: Twice set national record (13.50 in 2001 & 13.47 in 2003) at 110mH. Competed in the 2001 and 2003 World Championships 2001 national champion
Satoru Tanigawa: Former National record (13.55 in 1998) holder; competed in 2000 Olympic Games and 2001 World Championships. Silver medalist at 2002 Asian Games. Four-time (1998, 1999, 2002 and 2003) national champion at 110mH.
400mH
Ken Yoshizawa: Competed in the 2001 and 2003 World Championships. Sixth in 2002 Asian Games, and seventh in 2001 World University Games at 400mH. Second in the national championships in 2001, 2002 and 2004.
4x400m Relay
Yukihiro Mukai: Ran the second leg in the bronze medal winning 4x400m relay team in the 2002 Asian Championships. Second in the 2002 National Championships and fourth in the 2004 National Championships at 400m.
Tomohiro Ito: Fifth in the 2001 Asian Junior Championships. Sixth in the 2003 National Championships and seventh in 2004 National Championships at 400m.
