Rainy day in Takahata, Yamagata Prefecture, where the 56th edition of 50km All Japan Race Walking Championships take place.
The temperature is around 15° -16°C and with downpour rain from moment to moment.
In perfect time, as always, the departure at 8:00.
Todays race in Takahata is valid as a selection of Japan's rapresentatives that will participate at 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta (INA).
50km men
Japan once again presents a new international name: Hayato Katuki (JPN)
Katuki, born on November 28, 1990, is dedicated to 50km only from three years and this year in Wajima (JPN) he had broken the wall of 3:50:00 for the first time, arriving third.
Today in Takahata, Hayato Katuki (JPN) has won its first 50km by establishing the new personal best in 3:48:36 at his 4th 50km.
| Date | Competition | Nation | Pos. | Result |
| | | | | |
| 16.04.2017 | Wajima Japanese 50km Race Walking Ch. | JPN | 3. | 3:49:49 |
| 23.10.2016 | Takahata 50km Race Walk National Ch. | JPN | 2. | 3:53:41 |
| 25.10.2015 | Takahata 50km Race Walk National Ch. | JPN | 4. | 3:59:03 |
| 22.10.2017 | Takahata 50km Race Walk National Ch. | JPN | 1. | 3:48:36 |
Up to half the race he walked along with Yuki Ito (JPN) with a 25km split of 1:55:09 (1:55:11 for Yuki Ito) and then began to force the pace.
Already at the 30km he had a 29" advantage over Ito (2:17:38 vs. 2:18:07) which became 2:50 to 40km after Ito suffered a crisis between 35km and 40km (3:02:36 vs. 3:05:36).
The last 10km were of absolute tranquility (45:50) and the year allowed to win with a large margin over Ito who has not recovered the 35km crisis.
Second place to Yuki Ito (JPN) in 3:56:34 which also represents for him the new personal best (previous 3:58:53 set in Wajima, JPN on April 16, 2017)
Third place to Shuuto Gotoh (JPN) at 4:01:32
Thirty-nine athletes at the start, of whom 27 completed the race; 3 DQ, 8 DNF and 1 out of time limit.
Hayato Katuki (#2) e Yuki Ito (#5)
50km podium
Hayato Katuki after the victory
20km women
Victory to Kaori Kawazoe (JPN) in 1:34:26, second two weeks ago in Matsuyama (JPN) on 5.000m track walk in 22:21.14.
Immediately in the head from the start, Kaori Kawazoe made a race of total regularity ending with the following split times:
- 5km: 23:26
- 10km: 23:33 (46:59)
- 15km: 23:44 (1:10:43)
- the last 5km in 23:43
Second place to Yuki Yoshizumi (JPN) in 1:36:11 (23:41 - 45:57 - 1:12:06) that in the final of the race prevailed by 4" on the third arrived.
Third place to Yukiko Mizoguchi (JPN) in 1:36:15.
DQed shortly after 10km Chiaki Asada (JPN).
Twenty-eight athletes at the start, 27 finished the race.
Women 20km: the pack leaded by Kaori Kawazoe (#303)
20km men
Victory to Kouki Ikeda (JPN) in 1:20:48.
Right from the start with Tomohiro Noda and Shou Sakazaki to 10km with the following split times:
- 5km: 20:48
- 10km: 20:24 (41:12)
Drops after 10km Shou Sakazaki and at 15km remain in two
- 15km: 19:54 (1:01:06)
Kouki Ikeda force again the pace in the last 5km and with a partial of 19:42 wins in 1:20:48.
Second place to Tomohiro Noda (JPN) in 1:20:54
Third place to Shou Sakazaki (JPN) to 1:23:26.
Men pack in 20km leaded by Kouki Ikeda (#162)
The other events
10km U20 men
Victory to Tatsuhito Nagayama (JPN) in 43:39.
Second place to Hyogo Goro (JPN) in 45:04
Third place to Hiroumi Midorikawa (JPN) in 45:31
10km U20 women
Victory to Sayori Matumoto (JPN) in 48:29.
Second place to Keiko Adachi (JPN) in 48:49
Tjird place to Riho Fukamizu (JPN) in 49:20
(Co-operation by Tomoya Ishii - JPN)