Yesterday we were convinced that the first walk of 2018 should be that of Hong Kong, but for the reasons of time zone we were misled.
This morning (at 9.20 in Tokyo) near the new Olympic Stadium that is currently under construction took place the 66th edition of the New Year Race Walking in Tokyo.
Let's say immediately that the race course is not that of the next Olympic Games.
The races in the program were 20km for men and 10km for women, plus a few side races on smaller distances.
20km men
An impressive number at the start, which in a European race would be the joy of any organizer: 94 athletes.
Immediately a high level result.
It is established by Daisuke Matsunaga (JPN) in 1:20:12.
For the not yet 23 year old Japanese (born on March 24, 1995) is this his fourth distance performance after those obtained at Nomi in the Asian race walking Championships, respectively in 2016, 2015 and 2017 and better than 1:20:22 that in Rio de Janeiro had earned him a brilliant 7th place
| Date | Competition | Nation | Pos. | Result |
| | | | | |
| 20.03.2016 | Nomi Asian Race Walking Championships | JPN | 1. | 1:18:53 |
| 15.03.2015 | Nomi Asian Race Walking Championships | JPN | 3. | 1:19:08 |
| 19.03.2017 | Nomi Asian Race Walking Championships | JPN | 1. | 1:19:40 |
| 12.08.2016 | Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games | BRA | 7. | 1:20:22 |
Second place to Kazuki Takahashi (JPN) in 1:23:45 near the personal best of 1:23:21 established in Takahata (JPN) on October 23, 2016
Third place to Hayato Sakakibara (JPN) in 1:25:03 who obtains the new personal best (previous 1:27:30 established on October 22, 2017 in Takahata, JPN)
The race was completed by 74 athletes; 15 were disqualified and 4 DNF
Videoclip of the start: click here
20km women
Also in this test a large number of athletes at the start: 38 athletes.
Victory to Nami Kumagai (JPN) in 46.24
Second place for Sunga Ching (HKG) in 46.55. The Hong Kong athlete who often competes in Japan has thus improved her personal best of 47:48.62 (obtained however on the 10.000m on track, in Abashiri, JPN on July 13, 2017).
Third place for Chiaki Asada (JPN) in 47:12.
In women's competitions, they all completed the race. No DQ and DNF.
(co-operation by Tomoya Ishii - JPN)