The important and interesting race walking activity in Japan continues with the support of Schools and Universities.
In La Coruna together with some Italian coaches we had a long conversation with Koji Hoga Miura to whom we asked to explain the basics of this kind of activity.
To explain it now in a few words would be quite complex, but we guarantee that the perfectionism of the Land of the Rising Sun also has its weight in these choices.
Certainly the athletes of Japan, whether they belong to schools, or historical Universities or Clubs, have no difficulty in competing or at the level of Prefectures (Provinces), or Regions and National.
Today we want to propose to the readers of Marcia Dal Mondo the results of today's edition of the "Western Japanese Intercollege Athletics Championships" at its 72nd edition, which took place in Kyoto (JPN) at the Nishikyogoku Sport Park Athletics Stadium.
The two race races were on the track on the traditional 10.000m distance.
10.000m track walk women
Twenty-eight athletes at the start.
Mayo Asano (1997) goes immediately to the head, moving to 1.000m in 4:52.3
Mao Tatsumi (2000) in 9:48.2 (second 1,000m in 4: 53.9) passed to the 2,000m at the top of the race
At 3,000m Tatsumi he always leads the race in 14:46.4 (third 1.000m in 4: 8.2)
The group of leaders is composed of three athletes: in addition to Mao Tatsumi there are Asuka Taniguchi (2000) and Yuka Toyoda (1999).
It is precisely Taniguchi who takes the lead at 4.000m in 19:53.2 (fourth 1.000m in 5:06.8)
At half-race Yuki Toyoda leads the group in 24:55.0 (fifth 1.000m in 5: 01.2)
Immediately after half race Narumi Asano (1999) forces the pace, passing at the head of 6.000m in 29:43.0 (sixth 1.000m in 4:48.0). It will no longer be reached.
These are her following split times:
- 7.000m: in 34:36.2 (seventh 1.000m in 4:53.2)
- 8.000m: in 39:35.5 (eighths 1.000m in 4:59.3)
- 9.000m: in 44:34.2 (nineth 1.000m in 4:58.7)
- last 1,000m in 4:58.94
Victory to Narumi Asano (JPN) in 49:33.14
Second place to Hayane Ochiai (JPN) 49:53.99
Third place to Mao Tatsumi (JPN) in 50:07.62
25 athletes complete the race, and 2 DNF
10.000m track walk men
Thirty-six athletes at the start
Tomoki Azakami (2000) goes immediately to the head, moving to 1.000m in 4:04.4 and 2,000m in 8:12.7 (second 1.000m in 4:08.3)
At 3.000m Azakami is taken over at the head of the race by Subaru Ishida (1999) in 12:22.7 (third 1.000m in 4:10.7) which leads the group also composed by Riku Shioya (1997).
At 4.000m Ishida passes in 19:53.2 (fourth 1.000m in 4:15.5)
In mid-race Riku Shioya leads the group in 20:50.5 (fifth 1.000m in 4:12.3). It will no longer be reached.
These are his following split times:
- 6.000m: in 25:00.1 (sixth 1.000m in 4:09.5)
- 7.000m: in 34:36.2 (seventh 1.000m in 4:53.2)
Unfortunately, later times are unreliable
Victory to Riku Shioya (JPN) in 41:49.38
Second place to Subaru Ishida (JPN) 42:34.00
Third place to Taiga Ogasawara (JPN) in 42:54.93
25 athletes and 2 DNF complete the race
(co-operation by Tomoya Ishii - JPN)