On December 15th, the Japan Federation of Athletics Federations (JAAF) will hold the “JAAF Athletics Awards 2022” at a hotel in Tokyo to honor athletes who have shown outstanding performance in 2022.
This year marks the 16th time that the JAAF Athletics Awards will be held. It began in 2007, when the World Championships were held in Osaka, as an opportunity to honor the athletes who played an active part in the year and those who contributed to society through the competition, and to express gratitude to those who support the athletics world. However, it is now firmly established as a year-end tradition in the Japanese track and field world.
Due to concerns about the resurgence of the new coronavirus infection (COVID‑19), this year as well, the reception was not held at the same time, and only the award ceremony was held. Each of the award winners, dressed up gorgeously, gave their speeches after receiving their awards, while team officials, official sponsors, and co-sponsors of the tournament watched over them. The venue was filled with warm applause each time. The ceremony will be streamed live on the federation's official YouTube channel. Congratulatory comments were also received from many track and field fans who watched the event. In addition, before and after the award, there will be a talk event inviting guests and fans who won the campaign, and an Instagram live that will deliver the state of the player waiting room. By broadcasting these live, it was an opportunity to deliver a different appearance of the players from the competition scene.
Men's race walker Toshikazu Yamanishi (Aichi Steel) was selected as the "Athlete of the Year”, which is awarded to the best athlete of the year in 2022. Yamanishi won the only gold medal for the Japanese team in the men's 20km race walk at the Oregon 2022 World Championships, and achieved his second consecutive victory following the 2019 Doha Games.
These achievements were highly acclaimed and the award was given. Yamanishi will receive a commemorative trophy and a supplementary prize. He also received a plaque with a congratulatory message from World Athletics (WA) President Sebastian Coe.
The Outstanding Athlete Award given to athletes who have achieved excellent results is Masatora Kawano (Asahi Kasei) in the men's 35km race walk, Haruka Kitaguchi (JAL, graduate of Diamond Athlete ) in the women's javelin throw, and Sani Brown in the men's 100m race
In addition, rewards will be awarded to Oregon World Championship winners. Yamanishi (men's 20km race walk winner), Kouki Ikeda (Asahi Kasei, men's 20km race walk 2nd place), Kawano (men's 35km race walk 2nd place), Kitaguchi (women's javelin throw 3rd) who won medals and prizes at the same tournament 4th place), 4th place men's 4x400m relay players Fuga Sato (Nasu Environment) , Kaito Kawabata (Chukyo University Club) , Julien Walsh (Fujitsu) , Yuuki Nakajima (Toyo University) , Fujii Nanako (Edion, Diamond Athlete graduate, 6th place in women's 20km walk), Sani Brown (7th place in men's 100m), Tomohiro Mano (Kyudenko, 7th place in men's high jump) , Hiroto Jusho (Juntendo University, 8th place in men's 20km walk)
Mr. Asuka Kazama, Managing Director of the Japan Athletics Federation, handed over a reward panel to Mr. Yamanishi on behalf of the athletes.
Toshikazu Yamanishi comments: “Thank you for being selected as this year’s Athlete of the Year. I think it was a year in which I faced things that I didn't do well, things that I had to work on, and things that I didn't meet the standards that others expected of me. I'm very confident in myself , and I think it's one of the things I'm proud of that will continue to be connected from next year onwards. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all the people who have guided me to become a player who can stand proud in such an environment. Thank you very much.
You say it's my second straight victory, but I still have the regrets of last year's Olympics, and I also want to get revenge on Massimo Stano (Italy) who won last year. Next year's Budapest World Athletics Championships, I want to become an athlete who can continue to win at the Paris Olympics the year after next. In order to do that, winning and losing are of course important, but I'm not bound by the standard of black and white, and I'm trying to expand my horizons. By making this year a year in which I can express my track and field more freely while sprinkling various colours, I think I can show you something new next year, so I will work hard again. Thank you very much for today, and I look forward to working with you next year and beyond.”
Masatora Kawano comments: “Thank you very much for receiving the Outstanding Athlete Award. I apologise for being absent today. I won my first silver medal at the Oregon World Athletics 35km Race Walk held in July this year. In fact, it was a very difficult road. Because of the severe anemia that developed in January this year, I was unable to walk at one point, and there was a time when I gave up on participating in the World Championships. However, thanks to the unwavering support of everyone, including the coaches and staff of Asahi Kasei, where I belong, and Toyo University, where I practice, I was able to set my goals and resolve and work hard.
I believe that our daily efforts, such as improving our training and diet, have led to greater strength than we had imagined on the world stage, and we were able to leave behind the result of winning the silver medal. It's been a valuable year since I was able to realize that I can tackle the competition with the support of everyone.I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting my competitive life to challenge the world. The World Championships, the Paris Olympics in two years, and the Tokyo World Championships in three years will follow. Thank you very much for your warm support and support in the future.”
(photos by JAAF - JPN)
