Schoolchildren sample relays and a decathlon in Yokohama

In between sessions at the IAAF World Relays Yokohama 2019, dozens of Japanese schoolchildren took to the track at Yokohama International Stadium to take part in a team competition of their own.

A school girl jumps over a hurdle at the Asics Kids Decathlon Challenge in Yokohama (Roger Sedres) © Copyright

The Asics Kids Decathlon Challenge brings together a range of different athletics-based disciplines with the aim of giving young children a taste of the basic elements of track and field: running, jumping and throwing.

Held on Sunday afternoon, just hours before some of the world’s best athletes would be running on the same track, local school children took part in the ladder sprint, a shuttle hurdles race, cross hopping, triple jump, target throw and, of course, a relay.

A school girl jumps over a hurdle at the Asics Kids Decathlon Challenge in Yokohama (Roger Sedres) © Copyright

IAAF Ambassador Gail Devers was also on hand to offer advice and inspiration. The multiple world and Olympic champion also handed out medals to all of the children at the end of the event.

IAAF Ambassador Gail Devers with participants at the Asics Kids Decathlon Challenge in Yokohama (Roger Sedres) © Copyright