Kayoko Fukushi wins the National Championships in Osaka (© Kazutaka Eguchi/Agence SHOT)
Minori Hayakari won the women’s 3000m Steeplechase, while Kayoko Fukushi won the women’s 10,000m on the first day of the Japanese national championships in Nagai stadium, the venue of the IAAF World Championships in August, and because they already cleared the world championships “A” standard, they have made the Japanese team for the 2007 World Championships in Osaka.
After following the slow early pace (5000m in 16:20) set by Yoko Shibui, Fukushi made a strong move at 7000m.
“My coach told me to stay in the pack for 7000m. So I waited until my coach signaled me to go at 7000m,” said Fukushi at the flash interview. Soon Fukushi was running alone in front while Shibui, the national 10,000m record holder, and Megumi Kinukawa, the national 10,000m high school record holder, tried to stay close to Fukushi.
However, neither was able to close the gap and Fukushi won easily in 32:13.58. Soon after 8400m, Shibui started to break away from Kinukawa and finished second.
“My goal today was to make a smooth transition at 7000m,” said Fukushi, who covered the last 3000m in 9:24. My goal at the World Championships is to finish in the top 8,” continued Fukushi.
Shibui, who finished second in 32:26.29 said, “I’d like to set another national record. I am slowly returning to the record shape.”
The race for the third place was fierce. Akane Wakita closed fast in the last lap, but just fell short of catching Megumi Kinukawa in third place.
Despite hot and humid weather (temperature of 29.5C and 64.5% humidity) Miyoni Hayakari won the 3000m Steeplechase in 9:46.59, approximately five seconds short of her own national record (9:41.21). She thus made the team, 16 years after running the 3000m at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo. She was quite happy when she was told that she met the “A” standard in the race.
“I went out fast, so my pace dropped near the end of the race. My goal in the World Championships is to finish in the top 8,” said Hayakari.
Takayuki Matsumiya surged at 3100m and won the 5000m convincingly with 13:52.64. However, Matsumiya does not have either the “A” or the “B” standard, while Yu Mitsuya, who had cleared “A” standard earlier, finished second, which leaves the team spot up in the air for now.
“I was not thinking about the time. I was only thinking about winning the race. I am planning to chase the standard in Hokuren distance meets,” said Matsumiya.
Other highlights were the men’s Javelin Throw, the women’s Pole Vault and the women’s Hammer Throw. Yukifumi Murakami, who has cleared the “B” standard, won the men’s JT for the eighth consecutive year.
“I was thinking of and also had a confidence to throw the “A” standard, but I was not able to deliver my power to the javelin,” said Murakami.
Takayo Kondo won the women’s PV with 4.30m, thus clearing the “B” standard, while Ikuko Nishikori, national record holder, who had cleared the “B” standard earlier in the year could only finish second.
“I wanted to win the competition with at least a “B” standard,” said Kondo after the long competition. “Since the competition ran so long, I was in a battle to keep my concentration.”
In the absence of Yuka Murofushi, national record holder who pulled out only a few days ago, Masumi Aya won the women’s HT with 63.43m. “I was happy to win, but I really wanted to throw further,” said Aya.
Dai Tamesue, who successfully covered 7th to 8th and 8th to 9th hurdle in 14 steps, easily advanced to the final of the 400m Hurdles, along with his rival Kenji Narisako. Their anticipated showdown is on Saturday. Shingo Suetsugu also easily advanced to the final of the 200m.
Ken Nakamura for the IAAF
Leading Results
Men
5000m
1) Takayuki Matsumiya 13:52.64
2) Yu Mitsuya 13:55.98
Long Jump
1) Daisuke Arakawa 7.90m
Javelin Throw
1) Yukifumi Murakami 79.85m
Women
10,000m
1) Kayoko Fukushi 32:13.58
2) Yoko Shibui 32:26.29
3) Megumi Kinukawa 32:45.82
4) Akane Wakita 32:45.94
3000m Steeplechase
1) Minori Hayakari 9:46.59
High Jump
1) Miyuki Aoyama 1.81m
Pole Vault
1) Takayo Kondo 4.30m
2) Ikuko Nishikori 4.10m
Hammer Throw
1) Masumi Aya 63.43m
