Three
more Japanese national records
Ken Nakamura for the IAAF
23 July 2002 – In Heusden on July 20, Kayoko Fukushi became the first Japanese
woman to crack the magical 15 minutes barrier at the 5000m with 14:55.21. It was
third national record in three weeks for Fukushi, having recorded 15:02.08 for
5000m in Rome on July 12 and 8:44.40 at 3000m in Paris on 5 July
Back in Japan on Sunday July 21, though of much less international significance two other national records were also set, this time by Chinatsu Mori in the women’s shot and Fumiaki Kobayashi in the men's pole vault.
In Nambu memorial meet, named after Chuhei Nambu the 1932 Olympic gold medallist at triple jump, Chinatsu Mori improved her own national shot record to 16.87m. After trailing Sumi Ichikawa, Mori recorded the national record in her sixth and final throw. It was also a national collegiate record.
"I was invited because of my record, 16.84m, so I at least wanted to come close to my record. However, I am not satisfied with a 3cm improvement of the national record, because I have been throwing around 17m in training. Last year, I was throwing around 16.40m in training, but throwing further in competition. This year, I am setting all my PR in training, but cannot deliver in the competition," Mori told Tatsuo Terada.
Mori has been advised from time to time by China's Sui Xinmei, a 21.66m shot putter. She was again advised by Sui before the China vs Japan indoor dual meet in Tianjin. Mori promptly set four national indoor records culminating in 16.80m. However, Mori finished second in the national championships and missed the selection for the Asian Games.
Because Nambu meet was the final qualifying meet for the Asian Games, Mori still has a chance to be selected for the Asian Game team. In interview with Track & Field Magazine (Rikujyo Kyogi Magazine), Mori elaborated how to attain her goal of 17.50m: "My lower body strength is good, but I need to work on my upper body strength."
There were several other notable performances at Nambu meets.
Yoko Ota cleared 1.95m in the women's high jump. "It was not a new national record but it was the first personal best in two years," said Yoko Ota who was out of form recently in European meets. She returned from Europe on July 18.
Shingo Suetsugu, who missed the national championships last month with injury, recorded 20.37 for 200m. He should be selected for the Asian Games, which takes place in Busan, Korea in October. Takanori Sugibayashi recorded 16.80m in triple jump. It was the longest jump of the year by the Japanese, as well as the third longest jump of his career.
Later in the day in Ichihara, Fumiaki Kobayashi regained the national PV record of 5.71m. He has improved his personal best by 9 cm from 5.62m, which was a national record in 1999. However, he struggled in 2000 and 2001, and even lost a sponsor. He was rounding into form, and in the last month's national championships, Kobayashi finished second and qualified for the Asian Games. In Ichihara, after clearing 5.60m in his second attempt, Kobayashi cleared the national record height on his first attempt. "I am very happy for him. Last year, he was under great pressure to set a national record," said Ayumi Ogino a track team manager from his former team.
