Koyama, Suzuki Win Qualifying Races in Marathon for Paris Olympics
14:25 JST, October 15, 2023
Naoki Koyama won the men’s race and Yuka Suzuki cruised to victory in the women’s event at the Marathon Grand Championship, Japan’s domestic qualifier for the marathon for the 2024 Paris Olympics, on a rainy Sunday in Tokyo.
Koyama, winner of the Gold Coast Marathon in Australia in July, finished first in 2 hours 8 minutes 57 seconds in the field of 65 on the course that started and finished at Tokyo’s National Stadium.
Earning the second of the two Olympic spots up for grabs in the men’s race was Akira Akasaki, the runner-up in 2:09:06. Both Koyama and Akasaki will be appearing in their first Olympics.
Suguru Osako, who placed sixth at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, put himself in line for the third and final spot by finishing third in 2:09:11.
Japan record-holder Kengo Suzuki did not finish after pulling up before the 12-kilometer mark.
The third ticket to Paris will be decided following the three major marathons in Fukuoka, Osaka and Tokyo to be held from December to March. The fastest runner in those races who clocks 2:05:41 or better will earn the spot; if no one meets that standard, the berth will go to Osako.
Yuka Suzuki, running her third career marathon, won out in the women’s field of 27, in 2:24:09, with Tokyo Olympian Mao Ichiyama also earning a place in Paris by finishing second in 2:24:43.
Ai Hosoda placed third in 2:24:50. A standard of 2:21:41 has been set for securing the third Olympic spot at two marathons for the women, Osaka in January and Nagoya in March.
"Sports" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Japanese Paralympic Archer Chika Shigesada Withdraws from Paris Games in Wake of Defamation of Other Athlete
-
Kishida Meets with Japan’s Paris Olympics Medalists
-
Japan’s Kagami Wins Historic Gold in Women’s 76-kg Wrestling at Paris Olympics
-
Yuka Suzuki Finishes 6th in Women’s Marathon at Paris Olympics; Akira Akasaki also 6th in Men’s Marathon
-
Japan’s National Olympic Team Disbands at Ceremony; Members Praise Audience, Fellow Athletes
JN ACCESS RANKING
- Nankai Trough Megaquake Tsunami could Hit in 2 Minutes; Japan Authorities Urge Caution after Recent Earthquake
- Typhoon Shanshan Forms, Slowly Moves Toward Japan; Govt Says Typhoon No. 10 Likely to Approach Japan Next Week
- Typhoon Ampil Approaching Japan
- Shizuoka Pref. City Offers Foreigners Free Japanese Language Classes; Aims to Raise Non-Natives to Daily Conversation Level
- Typhoon No. 10 Forecast to Develop; Move into Pacific Ocean South of Japan on Aug. 26