Medalists and celebrities to the Tokyo Olympics torch runner December 26 8:43

Torch relay of the Tokyo Olympics starting Fukushima on March 26 next year.
In various places, local medalists and celebrities have been selected as torch runners and are being announced one after another.

In Fukushima Prefecture

In Fukushima Prefecture, Kenji Kimihara, a close friend of local marathon runner Kokichi Tsuburaya, was selected. Kimihara also participated in the marathon of the previous Tokyo Olympics, where Tsuburaya won the bronze medal, and won the silver medal at the Mexico Olympics, which was held for the first time since Tsuburaya died.
Asami Chiba, who holds the 400-meter track record for women on land and competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and Atsushi Fujita, a former Japanese record holder for the men's marathon.
The Tokyo Olympic Torch Relay started J Village on March 26 and will run in Fukushima Prefecture for three days.

In Okayama Prefecture

In Okayama Prefecture, Yuko Arimori, who won medals at two Olympic Games, and Daisuke Takahashi, a bronze medal of the Vancouver Games, were selected.

Takahashi commented, "I think it's very valuable to say that you've been evaluated for what you've done. It's so fresh and inexperienced for winter athletes to run as a summer Olympic torch runner. So I want to enjoy it. "

In addition, Shinji Morisue won gold, silver and bronze medals at gymnastics at the Los Angeles Games, Mai Yamaguchi of Motookayama Seagulls won bronze medals at volleyball at the London Games, and gold medalist at the Paralympic cross-country skiing, New Yoshihiro Ta was also selected.

A torch relay will be held in Okayama Prefecture for two days starting May 20 next year.

In Tottori Prefecture

In Tottori Prefecture, talented Ayako Imoto and Koichi Morishita, who won the silver medal at the Men's Marathon at the Barcelona Olympics, were selected.
Mr. Imoto commented, "I am proud to be able to run on my hometown and connect the torch. Let's all make the torch relay and the Olympics exciting."
A torch relay will be held in Tottori Prefecture on May 22 and 23 next year.

In Toyama Prefecture

In Toyama Prefecture, rakugo writer Shino Tachikawa, the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, and Judo girls' 70-mile gold medalist Haruka Tachimoto were selected.

"I'm good at sitting because it's a business sitting on a cushion, but running is the weakest thing. From now on, when I go up to Koza, I'm going to practice going up to Koza. I will show you the best running of my life with the joy and excitement of running with the torch. "

Mr. Tachimoto commented, "I am very honored to be selected as a torch runner. I want many people to know the charm of Toyama at this opportunity."

Yuriko Fujii, a silver medalist from the Rio de Janeiro Paralympics and the Boccia organization, who is also aiming for the Tokyo Paralympics. In addition, three professional sports teams in the prefecture, Toyama Thunderbirds for baseball, Katale Toyama for soccer, and Toyama Grouses for basketball were also selected as group runners.

The torch relay in Toyama will be held on June 3 and 4 next year.

In Miyagi prefecture

In Miyagi Prefecture, the popular idol group Hey! Say! Hikaru Yaotome, a member of JUMP, has been selected. Yaotome will be running as a group runner with 10 junior and senior high school students from the prefecture who have achieved excellent results in Olympic and Paralympic events.
In addition, actor Yudai Chiba, Kenichi Chiba, who was supposed to participate as a fencing player in the Moscow Olympics where Japan withdrew, and Mikio Watanabe, who also failed to compete as a cycling player, were also selected. Was.
In Miyagi Prefecture, a torch relay will be held on June 20 for three days.

In Shizuoka Prefecture

In Shizuoka Prefecture, Kyoko Iwasaki, the youngest ever to win a gold medal in a 200-metre breaststroke at the Barcelona Olympic Games 27 years ago. Atsushi Yamamoto has decided to enter the Tokyo Paralympic Games by long jump in land men. Professional boxer Yume Ikemoto and Shinobu Fukushima, who have participated in the Winter Paralympics four times, have been selected.
Among them, Mr. Iwasaki said, "I am really honored to be selected as a torch runner. It is an Olympic with the thoughts of many people, not just the athletes. Since it plays an important role, I tie the torch carefully and everyone in the prefecture I want you to see a lot. "
In Shizuoka Prefecture, a torch relay will be held for three days from June 24 to 26.