On the 1st of 2021, when the Tokyo Olympics, which was postponed for the first time in history due to the influence of the new coronavirus, will be held, a track and field and racewalking competition will be held in Tokyo, and athletes who have been appointed as representatives of the Olympics will start. Did.

This tournament, which is named "New Year's Day Racewalking," is held every year on the lap course set up at Jingu Gaien in Tokyo on New Year's Day, and this year marks the 69th time.



Kumiko Okada, who has been nominated as a representative of 20 kg at the Tokyo Games, participated in the women's 10 kg to be held at the Tokyo Olympics, which has been postponed for one year.



Okada, a 29-year-old leading female player, defended the top position immediately after the start and won the championship with a time of 43 minutes and 39 seconds, which set her own tournament record by 32 seconds.



In addition, Hirooki Arai, a bronze medalist at the Rio de Janeiro tournament, who aims to represent 50 kg in the men's 20 kg, participated.



Arai, 32, hurt his left leg last summer and this was the race for a long time, but from the beginning he actively raced in the lead group, and the distance was shorter than it should be, 1 hour 22 minutes 8 seconds. I finished 4th in time.



The racewalking of the Tokyo tournament is supposed to be held on the course of Sapporo city in consideration of the intense heat in Tokyo in the summer, and all three men who are expected to receive medals are unofficially decided at 20 km, and one frame remaining at 50 km The Japan Championships will be held in April.

Okada "I will do my best to prepare"

Kumiko Okada said with a radiant expression, "I am grateful to have held the race in a difficult situation. I was confident that I could win the race on the first day of the new year with a new record."



Regarding the holding of the Olympic Games based on the situation where the spread of the new coronavirus does not stop, "I think there is something I can not say about the holding itself. However, as a person who has received an offer, it is my responsibility to prepare with all my strength I think it's something to do. "



On top of that, Okada said positively, "I've been thinking about the goal of winning medals since the postponement, so I'd like to practice to get closer to that."

Arai "Race with Harvest"

In addition, Hirooki Arai recalled with a relieved expression, "It was a race where the injury was finally healed and I was able to stand on the starting line."



He said, "I will do my best to be a representative by standing on the starting line in perfect condition by practicing what I can do now" for the Japan Championships, which will require a representative appointment.



On the other hand, regarding the holding of the Olympic Games, "The Olympic Games are a tournament with safety and peace, and I cannot say that I want you to do anything as the number of infected people increases. If you can do it, I would like to prepare." Said in a complicated chest.