The Japan Championships in Athletics 20km was held in Kobe, and Toshikazu Yamanishi, who is expected to win a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, won the championship for the second consecutive time with a new record of 1 hour 17 minutes 20 seconds.

Five men and women who have been nominated to represent the Tokyo Olympics participated in the Japan Championships in Athletics for 20km.



Of these, the boys won the world championships, and Yamanishi, Eiki Takahashi, and Koki Ikeda, who are expected to win gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics, competed in the lead group until the end of the game.



Then, Yamanishi, who had passed the remaining 5km and was walking at an almost constant pace, was delayed by the other two, and Yamanishi widened his lead.



Yamanishi finished in a time of 1 hour 17 minutes 20 seconds, and although he did not reach his personal best, he broke the tournament record by 6 seconds and achieved the second straight victory.



Takahashi was second and Ikeda was third.

Yamanishi "I was able to put out what I have come to"

Toshikazu Yamanishi said at a press conference after the race, "I am relieved to be able to win the race. The theme was to control the lead group and win. I won without bringing it to the final spurt, so I have won so far. I think I was able to put out what I've done, "he said.



On top of that, based on the race results that did not reach the world's fastest time, which was the goal, "If you do not have various conditions, you will not reach the world record. You must strengthen your ability to reach the world record in any condition. It is a gold medal at the Olympics. The goal remains the same, so we have to improve the base and gain the strength to win in the final game, "he said, calmly analyzing himself as usual.

Nanako Fujii won the women's championship

On the other hand, Nanako Fujii, who has been unofficially decided to represent the women, won the first victory in 1 hour 30 minutes 45 seconds, winning the battle with Kumiko Okada, who is also the unofficial leader, and Okada's tournament 7 It prevented consecutive victories.

Fujii "I'm happy that I won, but I'm not satisfied."

Nanako Fujii said at a press conference after the race that she blocked Kumiko Okada's seventh straight victory and won her first victory. "I'm honestly happy that I won, but I'm not satisfied. I'm still not satisfied with one or two Okada players. I think I'm better than that. I'm happy today, but as a rival and a training partner, I wish I could have a good match at the Olympics, "he said humbly.



For Fujii, today's race is the first actual race in almost a year, and this year has been positioned as the "year of training."



Fujii said, "I was able to look back and analyze myself because there was no match, and I was able to face myself. During the five months before the Olympics, I changed gears, reworked my plans, and headed for the Olympics. I want to finish it. "

Okada "I want to strengthen and come back again"

On the other hand, Okada, whose consecutive championship stopped at "6", said, "I lost. Mr. Fujii was strong. I would like to firmly acknowledge today's loss, look again, strengthen and come back again." It was.

Regarding the change of chairman of the organization committee

Toshikazu Yamanishi, who won the men's championship in the 20-kilometer racewalking in Japan, resigned from the statement that former chairman Mori of the Tokyo Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic races looked down on women, and Seiko Hashimoto became the new chairman. It was a little disappointing to hear such a statement from the chairman. I think it was a statement that was not suitable for the times. "



On top of that, although there was no mention of the new chairman Hashimoto, with the future tournament management in mind, "I don't think I'm in a position to say anything about the" box "of the Olympics. Athletes make what is called the soft content of the Olympics. From that standpoint, I think we have no choice but to leave a performance that makes us want to see the sport on the Olympic stage at each competition. "



On the other hand, Nanako Fujii, who won the women's championship, said, "I would like to refrain from this answer," and did not mention it.