In response to the problem that last year's winner, Fujitsu, lost the winning flag at the annual All-Japan Business Team Ekiden on New Year's Day, the Japan Business Track and Field Federation, which hosts the event, has completed a new winning flag. However, it was presented nine months late to Honda, who won the first victory this year.
The winning flag of the All Japan Business Team Ekiden was kept at the headquarters in Minato-ku, Tokyo by Fujitsu, which won last year's tournament, but announced in December last year that it may have been lost, and the All Japan Business Team Ekiden The federation had created a new championship flag at Fujitsu's expense.
On the 30th, the newly completed victory flag was presented to Honda, who won the first victory in this year's competition, about nine months late.
At the ceremony held at Honda's factory in Saitama Prefecture, when captain Yuta Shitara received the victory flag, the gathered employees applauded.
The All Japan Business Ekiden is a traditional competition that started in 1957, and due to the loss of the winning flag, Honda was awarded a trophy and a certificate at this year's competition.
Shitara said, "I feel like I've won the championship again. This time I'm in a position to be chased, but I want to practice hard for the remaining three months so that I can achieve the consecutive victory."
The All Japan Business Team Track and Field Federation will regularly check the management status of the championship flag to prevent recurrence.