Leading athletes held a press conference ahead of the Osaka Marathon, one of the selection races for the men's marathon representative at the Paris Olympics, to be held on the 25th, and Hidekazu Hijikata, who holds the 7th place in Japan's all-time record, said, ``I am giving 100% effort.'' I want to do my best,'' he said, expressing his enthusiasm.
This year's Osaka Marathon was held as one of the selection races for the men's marathon representative for the Paris Olympics.This race and the Tokyo Marathon on the 3rd of next month set a record of 2 hours, 5 minutes, and 50 minutes, which is the condition for selection for the representative. Among the athletes who break the second mark, the athlete with the fastest time will be selected to represent the team.
This year's course has been significantly changed, with the number of turnarounds reduced from five to three, and there are fewer ups and downs around 30km in the second half of the race, so it is hoped that a good record will be achieved.
On the 23rd, leading players held a press conference in Osaka.
Of these, 26-year-old Hijikata, who holds the 7th place in Japan's all-time record, said, ``The decisive part is in the second half, so I'm hoping to leave some energy left and be able to control the race myself.I'm conscious of focusing on winning.'' "I want to give my 100% effort," he said with enthusiasm.
In addition, Naoki Koyama, who has already been selected to represent the Paris Olympics, said strongly, ``I decided to take on the challenge to experience the maneuvering that can only be done in a race.My first goal is to improve my personal best.'' .
Meanwhile, 2018 Asian Games gold medalist Ohito Inoue, who has a personal record of 2 hours and 6 minutes, will be absent due to a right knee injury.
The race is scheduled to start at 9:15 a.m. on the 25th, and will be broadcast on NHK General TV and Radio Daiichi, as well as NHK Plus.