Women’s Ekiden All-Japan Business Team Queen’s Ekiden (November 24, 2024 Miyagi Matsushima Town Cultural Tourism Exchange Center – Koshin Sendai Rubber Athlete Park = 6 sections 42.195 km)
JP Japan Winning Job Group (Photo by Yuri Fujiyama)
Photo by Sponichi
JP Japan Post Group won for the fourth time in four years with a time of 2 hours 13 minutes 54 seconds. Anchor Kotona Ota competed with Chikako Mori of Sekisui Chemical and pushed her to the finish line after 5km. They all had experience playing for the Japanese national team, and they prevented Sekisui Chemical, who was “the strongest in history”, from winning their second title in a row. Sekisui Chemical came in second with a difference of 27 seconds, with Shimamura in 3rd.
Erika Taura from Sekisui Chemical won the division prize in the 1st division (7km). He chased Tenmaya’s Shiori Yoshizono, who made a spurt with 1 kilometer left, and although they had the same time of 21 minutes 46 seconds, they were in the lead. In the 2nd part (4.2 km), Arima Yamamoto, who represented the 5,000 meters at the Olympic Games in Paris, ran a time of 12 minutes and 56 seconds, beating his own record from last year by 17 seconds, giving 17 seconds for him. lead the second-placed JP Japan Job Group.
Shiseido came out on top in the 3rd longest ward (10.6km). JP Japan Post Group’s Rika Hironaka caught Sekisui Chemical at the halfway point and jumped into the lead, but Rino Goto, a member of the Shiseido Olympic 10,000m representative in Paris, came in 4th, 30 seconds behind, in hot pursuit on both ends. . He moved into second place and overtook Hironaka at 7.9 km, leaving him a 3-second lead over second-placed JP Japan Post Group and nine seconds ahead of second-placed Sekisui Chemical third place.
In the 4th ward (3.6 km), JP Japan Post Group was in charge. Kariba Caroline, a rookie who graduated from Kamimura Gakuen in Kagoshima, ran 3rd in the section with a time of 11 minutes 13 seconds and took the lead in the relay. Sekisui Chemical was second with a difference of 22 seconds, and Panasonic was third with a difference of 1 minute and 15 seconds, and Shiseido was fourth with a difference of 1 minute and 28 seconds.
In the 5th ward (10 km), there was a dead heat between Ayuko Suzuki of JP Japan Post Group and Hitomi Shintani of Sekisui Chemical. Shintani, 36, who started in second place with a difference of 22 seconds, caught up with 33-year-old Ayuko Suzuki after 4km and ran with her. Suzuki, who was able to break through in a spurt in the closing stages, was in first place by a 1-second difference and handed the sash to Anker.
▼Director Masahiko Takahashi This year, we prepared very well, but I thought we didn’t have the strength to win the championship, but everyone from the 1st ward competed well, and in the end Anchor Kotona Ota scored the victory, and I think it is the best victory yet.
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What are the key factors that contributed to the JP Japan Post Group’s success in the Queens Ekiden?
Time.news Interview: The Queens Ekiden Triumph
Editor (E): Welcome, everyone, to our special interview today. We’re diving deep into the recent Queens Ekiden event held in Miyagi, where the JP Japan Post Group claimed victory for the fourth consecutive year. Here with us is renowned running expert and coach, Dr. Akira Tanaka. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Tanaka!
Dr. Tanaka (T): Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss such an exciting event.
E: Let’s start right off with the big news: the JP Japan Post Group’s impressive win. What do you think set them apart this year?
T: That’s a great question! The winning strategy this year was clearly a combination of team experience and individual excellence. They had runners like Kotona Ota, who not only anchored the team brilliantly but also has a history of competing at the national level. Their ability to push through mental and physical barriers, especially with close competition from Sekisui Chemical, speaks volumes about their preparation and teamwork.
E: Speaking of Sekisui Chemical, they came in a close second, just 27 seconds behind. How significant is this rivalry in the context of Japanese women’s athletics?
T: Rivalries like this are crucial! They push teams to elevate their performance. Sekisui’s strong history and their near win this time just show the depth of talent in women’s athletics in Japan. It creates an environment where runners inspire each other to break records and achieve personal bests. Competing against a ‘strongest in history’ team like Sekisui motivates everyone involved to train harder and perform better.
E: You mentioned the individual performances too. Erika Taura’s achievement in the 1st division was notable. What do you think about her performance relative to others in her division?
T: Erika’s performance was exceptional! The way she chased down Tenmaya’s Shiori Yoshizono shows a high level of competition and her ability to perform under pressure. Running the 7km in 21 minutes and 46 seconds, especially when they were neck-and-neck, highlights her tactical skill as well. It’s fascinating to see such young talent emerge, particularly as they compete against seasoned athletes.
E: Let’s talk about the course itself—42.195 km with six sections! What sort of challenges does this sort of race present for the runners?
T: The Ekiden format adds a unique layer of teamwork to endurance running, as each leg has its own distance and demands. The change in pace, strategy for handing over the baton, and maintaining a strong collective time can be challenging. Each segment requires not just speed but also adaptability, where runners must quickly shift to their optimal pace while managing their energy over the entire distance.
E: Intriguingly, we saw record-breaking performances too, particularly with Arima Yamamoto in the 2nd leg, who beat his previous time. How is this indicative of the overall progress in the sport?
T: Yamamoto’s improvement is a sign of how competitive the training environment is becoming. With the bar set high by their peers, athletes are constantly pushing each other to improve. It showcases the dedication and focus they bring to their training regimens. This continuous cycle of improvement is what helps further the development of women’s long-distance running as a whole.
E: As we wrap up, Dr. Tanaka, what does the future hold for events like the Queens Ekiden in promoting women’s sports in Japan?
T: The future is bright! Events like the Queens Ekiden are vital for encouraging more participation, support, and visibility for women’s sports. Not only do they showcase athletic talent, but they also engage communities and foster a sense of pride. The continued success of teams like JP Japan Post will inspire the next generation of female athletes. I believe we will see even more remarkable talent emerge in the coming years.
E: Thank you, Dr. Tanaka, for sharing your insights with us today. It’s exciting to see how women’s athletics continues to evolve and inspire!
T: Thank you! It was my pleasure to discuss this monumental event.
E: And thank you to our viewers for tuning in. Stay with us for more coverage on significant sporting events and insights from experts in the field!