<57th All Japan University Ekiden> Soka University Ekiden Team finishes 7th and earns seed rights for the fourth consecutive year!
On Sunday, November 2nd, the 57th All Japan Inter-University Ekiden Championships, Chichibunomiya Cup, was held (Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya - Ise Shrine in Mie, 8 sections, 106.8 km), with a total of 27 universities (including selected teams) competing for the title of Japan's best university ekiden. Soka University's Ekiden Club, participating for the fourth consecutive year as a seeded school, showed consistent running, with all eight members finishing within the top 10 in their sections, finishing in 7th place (5 hours, 11 minutes, 16 seconds), earning them a seed for the 58th tournament for the fourth consecutive year.
Junna Ishimaru (4th year), who ran the first leg, showed aggressive running in the lead pack from the beginning, passing the sash to Riki Koike (3rd year) for the second leg, five seconds behind the leader. Koike led the race at one point, and with his aggressive running, he moved up two places to finish in fifth place for the team, before handing the sash to Steven Muccini (3rd year) for the third leg. Steven ran tenaciously, competing with other schools' top runners, maintaining his team's position and handing the sash over to Yuta Kinugawa (1st year) for the fifth leg. Encouraged by the cheers from the roadside, Takumi Oribashi (3rd year) ran the fourth leg with determination to the end, maintaining the team's position and handing the sash over to Yuta Kinugawa (1st year) for the fifth leg. Kinugawa, making his debut in one of the three major student ekiden races, maintained the team's fifth place position with a fresh run and passed the sash to Rintaro Enoki (2nd year) for the sixth leg.
Under pressure in his first time competing in one of the three major student ekiden relay races, Enoki ran calmly and gave it his all, dropping the team down one place in the rankings to 6th place, passing the sash to Nozawa Yuma (4th year) for the 7th section. Nozawa, drawing on his experience, ran calmly and tenaciously to the end, passing the sash to Yamaguchi Shoki (2nd year) for the 8th section, with the team in 7th place. Wanting to improve their position, Yamaguchi, the anchor, ran powerfully towards the finish line, and the team finished in 7th place.
Coach Enoki Kazutaka said, "I believe that the support from everyone since early in the morning gave our athletes a push. Despite high expectations, we were unable to execute the same run as we did in the recent Izumo Ekiden, so this tournament still leaves us with some issues to work on. There is much to reflect on, but we do not have time to regret, so we will look forward and work to further strengthen the team, and will make thorough preparations in the remaining two months so that we can achieve our goal of "third place or higher" in the Hakone Ekiden. Thank you very much for today."
Comments from the players who participated.
Junna Ishimaru, 1st Section: I was aiming for the section prize and envisioned making a move towards the end, but I wasn't able to exert all my strength in the last 500 meters. I would like to pursue a run that will allow me to win at the end and improve my level in preparation for the Hakone Ekiden.
○ Section 2 Koike Riki: Following in the footsteps of Yoshida Hibiki last year, I was given the important role of running Section 2. I ran a bold and challenging race, and I think I was able to at least keep the team going. I felt that the level of the other universities was also rising, so I would like to overcome the challenge of the final sprint in preparation for the Hakone Ekiden.
Section 3: Steven Muccini: "The weather wasn't too bad, so I think I was able to run in good conditions. I placed 5th in my section, but I feel I can still run more aggressively, which is more my style. I'll do my best to run in the Hakone Ekiden and win the section prize."
○4th Section Takumi Orihashi: I received the sash in a position where I could see ahead, but I ended up being left behind, so I have some issues to work on. There are two months left until the Hakone Ekiden, so I would like to work hard in practice with the intention of rebuilding my foundation once again.
○ 5th Section, Kinugawa Yuta: This was my debut race in one of the three major Ekiden races, so I focused on enjoying the race. During the race, I was able to follow the runners ahead at my own pace, and I think I was able to run in a way that contributed to the team. Coming up are the half marathon and the Hakone Ekiden, so I'll keep practicing so I can run even better.
○6th Section: Enoki Rintaro: I was in good condition and had been training well, but my weaknesses showed from the middle of the race onwards, and I ended up dropping one place. In the period leading up to the Hakone Ekiden, I would like to face my weaknesses and take on the challenge.
Nozawa Yuma, 7th Section: My body movements became sluggish from the middle of the race, and I was not satisfied with my run. Through this race, I realized that it is important to pursue a running style that is more in line with my own style. If I can demonstrate the strength I have cultivated through my training, I have no doubt I can compete well with the top runners from other universities, so I would like to calmly analyze this race and use it in future races.
○ 8th Section Yamaguchi Shoki: As the anchor, this race was mainly a solo run. I feel confident that I was able to secure a seed with a stable run. The Hakone Ekiden will be a race in an even higher level environment, so I will continue to train to improve my level and become a strong runner who can run tough.
*All images are ©Getsuriku
