Text by Masato Sakai
January 2, 2022, 98th Hakone Ekiden, Yamato Yoshii (Chuo Univ.) running in the 1st ward Photo: Matsuo/Afro Sports/Japan Sports Press Association
5 dark horses
Komadai aims for the triple crown and Seigakudai aims for consecutive victories. In terms of strength, both schools are missing, but if there is a mistake, the “winning line” will go down. Tokyo International University, which finished fifth last year, and Chuo University, which finished third in the Izumo Ekiden. The top five universities in the All Japan University Ekiden, Kokugakuin University, Jundai, and Soka University, have the potential to break the top two.
So what strategies are effective? I want to find a way to break through the Dark Horse School.
Where to cut the “joker”
First of all, Chuo University can make an impact in the early stages. Last time, Yamato Yoshii (3 years) ran alone in the 1st ward. He broke his oldest section record for the first time in 15 years, and outpaced his rivals by more than 39 seconds. The commanders of other schools are terrified of the section where Yoshii enters. Masakazu Fujiwara, the Ekiden manager, fully understands this, and where in the 1st to 3rd wards should Yoshii be placed? The plan is to make a final decision while keeping an eye on the trends of rival schools.
Last time he dropped to 11th place in Section 2, but this time Shota Nakano (3rd year), who holds the Chuo University record for 10,000m (28:00.86) and is strong on the climb, is a candidate for Section 2. I will be able to stick with it more than last time. Michio Senmori (4th year), who ran well in Izumo and All Japan, and Shunkyo Yoshii (1st year), who marked 28:06.27 in the 10,000m, fourth fastest in U20 history, are also candidates for the outbound route. Haruki Abe (2nd year), who placed 6th last year, is in the 5th ward, and Yodai Wakabayashi (4th year), who was 5th in the previous year, is in the 6th ward. Candidates for the return trip include Yudai Nakazawa (4th year), who was 3rd in the 8th ward last time, Jin Yuasa (3rd year), who was 3rd in the 9th ward, and Reio Yamadaira (2nd year), who was 3rd in the Kanto intercollegiate half. there is
Considering the pressure on the top two, Yamato Yoshii will be effective in the 1st ward. This is because it is difficult to make the most of their characteristics in the 2nd ward, and they may not be able to compete for the top spot in the 3rd ward. This season, Yoshii’s explosive power is outstanding, as he has succeeded in getting out of the early stages of Izumo 1st Ward. Ace can put pressure on the runners in the 1st section aiming for the championship by bringing it to the super high speed race. That can lead to big mistakes.
January 2, 2022, 98th Hakone Ekiden, Ryuji Miura (Juntendo Univ.) running in Section 2 Photo: Aflo
Last year’s second-place finisher, Jundai, will be the point of the section of Ryuji Miura (3rd year), who achieved the feat of finishing 7th in the 3000m steeplechase at the Tokyo Olympics. Last time, he served in the 2nd section and finished 11th in the section. He played a role for the team, but he didn’t have the image of running fast, partly because Shunsuke Taira (4th year) was late in the 18th place.
Last time, Tatsuya Iyoda (4th year) in the 3rd ward was third in the section, Kazuki Ishii (3rd year) in the 4th ward was in the 2nd place, and Shunsuke Shikama (4th year) in the 5th ward was in the 5th place. Iyoda and Ishii had run in the same section for the second year in a row, and regretted that the 5th section, Shikama, was overpaced. These three sections can be calculated as attack points, so it would be better not to move them. Soma Hattori (2nd year), a candidate for the 6th ward, has high expectations, and captain Yuma Nishizawa (4th year), who showed a fast run in the All Japan 6th ward, is expected to be active in the important section on the return trip.
If you think by elimination method, Miura’s section will be 1 or 2 sections. It will depend on the finish, but I think it would be better to entrust Yusaku Nomura (4th year), who served two years ago, in the second section of the flower, and to compete in the first section as the ace. Even if Yamato Yoshii of Chuo University comes, we can bring it into a development where the two of us can escape. If Yoshii goes to another section, there is a high possibility that he will be able to broadcast the top with an overwhelming spurt. In any case, Miura should feel threatened by rival schools if he enters the first district instead of the second.
