[Izumo Ekiden]”We can be confident as a team that we were able to compete for the championship.” Post-race interview with Komazawa University coach Atsushi Fujita |

2nd place in Izumo Ekiden, the opening round of the three main relay races. This is a post-race interview with Komazawa University coach Atsushi Fujita.

— Looking back on the race
“The main point is that we failed to take advantage of Shinohara (Koutarou, 4th year), and I think that is the reason why we lost as a team.

–The first ward started very slowly, and from there things moved suddenly. What plan did Director Fujita have in mind?
“The sun was strong today, so I thought no one would be able to take the lead. I had an idea of ​​how things would turn out in Ward 1.”

– – Komazawa, Aoyama Gakuin, and Kokugakuin were tied for the anchor battle, but how was the race going?
“I couldn’t win in the end in every category.The same goes for Kuwata (Shunsuke, 1st year) in the 1st ward, and Kiyama (Yudai, 3rd year) in the 2nd ward also made no progress. Yamakawa (Takuma, 3rd year) from Ward 3 was also left behind by Kuroda (from Aoyama Gakuin University) at the end. Ito (Soui, 3rd year) from the 4th ward was able to run at the front, but he is full of Kokugakuin. Shimako (Kosuke, 2nd year) from the 5th ward was finally given away by Uehara (from Kokugakuin University). I think when that gathering went to the anchor, that’s what we call behind. It was not an advantage, but when we were behind, there was a part where it was not the “race to win” that we had imagined.Among them, I had finally put Shinohara as the real ace, so I thought he would be able to do something, but I was starting to get tired from running 13 minutes 15.70 seconds in the Yogibo Athletics Challenge Cup last month.”

–This time, the relay race was held without Sato (Keita, 3rd year). I think you said, “Sato has helped us so far, and this time we will help him as a team.” How was this competition in that sense?
“We have had a bad run since spring this year, but the fact that we were able to compete for the championship this time gives us confidence as a team. When we won the Izumo Ekiden in the past, we defeated Keita from the 2nd ward at the end of each section. I think it was a burden on Shinohara Well again, so I think we can create a team that will be able to compete at the next All Japan.”

— In the Izumo Ekiden, the first of the three main relay races, you almost missed out on victory. I think you started the Ekiden season with a bit of disappointment, but are there any positive aspects that you have gained this time?
“As expected, Kuwata, Kiyama, and Shimako, who were running for the first time, were able to compete for the lead fighting for the lead in some very important situations, and the experience of being able to run in that situation is very important.”

– As for Sato, he is a member of the All Japan team, but what is the situation like?
“I can’t push myself too hard on that one. ‘

— What are the expectations for All Japan and Hakone Ekiden as a team?
“For this time, instead of having a strong team from the start like last year, I wanted to win at Izumo first and gain confidence going into the All-Japan Ekiden University. After that, I wanted to win at All-Japan and get even more confidence high, so I want to win first and take on Hakone.”

◆『I’ll Take It” presents a live broadcast of the 36th Izumo University All-Japan Election Relay Race◆
October 14, 2024 (Monday / Sports Day) 13:00-15:30
Commentary: Yusuke Takabayashi (Ekiden Track and Field Men’s Coach at Rikkyo University)
Live commentary: announcer Kazumi Saito (Bunka Broadcasting)
◆ Different ways to listen ◆Terrestrial FM91.6/AM1134 radiko internet radio