Japanese Olympians for Cork

FOR a number of years the Japanese federation sent small teams of athletes to Cork City Sports and that relationship will be renewed at The Mardyke on July 12 when the Far East will be represented by at least two of their Olympic hopefuls.

Included in the team is Maru Ozaki, a 2:23 marathon runner who is a leading contender for a place on Japan’s team for the Olympics. She will be joined in the 3000m race by Akanie Taira and Yoshiko Fujinaga.

The Irish challenge in the women’s 3,000m will once again be spearheaded by Maria McCambridge (DSD) in a field that will also include such notables as Victoria Mitchell, Americans Molly Huddle and Renee Baillie and Megan Metcalfe from Canada.

The Japanese will also have their record holder in the long jump — Kumiko Ikeda (6.80m) — who will be joining a star-studded field that includes Olympic, world and European pentathlon champion, Carolina Kluft.

There are five men on the Japanese team and three of those, Jyun Shintoto, Tomoaki Bungo and Kenji Murokuka, will compete in the men’s 3,000m.

“We have a long and healthy relationship with the Japanese,” City Sports chief, Dick Hodgins, said. “For many years they came to Cork and naturally we are delighted that this relationship has been renewed.”

There was further good news for Cork fans this week when leading sprinter Paul Hession confirmed his participation.

“It is a great meeting with a great atmosphere and I am really looking forward to it,” said the Athenry man.

David Gillick, however, will be absent from the 400m line up. The two-time European indoor champion has been given a lane in the Golden League meeting in Rome the previous night.