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Lead Stories: Sunday, September 7, 2008

On the Web: Fukushi’s Dramatic Finish at Osaka Marathon

Posted January 28th, 2008 at 10:30 AM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Not surprisingly, the video of Kayoko Fukushi finishing yesterday’s Osaka International Marathon has made its way to YouTube. It’s tough to watch an athlete struggle like this, but it really shows her toughness. Take a look.

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Fukushi To Make Marathon Debut in Osaka

Posted December 20th, 2007 at 12:00 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Kayoko Fukushi, who holds Japanese records for 3000m, 5000m and the half-marathon, will make her marathon debut at next month’s Osaka International Ladies Marathon and attempt to qualify for the Beijing Olympics at that distance, organizers announced earlier this week.

Running for the Wacoal corporate team, the 25 year-old Fukushi has become Japan’s top distance runner on the track and has already made a name for herself in road racing. In just three attempts at the half-marathon distance she has run 68 minutes are better twice, including her Asian record 67:26 set in Marugame in 2006.
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TFS News Briefs: 12/19/07

Posted December 19th, 2007 at 3:00 PM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, TFS News Briefs

Pistorius Report Sent To IAAF, To Be Made Public on January 10th
The IAAF, who commissioned a biomechanical analysis on Oscar Pistorius’ prosthetics, has received the results but will not make the report public until January 10th, 2008. Pistorius, a double amputee, is hoping to be cleared by the IAAF to try and qualify for the Beijing Olympics.Read more at: [IAAF]

IAAF Road-Running TV Show Set for 2008
The IAAF, along with Fox Sports International, will be broadcasting a weekly road-running show in 2008 title “Running Road Show.” According to the IAAF, the shows will cover “a variety of topics from lifestyle to competition updates and runner profiles, meeting the world’s greatest runners and reliving the world’s greatest road races.” A total of 50 shows are slotted for 2008 with an option for renewal. Read more at: [IAAF]

Kayoko Fukushi to Make Marathon Debut in Osaka
Kayoko Fukushi, Japan’s record holder for the 5000m and the half-marathon, is set to make her marathon debut at the Osaka International Ladies Marathon on January 27th, 2008. Her motivation in doing so is to qualify for Beijing in the marathon. Read more at: [The Daily Yomiuri, Japan]
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Plodding Pace Helps Defar to 5000m Gold

Posted September 1st, 2007 at 1:00 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Special Features, Live Race Coverage

Meseret Defar, the reigning Olympic gold medalist and world record holder at 5000m, claimed her first outdoor world title on the pentultimate day of the 11th IAAF World Championships at Nagai Stadium.

Helped by a plodding pace set by fan favorite Kayoko Fukushi, who was doubling back from the 10,000m, Defar did little but wait for 11 of the 12 and one-half laps. In the early going, she simply trailed a step behind Fukushi who was turning gentle 74 and 75 second laps. It wasn’t until the 11th lap that Vivian Cheruiyot tried to jump start the race with a sub-72 circuit. At the bell, Defar applied the pressure, but held her big sprint for the end.

“In the last 400 meters I increased the length of my stride,” said Defar after the race as if teaching a class. “And in the last 200 meters I used my sprint to win.”

Elementary, my dear Watson! Her 58.6 second final lap gave her a more than adequate cushion at the finish, grabbing the gold medal in 14:57.91, Ethiopia’s third of these championships.
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