Hayato Seki of SG Holdings announced his retirement effective 30 September. Looking back on his achievements during his time with the company, including competing in the New Year Ekiden, he indicated that he intends to focus on his work at the company.
Hayato Seki (關颯人), from Nagano Prefecture, is 29 years old and in his 7th year as a working professional. He is affiliated with SG Holdings, which announced that he would retire effective 30 September. In middle school, he finished 8th in the Junior Olympics 3,000 meters. During his time at Suko High School, he placed in national track and ekiden competitions, and in his 3rd year he won the first section of the high-school ekiden. After enrolling at Tokai University, he won the 5,000-meter individual university championship and finished 7th at the Japan Intercollegiate Championships, among other achievements.
In ekiden competition, he won section awards in his 1st and 2nd years at the Izumo Ekiden, and in his 2nd year crossed the finish line for the winning team. After joining SG Holdings, he suffered a series of injuries but competed in the New Year Ekiden twice and contributed to the team. In his retirement address, he said, “I am grateful that, over 7 years, I was able to continue competing with the support of so many people in an excellent environment.” He stated that he intends to focus on his work at the company and wrote that he wanted to repay the company for its support.