The Aomori National Sports Festival athletics preview profiles athletes targeting top finishes in the men’s senior long jump, 800 m, steeplechase and sprint events, along with representatives in the boys’ and girls’ youth divisions.
In the men’s senior division, Yamakawa Natsuki (山川夏輝) reached 8.02 m in the long jump and is expected to pursue a second consecutive title. Okamura Sota (岡村颯太) finished 5th in the 800 m at the Japan Championships in June and is targeting an even higher finish. Ozono Rintaro (大園倫太郎) in the 3,000 m steeplechase and Matsumoto Yuto (松本悠斗) in the 300 m are also targeting places on the podium.
In the boys’ youth division, Ishikawa Haruto (石川晴飛) and Mawatari Yudai (馬渡雄大) of 龍谷高, who finished 5th in the national high school championships 400 m relay, will compete in sprint events. Hayashi Koya (林昊也) of 鳥栖工高 is targeting a podium finish in the 5,000 m race walk, building on his 3rd-place finish at the national high school championships. In the women’s senior division, Nagaishi Koyuki (永石小雪) of 立命大 finished 3rd at the Japan Intercollegiate Championships, and steady progress from last year’s 8th place is expected.
The accompanying material also lists accompanying staff, coaches and athletes, organizing the competitors in each category.