Japan’s Asiad stars banner Asian trackfest

Asian Games veterans Asahara Nobuharu and Suetsugu Shingo will spearhead the challenge against established stars from China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kazahkstan, Bahrain and Kuwait as Japan finally confirmed its participation in the 2003 Manila Asian Athletics Association championships with the largest delegation of 88 athletes and officials.

Nobuharu, ranked 18th in the world, finished second to Saudi Al Safaar Jamal in the Busan Asian Games last year, clocking 10.29 ticks to the latter’s 10.24 in the 100 meters. China’s Chen Haijian was third.

Shingo was the 200-m gold medallist in Korea and is ranked 25th in the world. He timed 20.38 for the event, fending off Chernovol Gennadiy of Kazakhstan who checked in at 20.57, China’s Yang Yaozu at 20.58 and Kuwait’s Al Shammari Fawzi (20.73).

Gennadiy is the 2002 Asian championships 200-m winner in Sri Lanka with a slower mark of 20.73 seconds. He also dominated the four-leg 2003 Asian Grand Prix.

Fawzi specializes in the 400-m dash and ruled both the Busan Asian Games with a new games record of 44.93 and 2002 Asian championships. He is currently ranked second in the world.

Other notables are Asian champions Yoshizawa Eiichi (men’s 20 km walk) Sawano Daichi (men’s pole vault) and Murofoshi Koji (hammer throw).

The entry of Japan has elated athletics president Go Teng Kok who observed that since the SARS crisis, the Japanese have been wary in sending their athletes to international tournaments. This brings the total confirmed number of countries from 29 last week to 35. The latest additions, aside from Japan, are Lebanon, Nepal, Syria, East Timor and Vietnam.

"Everything seems to be falling into place. I hope tuloy-tuloy na ito," Go said.

Three As secretary-treasurer Maurice Nicholas, who did an ocular inspection of the preparations being undertaken by the organizing Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association last week, also re-assured Go that all member-countries will take part.

"The visit of Mr. Nicholas and his words of assurance will likely see full participation from all member-countries. I am not surprised that even the newly-independent country of East Timor is sending five entries," Go said.

There are 43 events–22 in the men and 21 in the women-to be contested in this tournament supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, MILO, adidas, Colgate, Samsung and Gatorade. This will be the third time the Philippines is hosting the championships, the first one in 1974 in Marikina City and the second in 1993 in Manila.