Former Waseda University student Suguru Osako (2014 graduate of the School of Sports Sciences, now with Nike), completed the Tokyo Marathon 2020 on March 1 in just 2:05.29, a new Japanese record.
During the race, Osako stayed close to the leader pack until the 21km mark. From 22km he began to lag the pack and at one point, the gap seemed insurmountable. At the 32km mark, however, he caught up with the pack and seized the lead among the Japanese runners. His pace did not relent after that point. At times he held his right side in the cruise to the finish line. He had his eye on the time crossing the line – a new Japanese record. He pumped the air with his fist as he broke the ribbon.
In 2018, Osako ran the Chicago Marathon in 2:05.50, making him the first Japanese runner to beat 2h 05m. In the Tokyo Marathon, he smashed his own national record.
The final qualifying race for the Olympics, the Marathon Grand Championship (MGC) is on March 8 at the Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon. If no runner can beat the time of 2:05.29, Osako’s place at the Tokyo Olympics will be assured.
Let’s cheer on our ever-hardworking champion.