Sprinter Abdul Hakim Sani Brown (25), javelin thrower Haruka Kitaguchi (26), and long jumper Yuki Hashioka (25). The three athletes at the top of the Japanese athletics world have been competing with each other since their student days, but they are also close enough to call each other by nicknames. A discussion between the three was held in an interview by newscaster Naoko Takahashi, a gold medalist in the marathon at the Sydney Olympics.

The relationship between the three leaders in Japanese athletics

Q: What do you call each other?
Sani Brown Abdel Hakim:

Pal, Hashioka
Yuki Hashioka:

Pal, Hakim
North Exit Haruka:

Hakim, Hashioka

Three players, Kitaguchi, Hashioka, and Sani Brown, call each other by nicknames

Sani Brown:

We’ve been together since the World Youth Championships (under 18 years old). Palu (North Exit) is…
North Exit:

Somehow, I played in the same match (with Sani Brown)
Hashioka:

I got told off (by Kitaguchi) at the World Junior Championships (under 20 tournament) (laughs)

The bond between the three of them can be further seen in the photo.

I showed them the 3S photos of Sani Brown, Kitaguchi, and Hashioka…

Sani Brown:

(Looking at the photo) That’s crazy!
Hashioka:

Isn’t Hakeem there?
North Exit:

No one there
Sani Brown:

Which indie band is this?

Of the three, who’s the one who’s “going wild”?

The three of them are usually based overseas, so when they return to Japan, they get to spend precious time together.

Sani Brown:

Usually when I get home, I’ll tell them I’ll be bored anyway and take them with me. I’m usually the one who talks to them first.
North Exit:

But I just call out to them, and nothing is ever decided…

Of the three, who’s the one who’s “going wild”?

Q (Naoko Takahashi).
Who’s the type who likes to let loose?

※Hakkeru (play around)…to fool around, to have fun, to let loose
Sani Brown:

“Let’s go wild”… It’s Hashioka
Hashioka:

Is it me?
Q. I have an image of you as a very cool person…
North Exit:

I thought of myself as the center of the group. I just follow along. I think I’ll be the middle man (laughs).

Kitaguchi talks with a smile about Hashioka

Q. Since Sani Brown is inviting me, I thought he would be the center of attention…
Hashioka:

(Sani Brown) just invites
North Exit:

It’s like inviting, guiding, and following along.
Hashioka:

What I mean by “letting loose” is that he is somewhat considerate, and although he’s not exactly keeping the mood going, he does seem to be in charge.
Sani Brown:

It’s a complete pass-through.