■Yogibo Athletics Challenge Cup 2024 (29th, Niigata/Denka Big Swan Stadium)

The men’s 100m final was held, and Tokyo Olympic representative Yuki Koike (29, Sumitomo Electric) won with a time of 10.28 seconds (-1.0m). At the beginning of the race, the seven participants lined up side by side. It was Koike who accelerated after 50m. He broke through the chaos and finished in first place.

In an on-site interview after the race, Koike said, “In the second half of the season, I was able to run with over 80 points, so I feel like I was able to do just that this race as well.”

“In terms of response, I’m at a very good place in recent years, so I think if I keep brushing up, I’ll be able to break the standard record and make it to the national team, so I’d like to focus on winning the right to represent the team first.” , showed confidence as he prepares to participate in the World Athletics Championships to be held in Tokyo next year.

In second place was Katsutoshi Uno (23, Orico) who marked 10.34 seconds. Tokyo Olympics representative Shuhei Tada (28, Sumitomo Electric) advanced to the final with a time of 10.39 seconds (+0.4m), finishing second in his group, but withdrew. Additionally, Rashid Muratake (22, JAL), who became the first Japanese athlete to advance to the finals in the 110m hurdles at the Paris Olympics™, will compete in the men’s 100mC final, which is not his specialty. He finished in 6th place with a time of 10.57 seconds (-0.2m).

*The photo is Yuki Koike.