Dignified Female Athletes to Watch in Paris: Yumi Tanaka, Mako Fukube, Sumire Hata
Athletes in action at the Japan Athletics Championships, which also serves as the selection of Japan's Olympic team!
At the Japan Track and Field Championships held from June 27 to 30, top athletes representing the Japanese track and field world gathered, with many securing their spots for the Olympics. Among them, FRIDAY focused on five female athletes.
Sumire Hata (28) in the long jump and Mako Fukube (28) in the 100m hurdles both won their events and secured their Olympic spots. Yumi Tanaka (25), who finished just 0.03 seconds behind Fukube in second place in the 100m hurdles, did not secure her spot outright but is likely to be selected based on her world ranking.
Nagisa Takahashi (24), who achieved her third consecutive championship in the high jump, also remains a strong candidate for selection.
“Nozomi Tanaka (24) has already secured her spot in the 5000m and also secured a place in the 1500m. She is the closest to winning an Olympic medal,” said a sports newspaper editor.
The day to witness their brave performances in Paris is approaching.
Mako Fukube (28) 100m hurdles
Born in 1995 in Hiroshima Prefecture. Height: 166 cm. After graduating from Nippon Sport Science University, she joined Nippon Construction Industry. In the finals of the 2022 All-Japan Corporate Team Championships, she set a new Japanese record with a time of 12.73 seconds.
Sumire Hata (28) – Long Jump
Born in 1996 in Osaka Prefecture. Height: 169 cm. During high school, she focused on sprinting and high jump, but after entering Mukogawa Women’s University, she switched to long jump. In 2023, she set a new Japanese record with a jump of 6.97 meters.
Nagisa Takahashi (24) high jump
Born in 2000 in Tokyo. Height: 173 cm. She discovered athletics during middle school physical education classes, and after graduating from Nihon University, she joined Mason Work. In the recent Japan Track and Field Championships, she achieved a three-time consecutive victory by recording 1.87 meters.
Nozomi Tanaka (24) – Middle to Long Distance
Born in 1999 in Hyogo Prefecture. Height: 153 cm. She started athletics seriously in middle school. Graduated from Doshisha University. She holds Japanese records in the 1000m, 1500m, 3000m, and 5000m events. She will compete in the 1500m and 5000m events in Paris.
From the July 19, 2024 issue of FRIDAY
PHOTO： Tsutomu Kishimoto/PICSPORT
