Waseda and Kokugakuin: “4th-place finish and 3rd-place finish” – The Background of the Split

Waseda University, which was not so highly rated, did very well to finish in 4th place. Although they finished one place higher than Waseda, Kunigakuin University was aiming for the triple crown of university ekiden (Izumo, All-Japan, and Hakone), so this is a regrettable result.

Marathon commentator Tetsuhiko Kim, who competed in the Hakone Ekiden four years in a row when he was at Waseda University, said, “We are very disappointed with the result.

The 101st Hakone Ekiden was held on January 2 and 3. While Aoyama Gakuin University won the overall championship for the eighth time in two consecutive years with a time of 10 hours, 41 minutes, and 19 seconds, breaking the new record (10 hours, 41 minutes, and 25 seconds) set last year by the team itself, there were two schools that had a very different story. The two schools that were divided were Waseda University and Kokugakuin University, which Mr. Kim mentioned at the beginning of this article.

Waseda University, which has not won the Hakone crown since 1999, came in fourth, just one step away from breaking the stronghold of the “top three” (Aogaku University, Komazawa University, and Kokugakuin University) of the championship contenders.

The sports newspapers closely followed the run of Shinsaku Kudo (sophomore, Yachiyo Shoin High School), who brought Waseda University from 6th to 3rd place in the “mountain-climbing” 5th section. His glasses-wearing, intellectual appearance has earned him the nickname “the mountain detective,” a reference to a popular manga.

He ran a great race in the 6th section, which he is not very good at.

However, Mr. Kim has a different view.

Of course, there is no doubt that Kudo’s efforts were significant. However, the driving force behind Waseda University’s breakthrough was the strong performance of Kazufuki Yamazaki (sophomore, Gakufo Ishikawa High School), who ran the first six sections of the return route. Waseda University has always had a problem with the “descent” of mountains, even if they have been able to hold their own on the “ascent,” and they have lost a lot of ground in the 6th section.

In the 6th section, which is Waseda University’s weak point, Yamazaki ran an excellent race, coming in 5th in the section. Yamazaki’s smooth pitch running style is suited for “downhill” running. This season, Waseda University had about three candidates for the “downhill” race. I think the biggest reason for his breakthrough is that he was able to conquer this daunting obstacle.

Behind this is Waseda University’s attitude of not aiming for the Hakone Ekiden but looking ahead.

Yota Ifuku (senior, Rakunan High School), a member of the 8th section, has been participating in full marathons since his school days. The team’s policy of looking to the future, rather than the Hakone Ekiden as the goal, is probably the reason for the depth of the team’s athletes, who have overcome the “descent from the mountains.

Pressure like I’ve never experienced before.

On the other hand, KOKUGAKUIN Univ.

Although they finished in third place, one place above Waseda University, one of the “top three” was not satisfied with the result, as they were not able to win the championship until the very end.

The reason why we failed to win the championship can be summed up in one word: the pressure we have never experienced before. Although Kokugakuin University had never won Hakone, they had won Izumo and All-Japan twice in a row, so expectations for the Triple Crown were very high. The athletes must have felt the pressure of the media, who do not usually show up in large numbers, showing up at the training grounds.

The runners in the 2nd section, Kiyosumi Hirabayashi (senior, Mikata High School) and Ryusho Uehara (junior, Kitayama High School) in the 9th section were clearly not running as they should have, even though they were capable of upsetting Aogaku University and Komazawa University. I got the impression that their bodies were not able to keep up with their impatience. I think I was only able to give about 70% of what I had in my first experience on a big stage with a lot of tension and attention.

However, Mr. Kim says that this experience will be a great source of food for the next year and beyond.

The underclassmen, especially those in their first and second years, will be able to run with confidence next year, no matter what the situation is, after experiencing the pressure they were under this time. It was a good opportunity for them to develop the mental strength not to be defeated by the pressure. I hope that next time they will achieve their long-cherished dream of winning the Triple Crown and become true university champions.

Waseda University and Kokugakuin University were evenly matched this time, but no one can predict what will happen a year from now. The youngsters will grow far beyond our expectations.