Hibiki Yoshida Aims for Historic Sub-2:03 Marathon Record in Japan

A performance and personality beyond the norm

“The response was incredible. A friend in Indonesia even messaged me saying, ‘It was in the news.’ It seems I was nicknamed ‘Dot Kids’ overseas.”

At this year’s Osaka Marathon in February, Hibiki Yoshida (23, Sunbelx) appeared at the starting line with an unusual look, covered from ankles to face with black circular Power Tape. He broke away from the pacemakers 8 km into the race and ran solo (see photo above). He maintained a pace well ahead of the Japanese record (2:04:55) until the halfway point, becoming the center of attention in the race.

Yoshida is not just a hype-driven runner. In the ’25 Hakone Ekiden, he ran the second flower stage as the ace of Soka University, recording the fastest-ever time by a Japanese runner in that section at 1:05:43. On New Year’s Day at this year’s New Year Ekiden (All-Japan Corporate Team Ekiden), he passed 22 runners and set a new stage record.

In his debut marathon in Osaka, Yoshida was aiming for the “MGC Fast Pass” time of under 2:03:59, which would secure Olympic selection for the 2028 Los Angeles Games at the earliest opportunity.

His initial plan was to conserve energy behind the pacemakers and make a move around the 25 km mark. Yoshida explained:

“However, the pacemakers felt slow to me. Forcing myself to hold back felt more draining. So rather than consciously making a move for the record, it felt like I naturally went. I was very calm.”

In the end, he faded significantly in the final 5 km, finishing 34th in 2:09:35. However, his aggressive no limiter racing style clearly showed his potential.

“Until around 35 km, I was on pace to challenge the Japanese record, so it came down to whether I could hold on through the final 7 km. Looking at recent Tokyo Marathons, foreign athletes are casually running in the 2:03 range. We have to evolve too.

A conservative, textbook race that saves energy until the 30 km mark and then finishes strong is understandable. But conversely, like my race in Osaka, if someone can break away and hold the lead to the finish, I think that’s a way to get closer to the world. I want to be the first in Japan to run like that.”

What makes Yoshida beyond the norm is not limited to race tactics. When asked about the full-body Power Tape that drew so much attention in Osaka, he laughed:

“Looking back at the photos, even I think it looks a bit scary.”

“I had tightness left in my upper body and face after pushing too hard in training camp. I used the tape to ease that. I’ve been using Phiten tape since my student days and I think it worked. But even Tsukurawa Masaya and Ota Aoi—both former Aoyama Gakuin runners now at GMO Internet Group—teased me, asking, ‘Why did you put on that much?’”

An ever-evolving maverick

He reportedly plans to self-restrict the use of full-body Power Tape going forward, but Yoshida’s approach and career path remain outside conventional frameworks—from transferring from Tokai University to Soka University, turning professional immediately after graduation, to taking on both marathon running and trail running.

“Most corporate team runners would never do trail running because of the injury risk—it’s uneven, up-and-down terrain, not paved roads. But I normally switch training locations flexibly with Coach Daichi Takigawa.”

At the time of the interview, his training location was Yokohama’s Yamashita Park, bustling with tourists on a holiday. Yoshida’s figure, seemingly enjoying the act of running itself, left a strong impression (see second photo).

He says he is occasionally approached by other runners during training, but adds that he welcomes it.

“I don’t get nervous at all during races, but fan meetings make my heart feel like it’s going to jump out (laughs). Still, interacting with fans really helps me stay motivated. In the Osaka Marathon, I was exhausted in the final stages, but hearing people shout, ‘Hibiki, keep going!’ helped me finish.”

His first year as a professional was a period of building a foundation for the future. His gaze is already set beyond that. His goals are sub-2:03 marathon times and a medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“It’s about two years until the LA Olympics. I need to grow incredibly fast with serious intensity and commitment to make it in time. In this year’s Hakone Ekiden, Aoi Kuroda of Aoyama Gakuin ran an amazing fifth stage uphill, breaking the stage record by 1 minute and 55 seconds.

He’s also joining a corporate team (GMO Internet Group) this spring, and I think younger athletes will keep emerging, so I want to keep evolving to stay ahead. My theme has always been to surpass expectations, and I want to keep pursuing that.”

Can this maverick of Japanese long-distance running break through both convention and the world’s barriers?

From the April 17/24, 2026 issue of “FRIDAY”