26 November 2024

Qualifying for the New Year Ekiden

On November 10th, I went to support our company’s athletics team at the 67th Kansai Corporate Ekiden Championship in Wakayama Prefecture. This tournament also served as a qualifier for the national New Year Ekiden (relay race), and so we cheered on our team as they ran to earn a spot in the new year’s event for the eighth consecutive time and 11th time overall.

Among the spectators along the route were supporters of the various corporate teams in the competition and members of the general public. We all cheered loudly and were treated to a very competitive race. Indeed, it was a tough race for our team through the middle stages but everyone ran tenaciously. In the final leg, Kazuki Tamura gave us a strong finish. He closed a 52-second gap with the runner ahead of him and recorded the fastest time in the leg. Sumitomo Electric finished in fourth place overall, a result I’m happy with because it was achieved by everyone working together as a team and giving their utmost effort until the end. I’m also thankful to all the people who came out to support the team.

Cheering on a strong run
Cheering on a strong run
Tamura ran the fastest final leg
Tamura ran the fastest final leg

Now that we have successfully qualified for the New Year Ekiden, my wish is for our runners to spend the next month and a half training to get even better, while also taking care to avoid injury and stay in good health. I hope for the continued support of everyone who follows our athletic team’s activities.

Good luck at the New Year Ekiden!
Good luck at the New Year Ekiden!
Good luck at the New Year Ekiden!

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