Quotes From the Fukuoka International Marathon Pre-Race Press Conference

Video interviews with Samuel Wanjiru, Toshinari Takaoka, Atsushi Fujita, Shigeru Aburaya and Atsushi Fujita are available at:

http://www.kbc.co.jp/sports/f-marathon2007/

Click on each line of text in the central box to the right of the five pictures to see the videos. Japanese language only. A separate text article:

http://www.jiji.com/jc/c?g=spo_30&k=2007113000760

translated by Mika Tokairin and Brett Larner

The invited elite runners for Sunday`s Olympic qualifying Fukuoka International Marathon gathered on Nov. 30 for the event`s pre-race press conference. Some quotes from the conference:

"I am going for a 2:06. I am quite confident about it." -Samuel Wanjiru, 1/2 marathon world record holder and marathon debutant

"When I lost four years ago at the selection race for Athens I thought I wouldn`t have another one. I am happy to be here to have a chance to compete." -Toshinari Takaoka, Japanese national marathon record holder

"I have good karma in Fukuoka [having marked a Japanese record here seven years ago]. I will try not to get too nervous and just race as usual." -Atsushi Fujita, course record holder

"I haven`t scored a good result since Athens. I want a good result this time." -Shigeru Aburaya, fifth place finisher in Athens Olympics, 2001 and 2003 World Championships

"I want to know what I can do among these strong runners. I am looking forward to it." -Atsushi Sato, Japanese national 1/2 marathon record holder

IAAF preview of Fukuoka

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