The Japan Association of Athletics Federations has announced seven race walkers as the national team nominees for the Asian Games, set to be held in Aichi and Nagoya from September 19 to October 4. This marks the first time the event will be hosted in Japan in 32 years. The race walking competitions are scheduled for September 23 and 27.
In the men’s marathon race walk, the selected athletes are Hayato Katsuki (35, Japan Self-Defense Forces Physical Training School), who won a bronze medal in the men’s 35km event at last summer’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, and Motofumi Suwa (26, Aichi Steel), who secured victory in this category at the Japan Championships in March.
For the men’s half marathon race walk, Toshikazu Yamanishi (30, Aichi Steel), who set a world record of 1:20:34 in the same event at the February Japan Championships, and Kento Yoshikawa (24, Yokohama City Athletics Association), who finished second, have been nominated.
On the women’s side, Sachiko Umeno (23, LOCOK), who won both the marathon race walk and half marathon race walk at the Japan Championships, will compete in the marathon race walk alongside Maika Yurai (27, Chiba Kogyo Bank). The half marathon race walk nominee is Ayane Yanai (22, Fujitsu).
Due to limited delegation quotas, the second athlete for the women’s half marathon race walk will be selected after the Japan Athletics Championships in June, in conjunction with track and field events. These nominees will be formally confirmed as official representatives following approval by the Japanese Olympic Committee.
【Men’s Marathon Race Walk】
– Hayato Katsuki: Born November 28, 1990, Japan Self-Defense Forces Physical Training School (Saitama). Previous Asian Games appearances: 2 (Hangzhou 2023, Jakarta 2018). Personal best: 2:55:28. Selection event result: 1st place at the 62nd All Japan Race Walking Takahata Meet.
– Motofumi Suwa: Born October 22, 1999, Aichi Steel (Aichi). First Asian Games appearance. Personal best: 2:58:21. Selection event result: 1st place at the 110th Japan Athletics Championships – Marathon Race Walk.
【Men’s Half Marathon Race Walk】
– Toshikazu Yamanishi: Born February 15, 1996, Aichi Steel (Aichi). Previous Asian Games appearances: 1 (Jakarta 2018). Personal best: 1:20:34. Selection event result: 1st place at the 109th Japan Athletics Championships – Half Marathon Race Walk.