At the 89th Inter-University Athletic Championship of Kanto which was held on May 22nd (Saturday) at the National Stadium, the Chuo University Track and Field Team won the 4 x 100 meters relay (3rd day of event) by posting a time of 38.54 seconds. The time is a new record for Japanese students.

The posted time of 38.54 seconds is a Japanese record for an independent team which does not include professional athletes representing Japan. When compared to results from the 2008 Beijing Olympics and last year's Berlin IAAF World Championships, the time is a glorious record which would have placed the team 5th and 6th in the respective events.
Furthermore, the team is ranked 5th in the world for this season's rankings (as of May 22nd).

Thank you very much for your support of the track and field team.

Athletes competing in the 4 x 100 relay:

1st Runner:

Jun Hatakeyama (Faculty of Policy Studies, 2nd Year)

2nd Runner:

Sota Kawatsura (Faculty of Law, 3rd Year)

3rd Runner:

Genki Kawai (Faculty of Letters, 3rd Year)

4th Runner:

Shota Iizuka (Faculty of Law, 1st Year)

Comment from Coach Oguri of the Track and Field Team:

We were able to set the student record in the 4 x 100 meters relay because each runner, from the first to the last, ran the best race possible and because our baton passes were almost perfect. We work hard to practice teamwork every day, and we were able to display the results of that training in the championship event. This victory was made possible not only by the efforts of the 4 athletes who competed in the race, but also by the support of substitute members and the entire track and field team. We are all very thankful for the wonderful support from so many people.

Photographs Offered By: Track and Field Team (top of page)
Photographs Offered By: Chuo Sports Newspaper Department (bottom of page; all 3 photographs)