Fukushi Clinched Ticket to Rio : Osaka International Women's Marathon

Kayoko Fukushi, a free-talking jovial woman marathoner from Aomori, clinched her ticket to Rio January 31 by winning the Osaka International Marathon clocking 2:22:17. A few hours before the race she had humorously predicted, "I bet you I will win this one."

Win she really did, as she led the race right from the start all the way to the goal. Her time was good enough to clear the target time of 2:22:30 for one of the two remaining tickets to Rio. Japan has three tickets in women's Marathon - one is already claimed by Mai Ito and the last one yet undecided. Ito won hers in August Last year in Beijing where she was placed 7th in women's marathon on the last day of the world athletic championships.

Kayoko Fukushi is a versatile long-distance runner known for her brilliant performance in 5,000, 10,000 and marathon.  She ran in the summer olympics in 2002, 2008 and 2012.  Following a brief recess, she returned to marathon early in 2013 and placed 2nd in the Osaka International, January 11. She was well ahead till after 30K and outrun at 900M to the goal by Tetyana Gamera-Shmyrko. Fukushi bettered her own record by 17 seconds.

Then, again in Osaka, in November 2015, Fukushi challenged Osaka and "won" it. The race was actually won by Tetyana Gamera-Shmyrko of Ukraine, who was later disqualified on charge of doping and Fukushi was "moved up " to win the race.
So, that explains why Kayoko Fukushi was dead serious about winning Osaka this time for sure- hence her pre-race prediction. Watching her scream her guts out just after the race was over, this desk was tempted to tweet her, if not phone her, to congratulate her on a hard-won victory.
Good show, Kayoko.

News Source: Nikkei