Takayuki Matsumiya Completes Double; Adds 5,000m Crown to Friday Night’s 10,000m Win

Set for 5/10 Double in Beijing

June 29, 2008

Showing little signs of fatigue from his victory Thursday night in the 10,000m, Takayuki Mastumiya came yesterday to add the 5,000m to his collection of national championship wins. It marks the third consecutive year for him to achieve the 5/10 double. The race unfolded in a manner well-suited to Matsumiya’s strong finishing kick. After a solid opening kilometer, the field let the pace lag to 2:52-2:53. As the pace ratcheted up, Matsumiya was able to outkick Waseda University’s Kensuke Takezawa with a closing 2:37 kilometer to win by two seconds. Having already gained his “A” standard, with the 13:13.20 National Record he set at last summer’s KBC Night of Athletics meet, Takayuki will now set his sites on the Olympic 5,000/10,000 double.

 Photo by Toshihiro Kitagawa of Norte, Inc