japan running news

On Aug. 1, Sina Sports reported that Kenyan marathoner Wilson Loyanae Erupe has been granted his long-sought after transfer of nationality to South Korea. Former South Korean national marathon coach Chang Seok Oh , who now represents Erupe, made the announcement of Erupe's acquisition of South Korean citizenship on July 31. Erupe, 29, has been based in South Korea since June, 2015. His application for South Korean citizenship in April, 2016 was rejected, but after two years he has now successfully completed the naturalization process. Erupe's best time of 2:05:13 was set at the March, 2016 Seoul International Marathon, far beyond the current South Korean national record of 2:07:20. It is to be expected that Erupe will serve as a catalyzing agent in the long-stagnant South Korean men's marathon scene, but according to the provisions laid out by the IAAF board of directors last week, "Naturalized athletes may not compete as a national team member for 3 years." ...

http://japanese.donga.com/List/3/all/27/531014/1 http://english.donga.com/List/3/06/26/528066/1 translated and edited by Brett Larner The symbol of yin and yang upon his chest, a black man may become the first of his kind to represent South Korea in the marathon.  On April 6 the Korean Sports Council (KSC) will hold a session to deliberate on a special recommendation of naturalization for Kenyan-born marathoner Wilson Loyanae Erupe (28, Cheongyang).  Erupe also has the Korean name Joo Han Oh , meaning "I will run for Korea."  The KSC previously held a session on Erupe's naturalization on January 7 but, citing a lack of adequate documentation concerning Erupe's prior suspension for performance-enhancing drug use, postponed making a recommendation.  Erupe claimed that, "The positive result was due to medicine I took for malaria, but Athletics Kenya did not accept this and suspended me for two years." Following the postponement of the recommendation, th...