Kenyan gold medalist speaks about marathon training in Japan
Samuel Wansiru, the Kenyan marathon runner that won a gold medal on the last day of the Beijing Olympics, took some time to speak to the Japanese press in Japanese after completing the race on Sunday:
Wansiru moved to Japan from his native Kenya and studied at Sendai Ikuei High School in Miyagi Prefecture, where he was part of the school ekiden team that twice won the national championship. He also ran for Toyota Motor Corp.’s Kyushu team, although he withdrew from that club in July.
Speaking in Japanese after the race, Wansiru said, “The one thing I learned while running in Japan was how to persevere even in the most difficult conditions. I think I was perfect in persevering today.”
Wansiru used the word “endure” [gaman] several times when discussing the race, and credited the training and guidance he had received in Japan as a major factor in his victory. Not surprisingly, the Japanese press loved it, and he got almost as much attention as some of the Japanese medalists.
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Japan is the unique nation that loves to talk about person who has good relation with JP as a boasting. Except JP, No nation in the world that talk proudly about a success story of foreigners even if he or she had good relation with their own country or got a good influence of their own country. That’s why JP is discriminated by the people who are fair and mature. wwwwwww
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I respect this Kenyan runner who learned in Japan.
I am glad that the Japanese people are proud of this blackman who leaned in Japan.
For some reason it seems some people discriminate JP for that and they think that the discrimination is fair.
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I think you are wrong this sort of thing is common all over the world, but probably more so in smaller countries. But Japan bizarrely has the “small country” mentality.
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I think most Asian countries are like this. I bet Chinese press might cover many foreigners (especially westerners) who mention China as a reason of their success. At least Thai press does just like this.
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Wow. What a dick thing to say.
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Actually, I was disappointed about the Wansiru’s coverage about hid gold medal.
As on Aug 27, Japanese press do not cover him as much as it is described in this article at least in Tokai area.
I hope more Japanese press gives his coverage in the future.
According to yesterday’s Yomiuri Online News, he’s currently trying to find new sponsor. He already declare to resign from Toyota Kyushu to concentrate his marathon.
And today, Yomiuri said he going to skip his press conference in Japan. Instead, he was invited by Kenyan president for his ceremony in Kenya.
These news could imply that the relationship between him and his circumstances in Japan might have not been good.
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He’s Kenyan and he’s being invited by their president. Of course he’s going to skip a mere press conference. And like you said, he resigned from Toyota to focus on his marathon training. I don’t see anything here that would imply that “relationship between him and his circumstances in Japan might have not been good”.
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My lack of explanation.
The article said that the team coach couldn’t get in touch with Wansiru for a couple days.
Also Waisiru turned in the resignation letter in July, but he hadn’t really resigned until now from Toyota yet due to his immigration circumstances.
Toyota just approved his resignation on Aug 25th. But I don’t think he resigned yet.
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I rented this movie called “ekiden” to watch on the plane ride home…it totally sucked. Worst buy ever.
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This is a great story! I am so proud of Wansiru!!! I put this in my link round-up this week.
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I might have met or seen this guy and not have known it. Fukuoka is a small town…
I knew he was here last year but I sure didn’t know that he would win the gold in Beijing! Small world, eh?
P.S. K1 fans! –Andy Hugg walked by me years ago at around 4 AM. I was too smashed to greet him and didn’t want to disturb his privacy anyhow. RIP
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