Japan advances to final of men's 4x100-meter relay

Friday 22nd August, 05:53 AM JST

BEIJING —

Japanese sprinters advanced to the final of the men’s 4x100-meter relay at the Beijing Olympics with a second place finish in their heat Thursday. Naoki Tsukahara, Shingo Suetsugu, Shinji Takahira and Nobuharu Asahara clocked 38.52 seconds to finish 0.26 second behind Trinidad and Tobago in the first of two heats at National Stadium. In the same heat, the United States, last year’s world champion, failed to finish the race after a missed passing of the baton. ‘‘In individual events those on the top stand out in strength, but I was thinking we can manage something (in a relay),’’ Takahira said. ‘‘If I remain in the top three, our anchor Asahara-san will handle the rest.’’

Asahara said he was cautious in going from the last corner to the home straight in the preliminaries although he can go a bit faster, adding he hopes to overcome fatigue so that he can run steadily in Friday’s final. Jamaica won the other heat with the second fastest time overall of 38.31. In other track events, Japanese national record holder Mayumi Kawasaki finished 14th in the women’s 20-kilometer walk in 1 hour, 29 minutes, 43 seconds and compatriot Sachiko Konishi was 26th with 1:32:21. Russia’s Olga Kaniskina won the event in an Olympic record time of 1:26:31, followed by Norwegian Kjersti Tysse Platzer in second and Elisa Rigaudo of Italy in third.

Kyodo

13 Comments

Pukey2 at 09:09 AM JST - 22nd August

I noticed that the presenters today were gloating at the fact that the US made a big error (enjoy, boobug!) and that Japan were in for a chance of getting a medal.
Altria at 09:26 AM JST - 22nd August

Tyson Gay is having a shocker.
cesun at 09:55 AM JST - 22nd August

I really feel sorry for the US team, or really any team that bows out because of a poor baton change, but them's the breaks. Grats to the Japanese team for making it through, but those Jamaican juggernauts are going to be difficult to deny...
chibaman at 10:06 AM JST - 22nd August

The Japanese shouldn't clap in elation when other teams drop or don't pass on their batons, Nigeria and a few others made a meal of it as well, but then again Japan will take victory in any form, such is their disgustingly poor sportsmanship. Not that they're gonna win this event with the Jamaicans around, to which one commentator uttered that almighty all-justifying phrase of resignation, shoganai. No it's not shoganai, eat some more beef and get some more height and muscles. At any rate, Trinidad and co. and others will see Japan getting its hands on some copper coin at best. Get some sportsmanship Japan, you disgust me.
sappquest at 10:07 AM JST - 22nd August

Has anyone seen the link for Bolt's 200m victory on japan today website? I still can't find it 2 days after it happened.
cesun at 11:36 AM JST - 22nd August

The Japanese shouldn't clap in elation when other teams drop or don't pass on their batons

Like I said, it's unfortunate but them's the breaks. The baton change is all part of the event, if you can't pass it on quick enough, or drop it, then too bad. You should also note, Japan is not the only country in the world to celebrate the misfortune of others. Wake up...
pathat at 01:05 PM JST - 22nd August

I commend the Japanese relay team and many others for showing superior teamwork to the Americans. We have seen clearly in these Olympics that without designer drugs to give them an advantage, the American sprinters have generally come back to the pack. No more sheer dominance from the Justin Gatlins and Marion Joneses of the U.S. track team. What comes out down the road about the Jamaicans and their new-found dominance remains to be seen, though.

The Americans need to learn that teamwork and working tirelessly on the smallest of details is key to success in the relays. This was not the first time this decade American relay teams have screwed up.

Good luck to Japan in the finals. A medal is still doubtful, but at least you have a well-deserved opportunity to compete.

The Americans have 4 years to sit around and try to figure out their shortcomings.
ExPrinceska at 01:08 PM JST - 22nd August

both women and men of USA failed to transfer the baton????!?!?!?! It is very unlucky to lose this way.
PASHA_51 at 01:22 PM JST - 22nd August

Hope Japanese sprinters keep it up to the victory stand
boobug at 11:15 PM JST - 22nd August

"both women and men of USA failed to transfer the baton"

As did the Jamaican women ! Not to mention 3 other teams failed to finish in the mens race, explains how Japan got through. Really now, nothing to be proud of. Winning on the mistakes and errors of others and not your own efforts. But at this stage Japan will take anything, even a gift like this.
boobug at 11:20 PM JST - 22nd August

Oh god here we go. Japan wins the bronze and the tears, fist pumping, finger wagging, and unstoppable media frenzy is in high gear. Guess what you all will be watching on J TV for the next 72 hours !
Good_Jorb at 11:44 PM JST - 22nd August

Not to mention 3 other teams failed to finish in the mens race, explains how Japan got through. Really now, nothing to be proud of. Winning on the mistakes and errors of others and not your own efforts. But at this stage Japan will take anything, even a gift like this.

They should be proud that they could do something as simple as passing the baton.

Guess what you all will be watching on J TV for the next 72 hours !

And that is why, TV's can be turned both off and on.
TheCode at 12:22 PM JST - 23rd August

Not to mention 3 other teams failed to finish in the mens race, explains how Japan got through. Really now, nothing to be proud of. Winning on the mistakes and errors of others and not your own efforts.

I bet that you wouldn't say this if the shoe was on the other foot now, would you.

But let's face it, track and field relays are won on three things: speed, technique, and discipline. The U.S. runners may have the speed, and a bit of the technique, but are surely lacking in the discipline. According to USA Track and Field president Doug Logan, "Dropping a baton isn't bad luck it's bad execution. Responsibility for the relay debacle lies with many people and many groups, from administration to coaches to athletes.

You want to win a race without the teamwork? Enter the individual 100 m. event. The relay? To win, you gotta show some teamwork and discipline. Good job to the Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Japan for doing just that! Boo on the U.S. for not.