Fugita, the Best Marathoner of Japan Is to Run in the Dong-a International Marathoner

Fujita Assusi, the marathoner who holds the Asian record in the Men`s Marathon (2 hours, 6 minutes and 51seconds) and the first winner of the Japan Marathon, will participate in the 2002 Dong-a Seoul International Marathon in Seoul on March 17th, expecting for the success of 2002 World Cup.

After joining the 46th Japan Road Relay Marathon held in Maebashi city, Gunma prefecture on the 1st of January, he had a press interview and announced officially: "I decided to participate in the Dong-a Seoul International Marathon which will be held to wish for the successful World Cup."

Though Japanese marathoners had participated in the Korean Marathon several times before, this is the first time that a top ranking marathoner of Japan takes part in.

Fujita remarked, "I decided to join the Dong-a International Marathon. Because it`s very meaningful for me as a representative runner of Japan, Co-host of World Cup, to participate in the Marathon which has the highest authority in Korea."

Until now, top ranking marathoners of Korea have participated in the Japan Marathon: Cho Jae-Hyung (‘ 74, Kyoto Marathon), Hwang Young-Jo (‘ 92, Beppu-Oita Marathon) and Lee Bong-Ju (2000, Tokyo Marathon). And each of them set a new record of Korea in the races.

chong21@donga.com