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サムエル・ワンジル
Identity: Marathon Runner
Hometown: Nyahururu, Kenya
In Japan: 7 years
Strolling through Tenjin wearing a polo shirt, jeans and a cap, no one would know that this young man is one of the fastest running humans – ever. But he is, and this month we are proud to introduce 21-year-old Kenyan native, four-year Fukuoka resident, and world-record holder for the half marathon, Samuel Wanjiru (58:33). Samuel is currently training in Kenya for the Beijing Olympics in which he will run in the full marathon. Despite having only run a handful of full marathons (in Dec. 2007 he won the Fukuoka Marathon and in this April he placed 2nd in the Flora London Marathon), he’s believed to have a good chance to take a medal this August. After the games he hopes to return to Fukuoka to continue his training. He says he loves the people, the food, and the climate here. Let’s all wish him great success at the Olympics!
Identity: Marathon Runner
Hometown: Nyahururu, Kenya
In Japan: 7 years
Strolling through Tenjin wearing a polo shirt, jeans and a cap, no one would know that this young man is one of the fastest running humans – ever. But he is, and this month we are proud to introduce 21-year-old Kenyan native, four-year Fukuoka resident, and world-record holder for the half marathon, Samuel Wanjiru (58:33). Samuel is currently training in Kenya for the Beijing Olympics in which he will run in the full marathon. Despite having only run a handful of full marathons (in Dec. 2007 he won the Fukuoka Marathon and in this April he placed 2nd in the Flora London Marathon), he’s believed to have a good chance to take a medal this August. After the games he hopes to return to Fukuoka to continue his training. He says he loves the people, the food, and the climate here. Let’s all wish him great success at the Olympics!
マラソン走者
ケニヤ キクユ族
７年間
ポロシャツとジーンズ姿で颯爽と闊歩するサムエルを、誰が世界記録保持者のランナーだと気づくことができるだろうか。偶然にすれ違い、挨拶を交わしたことから知った彼の経歴とストーリーに、声を上げてしまうほど驚くのは、きっとひとりだけではないはず。
福岡に住んで４年になる彼は、1986年11月生まれの21歳。14歳で陸上をはじめ、スカウトされて仙台育英学園高等学校へ入学で初来日した。ちょうど全国高校駅伝での仙台育英の黄金時代に貢献したひとりだ。その後、2007年にオランダのハーフマラソン大会で58分33秒の世界新記録を樹立し、2007年にはフルマラソン初参加となった福岡国際マラソン大会では、初マラソン初優勝大会新の成績を残すなど、活躍著しい期待の選手だ。身長164センチの小柄な体からは想像もつかない程、エネルギッシュで持続性の高い走りで、応援する人々を魅了するサムエルは、８月の北京オリンピックにケニヤ代表として参加予定だ。メダル獲得を視野に入れて練習に励む彼は、オリンピック終了後は、また福岡に戻ってきて、大好きな人たちや食べ物でリラックスして過ごしたいのだそう。こんなに凄いランナーが福岡に住んでいることも驚くべきことだが、まずはサムエルのオリンピックでの活躍を応援しようではないか！
Identity: Marathon Runner
Hometown: Nyahururu, Kenya
In Japan: 7 years
Strolling through Tenjin wearing a polo shirt, jeans and a cap, no one would know that this young man is one of the fastest running humans – ever. But he is, and this month we are proud to introduce 21-year-old Kenyan native, four-year Fukuoka resident, and world-record holder for the half marathon, Samuel Wanjiru (58:33). Samuel is currently training in Kenya for the Beijing Olympics in which he will run in the full marathon. Despite having only run a handful of full marathons (in Dec. 2007 he won the Fukuoka Marathon and in this April he placed 2nd in the Flora London Marathon), he’s believed to have a good chance to take a medal this August. After the games he hopes to return to Fukuoka to continue his training. He says he loves the people, the food, and the climate here. Let’s all wish him great success at the Olympics!
