Japan Triathlon Union (JTU)
Contact Information
Address
Dainieral Building, 1-3-80, Shibuya
Shibuya-ku
Tokyo
150-0002
Japan
President
Mr. Mitsuhide Iwaki
Secretary General
Mr. Masao Nakayama
Website
http://www.jtu.or.jp/
Phone
+81 354695401
Fax
+81 354695403
Latest News
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ITU World Paratriathlon Yokohama
24 competitors lined up in the ITU World Paratriathlon Yokohama this morning in breezy but fine conditions, the rain of yesterday’s elite racing gone making for a more comfortable day for athletes and spectators. The field of paratriathletes were mainly from Japan but international interest was provided by Michael Johnston (USA) and Marcelo Collett (BRA) who renewed their rivalry from the San Diego event two weeks ago in the TRI-5 category. There were also some well known stars; including 3 time Paralympian Mami Sato. Sato has represented Japan at the last 3 Paralympics Games and was 6th in the Long Jump in Beijing in 2008. The national record holder for long jump spoke of her nervousness before her third triathlon. “I am a little bit nervous; I am not so good at everything I think! Triathlon is fantastic sport for me with Paralympics athletes together it is such a good atmosphere. I have some friends watching me race too.” She need not have worried though, the popular Sato received great applause all around the course and finished to a waiting gaggle of media, keen on an interview with the sport’s latest recruit. “It was so hard of course, but I did enjoy it. Swimming I was nervous because today some paratriathletes joined and made it a high speed swim. But I did my best today. “The support is so good; people supported me and made today magic on the course. “I have been a long jumper for ten years, going to Paralympics games but maybe triathlon now for Rio 2016. Because it is a good sport for me, it is a real sport that showcases inclusion, everyone can join, I like this sport and it is good for the Paralympics movement.” Collett again had the better of Johnston in the TRI-5 category, the Brazilian also has his eyes on Rio 2016 and enjoyed his Yokohama experience. “The race I like very much, it was very good contest and strong competition here in Japan, I live it very much and want to thank all the people of Japan. I want to go to Rio, I am training very hard for Rio, this is my goal and I hope I can achieve that dream.” Also taking part was Masazumi Soejima in the TRI-1 men’s category. Soejima has competed at two Paralympics Games in 2004 and 2008, winning a bronze medal at the Athens Games in the wheel chair relay. Daisuke Ejima competed in the men’s TRI-3 category. He too is a veteran of the Paralympics, having competed in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Games, winning a silver medal in the medley relay at the Athens Paralympics. Spectators were out in numbers to support the Paratriathletes and then the age group athletes, 2,000 of whom took part in the sold out age group racing throughout the morning at Yokohama, racing in and around the beautiful Yamashita Park. {/exp:tagstripper:tagsToSave}
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JTU and Yokohama receive event award
The Japan Triathlon Union (JTU) and City of Yokohama recently obtained a certificate of “ISO20121” for its excellent organization and event sustainability management for the 2012 ITU World Triathlon Series Yokohama. The award is one of high prestige, as it was given to the 2012 London Olympics. It is the first time ever an event in Japan has received this certificate. This international standard system is designed to support the event industry with the standardized management system for environmental, economic and social impacts that the event concerned may induce, and addresses improved sustainability throughout the event period. As a recipient of ISO20121, the World Triathlon Series Yokohama is further expected to transmit its innovative spirit of sport-event management to the world and raise its branding value across the globe. JTU and Yokohama, under the leadership of Mayor Fumiko Hayashi, received the award for the following reasons: Efforts for environment: Cleaning up the sea bottom at Port of Yokohama where the swim course was laid out. The local organizing committee also implemented activities including the “Green Triathlon” that promotes environmental conservation through with environmentally-friendly triathlon events. Efforts for society: Organization of the event by developing understanding of WTS races amongst residents and corporations, as well as soliciting support from many citizens, institutions and volunteers in the area. Race organizers developed a crisis management system to ensure the safety of athletes and spectators was the top priority. Efforts for economy: The race contributed to the revitalization of the economy in the city due to the large number of spectators and participants, which yielded support from a great number of sponsors. With files from the Japan Triathlon Union. {/exp:tagstripper:tagsToSave}
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Triathlon returns to Japan's Sendai Bay
Triathlon has successfully returned to one of the most affected areas of the earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan, with the NTT Triathlon Japan Cup/Miyagi International Triathlon Sendai Bay held in Shichigahama. The event came back on the triathlon calendar only 15 months after the tragic event. Last year's edition, which was supposed to also combine the 2011 Sendai Bay ITU Triathlon Asian Cup, was forced to be cancelled due to the venue condition. This year, a total of 28 men and nine women participated in elite sprint contests, joined by 240 enthusiastic age-group triathletes and 21 teams competing in a relay. IOC Member and ITU President Marisol Casado said: "Following the devastation witnessed in Japan’s triathlon mecca in 2011, it is incredible that triathlon now presents the first international sporting event in the affected area. After visiting Shichigahama last year, I was shocked and concerned for our triathlon family in Japan, but the resilience and speed of recovery of the Japanese people sets an example to us all. "It has always been my belief that sport develops values such as inspiration, friends and humanity which are greatly important in times of difficulty. This Triathlon Recovery Festival not only shows the strong support for recovery in the area, but also offers the perfect opportunity for triathletes and locals to become involved and enjoy themselves." The men's race started at 11am under chilly drizzly rain and Hirokatsu Tayama showed his Olympic preparations were on track with a dominating win. When Tayama exited the water, he already enjoyed a 25-second lead. While a group of eight came together and formed a chase pack, Tayama outclassed those competitors and had a healthy 36-second lead at the bike finish. The 30-year-old Tayama won in 57 minutes 42 seconds. Tayama will join the elusive club of three-time consecutive Olympians when he competes in London this August, and said he would take the experience with him. Hirokatsu Tayama said: ”I was encouraged by people who revived the triathlon event while recovering themselves from the devastating earthquake and tsunami. I would like to thank those who always give us such a stage where athletes can perform and shine. Their efforts and supports are invaluable. I will compete the Olympic Games in London definitely with hope and expectation of those people in Shichigahama.” In the women's field, 25-year old Hideko Kikuchi outshone the rest and won with a time of 1:05:10. Story and images courtesy of Masa Takaya {/exp:tagstripper:tagsToSave}
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Successful ITU Level 2 Competitive Coaching course in Chiba, Japan
A new generation of coaches in Asia have moved on to the next stage of development, with 22 coaching candidates from five different countries taking part in the five-day ITU Level 2 Competitive Coaching Course in Chiba, Japan. The participants came from Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau and Chinese Taipei and most are current national team coaches; coaching elite, U23, and junior athletes. The Level 2 competitive coaches’ education course is an applied course that integrates sport sciences with triathlon specific preparation, planning and evaluation of the competitive Junior and U23 athletes. It provided these national team coaches with a great opportunity to learn about training theories, as well as new skills and drills. ATSC Sport Development Co-ordinator Ki Woo Kyung said that the three ITU facilitators and coaches, Luc Morin from Canada, Sergio Santos from Portugal, and Miguel Jordan from Portugal, helped encourage teamwork in the group. “The three experts have conducted each session very professionally by giving group works to make Asian coaches work together as a team. Every participant looks happy to enjoy the every session in cooperative mood," he said. Yamane Hedeki, Japanese National Team Head Coach, expressed his thanks. “I would like to thank ITU and ASTC for providing this wonderful opportunities to learn about new coaching approaches and think about what we have been coaching our athletes.” Steven Chan, Singapore Coaching Committee Advisor, said it was an important step in further improving Asia's results on the world stage. "This is a great course and it was a great honour to be part of the course with some of the best coaches in Asia. We also gained a lot of insight to how we can improve our training plans for our athletes from the very experienced presenters who are coaching the top triathlon team in the world. I feel that such courses in Asia are very important to bring up the standard of coaches here and hopefully with that, it can also bring up the standard of our athletes." According to Libby Burrell, Director of ITU Development, the ongoing education of coaches is the cornerstone of development on all levels. The ITU coach education courses, with the accent on the applied coaching, has resulted in the steady improvement of athlete performances around the globe. For this reason coach education will always play a key role in the work being done by the ITU Development Department. “We are very lucky to have so many expert coaches willing to work with our department to share their knowledge and experience and that is what makes the work we do so successful," Burrell said. For more on ITU development, please click here. {/exp:tagstripper:tagsToSave}
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Ide and Hosoda crowned 2011 Japanese national champions in Tokyo
Juri Ide and Yuichi Hosoda are the new Japanese champions after the 17th Japanese national triathlon titles in Tokyo Bay's Odaiba last Sunday. In the women's race, Ide - who won the 2011 Huatulco ITU World Cup two weeks ago - successfully used a bike breakaway to run away with gold, just beating out Ai Ueda who won silver. 2010 champion Tomoko Sakimoto came in third. On a warm 29 degree day, it was Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Champion Yuka Sato who led the swim and climbed out of the water first. Just behind, Ide, Sakimoto and four others immediately came together on bike and the group of seven created a solid lead of 52 seconds over the chase pack that was led by Ai Ueda, the best top Japanese woman in the final 2011 Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series rankings. But Ide, who struggled last year due to injury, sped up in the first lap of the four lap run and left the rest in her dust. Ueda attempted to catch the leader from the chase pack with the best run split of the day, 35 minutes and 42 seconds, but finished 22 seconds short. Ide said her performance helped to overcome what had been a disappointing year. "I enjoyed the race, feeling how happy I was while running," Ide said. "All our team members were somewhat not able to perform well this year, but I always believed everything can go on positive side once a member finds a breakthrough. "Today's victory is obviously not the end," Ide added. "My dream is to step on the top of the podium in the Olympic Games." In men's showdown, Japan's ace and 2011 Asian champion Hosoda claimed his first career national title, edging out the runner-up Ryosuke Yamamoto by 10 seconds. Kohei Shimomura clinched bronze, in a big field of 66. Hosoda was thrilled, and said he hoped that the rivalry between his teammate Yamamoto would help propel both to next year's Olympic Games. "Such a great feeling, I am so excited. I just focused on pushing myself as much as possible till the end," Hosoda said. "He (Yamamoto) is a good rival but also a teammate, we competed in the world championship series together. I would like to work hard together and learn from him, and enhance our performances toward the London 2012." Odaiba is a renowned triathlon venue in the strong history of triathlon in Japan. With an iconic backdrop of the Rainbow Bridge, the commercial bay area attracts local visitors and tourists throughout the year. The 2000 Tokyo ITU World Cup and the 2005 Tokyo ITU Asian Cup was hosted at the same venue, and last weekend thousands of fans turned out along the course to cheer on the athletes, under a beautiful blue sky. {/exp:tagstripper:tagsToSave}