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© 2013 AFPJapan's unsponsored marathon man eyes world title
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The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.
© 2013 AFP
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Yubaru
This guy is amazing! I wish I had 1/10th of his stamina and 1% of his desire. I hope the city that he works for cuts him some slack and finds a way to "support" him too!
Elementz
No sponsor? Hopefully he will get one soon!! He certainly deserves it.
tmarie
Why does he not have a sponsor?
I wish him well. 22 races so far this year is insane!
smithinjapan
Total respect. Hope he continues to do well and inspire others to do the same.
highball7
That's called doing it for the love of the sport. Nice!
nath
That is awesome.
gogogo
Great stuff, focusing on the sport rather than the "talento" part
Michelle Klein-Hass
Ganbatte, Kawauchi-san!
TokyoGas
This is a great story and I hope he gets a medal.
timtak
I'd like to sponsor him! Perhaps he could just sell a few cm's of space on his running bib or cap.
I hope he wins. Alan Wells did not have a coach or sponsor during most of his training for Olympic gold, I read somewhere on youtube, so it is possible.
BurakuminDes
Astounding that he has won 9 marathons in a year! Equally astounding that corporate Japan hasn't yet backed the guy. Maybe he is not at home doing the promotional stuff and just isn't a natural on a stage or in front of a camera, bit rough around the edges in a world of "polished" athletes? Who knows - but as long as he does the business on the track, that's all the true sports fans care about!
Yubaru
Actually I do believe that there would be a conflict of interest because he is a government employee. If I am not mistaken for him to actually accept any corporate sponsorship he would have to quit his job as a komuin (government employee).
Hence his not having any official sponsors. There are some pretty strict rules that they have to follow.
bicultural
Love how this guy gives 120% every race. He always collapses at the finish line and has to get carried off the track.