Daichi Sawano Makes World Team

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/sports/20050713TDY24004.htm

Last 8 named for Helsinki
Ken Marantz Daily Yomiuri Sportswriter

More than a month later than expected, sprinter Shingo Suetsugu and pole vaulter Daichi Sawano made Japan's team to the world athletics championships.

Suetsugu and Sawano were among eight athletes added in the final selection to the squad, announced Tuesday in Tokyo by the Japan Association of Athletic Federations (JAAF).

A total of 56 athletes--34 men and 22 women--will sport Japan's colors at the Aug. 6-14 world championships in Helsinki.

"We pretty much got the team we expected," said JAAF senior managing director Koji Sakurai.

That Suetsugu and Sawano almost didn't make it was beyond expectations. The two had to earn their places after failing to win automatic selection at the Japan national championships in June.

Suetsugu dropped out due to a knee injury and Sawano failed to clear a height. Given until last Sunday to prove their worthiness, both passed with flying colors.

Sawano turned in three strong performances in Europe, capped with a second-place finish at the prestigious Golden Gala in Rome on July 8.

"It was a big boost to my confidence to finish third against top athletes in a competition that was like a [world championships] final," said Sawano, who earlier this year rewrote his Japan record with a vault of 5.83 meters.