ATHLETICS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 111, 20 February 1937, Page 2

ATHLETICS.

KOHEI MURAKOSO. RESEMBLANCE TO SAVIDAN. Both in his running action and in appearance Kohei Murakoso, one of the two Japanese athletes now’ on their way to New Zealand, is described as resembling New Zealand’s Billy Savidan. Murakoso has a long raking stride similar to Savidan’s and also a shock of long dark hair, which is another distinguishing feature of Savidan. Neither is tall and each has a clean-cut face. In addition there is some similarity in their performances. At the Olympic Games at Los Angeles in 1932 Savidan was fourth in the 5000 and 10,000 metres, a performance which Murakoso equalled at last year’s Games at Berlin.

Murakoso is one of the great runners of the East and is in world record class. The famous New Zealander Jack Lovelock holds a high opinion of him. He expressed the view that Murakoso was the fastest three and six-miler at Berlin and was only beaten by the experience and team running of the Finnish reps. He was a great favourite with the crowds and now that he has had international experience Lovelock thinks he has a great future. Of a quiet disposition but very intelligent, Murakoso should prove popular in New Zealand. He has announced himself as “Japan’s sports ambassador,” and according to cable advice is bringing with him a number of films of Japan for exhibition at social functions. Murakoso and his fellow-countryman, Togami, it has been decided, are to arrive at Auckland on February 15 and open their tour there five days later.