TOUR OPENED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 44, 22 February 1937, Page 15

TOUR OPENED.

JAPANESE ATHLETES.

IMPRESSION CREATED.

CAR LAW PARK APPEARANCE

A fine impression was created by the first Japanese athletes ever to visit Xew Zealand. K. i oj-ami, jumping exponent, and K. Mnrakoso. distance runner, both of whom performed with distinction at the last Olympic (•antes in Berlin, when, at Carl&w Park on Saturday, thev commenced their Dominion tour at a 'meeting arranged by the Auckland Centre of the Xew Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. Murakoso won the two miles event comfortably, and just failed by fifths of a second only to eclipse the best New Zealand performance established by Randolph Rose, in 1927, while his companion won the invitaiton broacl jump, and finished second, after conceding handicaps, in both the high jump and hop-step-and-jump.

It was a great day for athletes in Auckland, who turned out in full force to give the visitors a rousing reception and endeavour to extend them. A crowd of about 4000 also tilled the stand and terrace, and showered applause on the Japanese as they gave of their best in their respective departments. The weather wa< ideal, and the track

was comlncive to fast times. The crowd thrilled ti» the high class performances of the Japanese stars and local competitors, w'.to an indication as to their form for the Auckland cl ampionships to be decided at Hamilton next Saturday.

Loosening Up. The Japanese made an early appearance on the track, and kept the crowd interested in between events as tliev performed various exercises for the purpose of loosening up. The first thrill of the day came when Tog&mi, competing in " the long jump, -cleared 23ft BJin, to win the event and receive a well-merited round of applause. His effort, a wonderfull one considering that he had been in New Zealand less than a week, fell short of the New Zealand record established by J. P. Metcalfe, of New South Wale*, bv 2iin onlv.

Then came Murakoso to reel off the two miles, his only engagement of the day, in 9.20 3>d, only 2-5s outside of the Dominion record established in 1927 by Randolph Rose, at Nelson, and had he had someone to push him over the last few laps he would certainly have set new figures for the distance. In this event the visitor had as his co-markere on scratch J. W. Savidan and N. F. Cooper, and the limit men were on 105 yards. Savidan had the inside running, and Murakoso was in the middle. Twenty yards only had been covered, however, "when the Japanese commenced to set the pace for the back-markers. At the mile, which Murakoso was clocked as covering in 4.30, he was only 30 yards behind the pacemakers, who numbered three, with A. Dare (Mtyds) paving the way. Going out for the sixth lap Murakoso took the lead, and he was well clear of the field at the bell. He now speeded, up, and, applauded from all points of the ground, went on to finish with a fine burst to get the decision by 50 yards' from Dare. Next came B. H. Birtwistle (90yds), closely challenged by J. I. B. Neil (75vds). Savidan completed the course a few yards further, back in sixth place,, but Cooper had withdrawn.the JSlce. at the end of the sixth lap?*- A* * ■

A Firm Favourite. Togami, who, in contrast to his more serious companion, was generally smiling broadly, established himself as a firm favourite with the crowd, particularly when he undertook to compete in the high jump in which he was not scheduled to appear. Togami in this event, as in the long jump, worked out his run and takeoff before jumping, and he cleared sft 9£in. He endeavoured unsuccessfully to clear 6ft and had to be content to take second place to Cruickshank.

The Japanese gave another wonderful performance in the hop, step and jump, but after a strenuous day's work, he could not equal the best New Zealand effort, which stands to the credit of J. P. Metcalfe, of New South Wales, at 50ft lin. In his first effort the Japanese covered 46ft lOJin, but he bettered this with his second, although it proved to be no jump. The tape was rjin out, however, and it was announced that the distance ho had done was 48ft lOin. He did not complete his third and final jump, and in view of the fact that he was conceding substantial handicaps, his first jump was only good enough to win him second place.

At the conclusion of the meeting representatives of the Otahuhu Club presented the Japanese visitors with the club's badge as a token of the club's appreciatlon their appearance at its meeting on Thursday evening last.

Results were as follows:—

i J® r 4 8 Junior.—T. H. Morrison (Byds) Time, <aCr) 2 ' H ' H " Smlth »• 1 l i K) », Ya / r d " Senior.—T. C. Windsor (12yds) 3' Tlme lte ( 7 ><ls) 2. V. T. Bowie <9yds) 1 £ ara " °P en - — L T. Johnston (Byds) i«^bi ,^ en ? n J ( ? 2jrdß > * nd w - »• BackT tJ?^ yd,) .dead-heat, 2. Time 1.58 2-8. Shot Handicap.—P. R. Plk« lm \ ' * E » L Pranei s (3ft) 2, J. TannaMll (scr) 3. Distance 38ft BJin. , Mile Junior. —E. . S. Leigbton (45yds) 1. Time 4.44 4-5. Broad Jnmp.—K. Togami, Japan (scr) 1, *• ®- ■ Prendergast (3ft) 2, P. C. Splttal (3ft 6ln) 3. Distances: 23ft Bln, 23ft Tim.

100 Tarda Ladles.—Miss D. Lumley (scr) 1, Miss B. Lumley (4yd») 2. Miss M. Grfnrod (scr) 3. „ One Mile Walk.—E. J. Laird (60s) 1, G. Hawktslqr (48s) 2. R. 8. Ctmenm (scr) 8. Time 8.14 4-5.

220 Yards Open Hurdle*.—H. A. Parsons (owe 6yd») 1, B. F, Coleman (owe Syd«) 2. p. T. Bowie (owe 16/ da) 8. Time 29 l-ss. Junior Broad Jninp.—N. w. Thom (Oln) 1. B. T. Bobertaon («er) 2, C. Fonnell (Ift 6in) a. Distance 19ft 91n.

Putting the Shot, Women.—Miss J. Stone (»in) 1. Miss B. Patterson (scr) 2, Mrs. M. Amoretti (3ft Bin) 3. Distance. 24ft Bjin. 230 Yards Open.—W. S. Bainbridge (scrl 1. M. Hogan (20yds) 2, J. R. Harrison (16yds) 3. Time, 235. Two Miles Open —K. Murakoso, Japan (scr) 1. A. H. Dare (90yds) 2. B. H. Birtwistle (09yds) 3. Time, 9.20 3-3. 440 Yards Junior.—W. R. Mansiil (10 yds) 1 W. By all (28yds) 2. R. A. Wilson (25yds) 3. Time. 525. Throwing Javelin. —R. L. Francis (Soft) 1. B. Halsev (28ft) 2. K- D. Gillespie (7ft 6in) 3. Distance, 190 ft 2in. One Mile Open.—J. Matthews (130 yds) 1, J. C. R. Howells (130 yds) 2, W. A. Brown (120 yds) 3. Time, 4.19. 80 Yards Hurdles, Women.—Miss BMunro (scr) 1, Miss B. Patterson (4yds) 2, Miss A. J. Scouller and Miss J. Stone 3. Time, 11 4-ss. Putting the Shot, Junior.—B. T. Robertsou (scr) 1, W. R- Mansiil (scr) 2, L. White (scr) 3. Distance, 35ft 91n. Women's 330 Yards ■ Relay (110 yds, 55yds, 55yds. 110yds).—Kiwi Club 1, Otahuhu 2, Auckland 8. Time, 38 2-sa.

Hop, Step and Jump, Open.——J. B. Prendergast <3ft 6in) 1. K. Togami (scr) 2. Distance*: 47ft llln, 46ft lOiln. 440 yds Open.—M. Hogan (Byto) 1> H.. D Ball (12yds) 2, A. J. Bayers (scr) 3. Time, 49 2-ss. Broad Jump, Women. —Miss M. Qrindrod (lft Sin) 1, Miss D. Mnllins (Ift «ln> 2, Min S. Monro (ser) 3. Distance, 10ft IJln.

High Jump.—J. Cmickshank 1, K. Togami 2, N. Thom 3. Heights : sft 10}i u . oft DJin.