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Olympic Marathoner Yamamoto Promises Kyoto Mayor to Get to "The Next Level"

http://mainichi.jp/area/kyoto/news/20120331ddlk26050637000c.html

translated by Brett Larner

London Olympics men's marathon team member Ryo Yamamoto (27, Team Sagawa Express) went to Kyoto City Hall Mar. 30, promising Mayor Daisaku Kadokawa to run a courageous race at the Olympics.  Yamamoto is registered with the Kyoto Track & Field Association.  At the Mar. 4 Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon he was the top Japanese finisher, 4th overall in a strong 2:08:44.

Having his audience with Mayor Kadokawa in Kyoto City Hall's drawing room, Yamamoto told him, "In my training over the four months that are left until the main event I want to get myself to the next level.  I want to be running in the lead pack and go one place beyond what I think I can do.  There are a lot of sharp curves, so I think it's going to be a tough course and I plan to go spend time on it and study it carefully."

Mayor Kadokawa smiled as he told Yamamoto, "The way you ran down the leaders at the Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon was very impressive.  All the citizens of Kyoto support you with all their hearts."  Following his audience with Mayor Kadokawa, Yamamoto paid a visit to Governor Keiji Yamada.
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