Marathon: Noguchi to run in Marugame half-marathon
January 16, 2006Athens Olympic champion Mizuki Noguchi will take part in next month's Marugame half-marathon, organizers said Monday. Noguchi, who reached a new sponsorship deal with medical technology manufacturer Sysmex in December, will be among 53 invitees running in the race that starts and ends at Marugame municipal stadium in Kagawa Prefecture on Feb. 5.
Sumo: Hokutoriki takes sole lead at New Year sumo
January 16, 2006Surprise package Hokutoriki beat Aminishiki to emerge as the surprise sole leader with a ninth win while grand champion Asashoryu continued to circle like a shark at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday. Record-chasing Asashoryu shot down Russian maegashira Hakurozan to remain one win behind Hokutoriki at 8-1 but ozeki Tochiazuma lost his first bout of the 15-day meet after an upset defeat to Miyabiyama.