Better late than never... Bashny.Net

In 1912, one of the first Japanese marathoners Shijo Kanakuri within 18 days getting to Stockholm, the venue of the Summer Olympic Games. First steamship, then Trans-Siberian Railway. And during marathon of Japanese disappeared. The search came to nothing lead. More than half a century in Sweden, he was listed as missing until it became clear that Shijo throughout these years well lived at home, was involved in two consecutive Olympics, and national competitions.
Continued under the cut point is that the long road to Sweden, the absence of a familiar food Shijo, 32-degree heat and uncomfortable shoes are not allowed him to prove himself in the competition. Running 27 km iznemozhdenny athlete astray. He wandered into the farm where local farmers gave him water and put to bed. Waking up the next morning, the runner realized that could not bear the shame and without notifying anyone, left the Olympics. Later, he learned that there was nothing shameful in it was not, and only half of the 68 runners broke distatsiyu.
In 1967, at age 76, he accepted the offer of the Swedish TV people to take part in events to mark the 55th anniversary of the Olympic Games in Stockholm, and finish the marathon. He finished after 54 years, 8 months, 6 days, 5 hours and 32 minutes and 20,379 seconds after the starting shot. "It's been a long road. On the way, I got married and got six children and ten grandchildren, "- said Shijo. He lived to 92 years and entered the history of the national sport as the "father of Japanese marathon».





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