Juichi Nagatani

Before Juichi Nagatani joined the South Manchurian Railway he attended Meiji University. During this time, he participated in the annual Hakone Ekiden long-distance relay three times (1924-26), contributing to Meiji University’s two consecutive victories (1924-25). In 1925, he represented Japan in the 7th Far Eastern Games. At home, he also had his best year, winning national titles in both the 5,000 and 10,000 metres. Moreover, he bettered the Japanese record in the 10K twice and once in the 5K. Three years later, he repeated the double at the Japanese Championships.

After graduating from university, Nagatani took part in the 10,000 and marathon at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. Because he was considered less strong in the marathon, he was instructed to run as a pacemaker for the Japanese medal candidates Kanematsu Yamada and Seiichiro Tsuda. Nagatani later joined the consumers’ union of the South Manchurian Railway, one of the biggest in pre-war Japan.

Personal Bests: 10000 – 32:11.8 (1925); Mar – unknown.