Read the full story on SportsLook - [JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] Shunsuke Izumiya Triumphs in Diamond League Debut
Hurdler Shunsuke Izumiya had a dynamic Diamond League debut in the Athletissima meet in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Friday, June 30.
The 23-year-old earned a win in the men's 110-meter hurdles (13.22 seconds), edging runner-up Jason Joseph of Switzerland by 0.01 seconds. France's Just Kwaou-Mathey finished third in 13.37 at Stade Olympique de la Pontaise.
In the Czech Republic, Izumiya placed fourth in the 62nd Ostrava Golden Spike on Tuesday, June 27. He is ranked 13th in the world in the 110-meter hurdles and is the Japanese national record-holder in the event (13.04 seconds).
"I'm honestly happy to win," Izumiya was quoted as saying by Kyodo News after the race, the sixth meet of the current Diamond League season. "Winning has given me confidence."
Izumiya made his Olympic debut at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Games in 2021, advancing to the semifinals and finishing 10th overall in his specialty event. In 2022, the Kanagawa Prefecture native placed 14th at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
He was the 2018 World Under-20 Championships bronze medalist in Tampere, Finland. In 2019, he placed third again at the Summer World University Games, aka Summer Universiade, in Naples, Italy.
A Dominant Season for Shunsuke Izumiya
Izumiya, who has won six of seven races he's participated in this year, is scheduled to compete in the 2023 World Athletics Championships (August 19-27) in Budapest.
Launched in 2010, the Diamond League is the premier series of international track and field meets each year. The circuit gives a glimpse of what to expect among top competitors at the Olympics and World Athletics Championships.
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Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and Twitter ＠ed_odeven.
