TOKYO (Aug. 4) -- Retired track superstar Edwin Moses, winner of two Olympic gold medals in the 400-meter hurdles, and who once won 122 straight races, was the guest of honor at the Foreign Sportswriters Association of Japan meeting on Friday, August 3.

Moses, who is currently chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy, talked about his role traveling the world to promote sports as a tool for unity, his thoughts on the upcoming IAAF World Athletics Championships in Osaka, and his place in athletics history.

"For me between ages 16 and 20, everything changed in my life, things that I never would've imagined &emdash; that I would be an Olympic champion, going to a college (that) was academic, it had no track, no athletic program to speak of," Moses said.

Moses took gold at both the 1976 Montreal Games and 1984 Los Angeles Games. In 1983, the Dayton, Ohio, native set a world record of 47.02, a mark which stood for nine years.

A qualified physicist, who graduated from Morehouse College, Moses revolutionized his event by using just 13 steps between hurdles instead of the traditional 14. This helped him achieve the incredible streak, which saw him go unbeaten for nearly 10 years.

Moses noted that he always relied on his mother's wisdom to "get out fast and run like hell" during his stellar career.

To contact the FSAJ, please e-mail: fsaj@fsaj.com

TOKYO (March 27) -- Jim Armstrong of The Associated Press, Jack Gallagher and James Mulligan of The Japan Times, and Rob Smaal of the IHT/Asahi were winners of the third annual Foreign Sportswriters Association of Japan Media Awards on Monday night.

Armstrong was honored as Best Wire Reporter for the third straight year, while Gallagher was named Best Columnist, Mulligan honored for Best Coverage - Major Event, and Smaal voted the Best Writer for their work in 2006.

The Daily Yomiuri was selected as the Best Section, and The Japan Times the Best Online Site, in a ceremony held at Lawry's The Prime Rib in Akasaka. Best-selling author Robert Whiting handed out the honors for the third straight year.

Armstrong had an especially busy year, covering the Turin Winter Olympics, FIFA World Cup and FIBA World Championship.

Mulligan provided comprehensive game, feature and scene-setting coverage of the World Cup in Germany.

Smaal chronicled the improbable rise of manager Trey Hillman and the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters to Japan Series champions.

Gallagher wrote columns on Shizuka Arakawa, Tokyo's 2016 Olympic bid, Michelle Wie and Barry Bonds.

Voting for the FSAJ Media Awards was done by qualified members of the group in January. The winners in the five categories (Best Columnist, Best Writer, Best Wire Reporter, Best Section, Best Online Site) were announced for the first time at the dinner.

TOKYO (Feb. 1) -- Shizuka Arakawa, the Turin Olympics figure skating gold medalist and winner of the FSAJ Award as the top Japanese sports figure in Japan in 2006, was on hand to accept her trophy in person at the Foreign Sportswriters Association of Japan meeting on Thursday, March 1.

"Thank you very much for this wonderful award and thank you very much for inviting me tonight," Arakawa said. "I was able to make a great achievement at the Turin Olympics because of the great support of people and that was thanks to all of your coverage that you have done for me."

Arakawa, who became the first Japanese to win the gold in figure skating with her elegant performance last February in Italy, was also crowned world champion in 2004. Since her stunning victory last year, she has performed in ice shows and been a television commentator and frequent guest on a variety of shows.

The Tokyo native, who was raised in Sendai, recounted her rise to the top of this glamorous and fiercely competitive sport, discussed the upcoming World Figure Skating Championships in Japan, and talked about her plans for the future.

"I hope I can tell and show the charms of skating to as many people as possible in the future," Arakawa said.

TOKYO (Jan. 30) -- Trey Hillman, manager of the Japan Series champion Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters and winner of the FSAJ Award as the top foreign sports figure in Japan in 2006, was be on hand to accept his trophy in person at the Foreign Sportswriters Association of Japan meeting on Monday, Jan. 29.

Hillman, who piloted Nippon Ham to the franchise's first victory in the Nippon Series in 44 years, also led the Fighters to the Asia Series title, and interviewed for several managerial jobs in the major leagues during the offseason.

"It was a great achievement for the Fighters, and when you are in the position I am in and something happens, you get the residual benefits," Hillman said. "This is one of them, and I am happy to accept this award, but only with the understanding that there are so many pieces that are equal to and in some cases more important to this organization."

The Texas native who is now in his fifth season as skipper of the Nippon Ham, answered questions about last season's championship run, his team's prospects for 2007, and his aspirations to one day manage a big league club.

TOKYO (Jan. 18) -- Figure skater Shizuka Arakawa, the women's gold medalist at the 2006 Turin Olympics, and Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters manager Trey Hillman have been selected as the top Japanese and foreign sports figures for 2006 in voting by the Foreign Sportswriters Association of Japan.

Arakawa, the 2004 world champion, took first place in balloting by members of the FSAJ in the Japanese category, outpolling World Baseball Classic MVP Daisuke Matsuzaka, who finished second, and soccer player Marcus Tulio Tanaka, who came in third, for the honor.

Hillman, who became just the second foreign-born manager ever to win the Japan Series, led the Fighters to the franchise's first championship in 44 years last season and also piloted the club to victory in the Asia Series.

He claimed the award in the foreign category over former Urawa Reds manager Guido Buchwald, who placed second, and sumo star Asashoryu, who was third.

 

Urawa Reds Manager Guido Buchwald

headlines May FSAJ Meeting

 

TOKYO (May 30) -- Guido Buchwald, manager of J.League power Urawa Reds and a former German star defender, was the guest of honor at the Foreign Sportswriters Association of Japan meeting on Monday, May 29.

Buchwald, who won the 1990 World Cup with Germany and was one of the top players in the Europe for many years, set the scene for next month's World Cup in his native country, where he has been appointed an ambassador for his home city of Stuttgart by the Organizing Committee.

He discussed Japan's chances, and also those of Germany, managed by his friend and former teammate, Jurgen Klinsmann.

Buchwald talked about his team's prospects in the J.League this season, and offered his thoughts on who should be Japan's next national team coach after Zico.

The 45-year-old Buchwald, who also played in the 1994 World Cup, was joined at the FSAJ meeting by his top coach with the Reds, Gert Engels.

Having begun his pro career in 1983 with VfB Stuttgart, Buchwald played 325 games for the club in the Bundesliga, scoring 28 goals and winning two league titles. He is perhaps best remembered for neutralizing Argentine superstar Diego Maradona in the final of the 1990 World Cup.

Buchwald played four seasons (1994-97) for the Reds before returning to Germany to end his career with Karslruhe, where he then took on his first managerial post.

TOKYO (April 11) -- Joe Bryant, head coach of the Tokyo Apache of the bj-league and father of NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, was the guest of honor at the Foreign Sportswriters Association of Japan meeting on Monday, April 24.

The 51-year-old Bryant, who suited up for the Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers and Houston Rockets during his eight seasons in the NBA, talked about his team's performance during the bj-league's inaugural season, and its prospects for the playoffs, as well as what it was like playing with Hall of Famer Julius Erving, and having a son who is one of the top players in the NBA.

Bryant, who played in Italy and France for nine years after his NBA days, is also the head coach of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks. He spoke at length about his experiences in basketball throughout the world and gave his thoughts on this summer's world championships in Japan.

The former star at LaSalle University in Philadelphia also spoke about the state of play in the NBA and compared it to his days in the league. He said his former coach Gene Shue had been the "greatest influence" on him as a basketball player.

Bryant was firm when asked who the greatest basketball player of alltime is: "Wilt Chamberlain was the greatest ever. There is no question about that. I can still remember meeting him in Philadelphia when I was just eight or nine years old. That was a real thrill for me."

TOKYO (March 6) -- Jim Armstrong of The Associated Press, Wayne Graczyk of The Japan Times and Andrew Mitchell of the IHT/Asahi were winners of the second annual Foreign Sportswriters Association of Japan Media Awards on Monday night.

Armstrong was honored as Best Wire Reporter for the second straight year, while Graczyk was named Best Columnist and Mitchell tabbed the Best Writer for their work in 2005.

Longtime columnist and television announcer Dave Wiggins was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the FSAJ, while The Daily Yomiuri was selected as the Best Section in a ceremony held at Lawry's The Prime Rib in Akasaka.

Armstrong's coverage of both international and domestic sports events was featured prominently in the local press last year. He covered the march of Bobby Valentine's Chiba Lotte Marines to the Japan Series championship last season.

Mitchell wrote several pieces on the Japan national team in its buildup to the World Cup and on the J. League throughout the 2005 campaign.

Graczyk, now in his 31st year as a baseball columnist, documented the organization of the World Baseball Classic along with his regular commentary on Japanese baseball.

Wiggins, who writes a weekly column in the IHT/Asashi, in addition to broadcasting sumo on NHK, has covered the Japan sports scene for more than 20 years after a successful career as a TV sports reporter in the United States.

Voting for the FSAJ Media Awards was done by qualified members of the group in January. The winners in the four categories (Best Columnist, Best Writer, Best Wire Reporter, Best Section) were announced for the first time at the dinner.

TOKYO (Feb. 2) -- Mao Asada, Japan's No. 1 figure skater, accepted her trophy as the top Japanese athlete for 2005 in person at the Foreign Sportswriters Association of Japan meeting on Monday night.

Asada, who attended the dinner meeting with her mother Kyoko, was greeted enthusiastically by a record FSAJ crowd of 30 media types at Lawry's The Prime Rib in Akasaka.

"Hello. My name is Mao Asada. I am very happy to be here today," she told a captive audience in in English as the evening began.

The 15-year-old Nagoya native, who is ineligible to skate in the 2006 Winter Olympics next month due to age restrictions, spoke about how she got her start in skating, her plans to perform a quadruple at the upcoming world junior championships in Slovenia, and how her fame has made it difficult for her to go out in public.

Asada, who is coming off an incredible year on the ice, was the world junior champion in March, the winner of the Grand Prix event in Paris in November, and the Grand Prix Final in Tokyo in December.

She capped off 2005 by becoming the first female to ever perform two triple axels in competition, when she achieved the feat at Japan's national championships on Christmas Day in Tokyo.

TOKYO (Dec. 22) -- Figure skater Mao Asada, the Grand Prix Final and world junior champion this year, and Chiba Lotte Marines manager Bobby Valentine have been selected as the top Japanese and foreign sports figures for 2005 in voting by the Foreign Sportswriters Association of Japan.

Asada, who won the Grand Prix event in Paris last month, took first place in balloting by members of the FSAJ in the Japanese category, outpolling golfer Ai Miyazato, who finished second, and gymnast Hiroyuki Tomita, who came in third, for the honor.

Valentine, who became the first foreign-born manager ever to win the Japan Series, led the Marines to their first championship in 31 years this season and also piloted the club to victory in the inaugural Asia Series in November.

He captured the award in the foreign category over sumo star Asashoryu, who placed second, and Gamba Osaka striker Araujo and ozeki Kotooshu, who tied for third.

TOKYO (Oct. 4) -- Masato Mizuno, president of worldwide sporting goods conglomerate Mizuno Corporation, was the guest of honor at the Foreign Sportswriters Association of Japan meeting on Monday, Oct. 3.

Mizuno, grandson of Mizuno Corp. founder Rihachi Mizuno, who began the family business with a single shop in Osaka in 1906, discussed the history of the company, along with its current endeavors and plans for the future.

The official supplier of uniforms to the International Olympic Committee, the Mizuno Corp. has also had long and successful associations with numerous top athletes including Ichiro Suzuki, Carl Lewis, Seve Ballesteros, Pete Rose and Koji Murofushi.

The 62-year-old Mizuno was awarded the Olympic Order of Merit in 2001 for his contribution to the Olympic movement, which has family has been associated with since the 1924 Paris Games. He is a board member of the Japan Olympic Committee, a past president of the World Federation of Sporting Goods Industry and a board member of the Japan Anti-Doping Agency.

TOKYO (Sept. 13) -- Toshimitsu Kawachi, commissioner of Japan's first-ever pro basketball league (Basketball-Japan League), which begins play in November, was the guest of honor at the Foreign Sportswriters Association of Japan meeting on Monday, Sept. 12.

Kawachi, a former head coach and player for the Japan national team, discussed the progress in the formation of the six-team circuit and preparations for its inaugural season.

Just one year ahead of Japan playing host to the FIBA world championships, the launch of the bj-league is an important step in the buildup to this major event.

The 51-year-old Kawachi, who played in the Japan League for nearly 10 years,was most recently president of Niigata Sports Promotions, the owner of successful teams in both the Japan Basketball League and J.League.

The bj-league will feature teams in Tokyo, Saitama, Sendai, Niigata, Osaka and Oita, and play a 40-game schedule in 2005-2006. Kawachi plans to have the league expand to 12 teams and play an 80-game schedule within five years.

TOKYO (June 28) -- Bobby Valentine, manager of the Pacific League-leading Chiba Lotte Marines and the only man to pilot a team in the American League, National League and Japanese League, was the guest of honor at Foreign Sportswriters Association of Japan meeting on Monday, June 27.

Valentine, who won the National League pennant in 2000 with the New York Mets, discussed the performance of his team this season and gave his views on a variety of other issues including interleague play, the proposed World Baseball Classic and the performance of Japanese players in the major leagues.

A former top analyst for ESPN, Valentine spent 10 years in the majors before injuries cut short his career. He was a first-round draft choice of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1968 and turned down a football scholarship to USC to play pro baseball, where he also wore the uniform of the Angels, Padres, Mets and Mariners.

Following his retirement in 1979 at age 29, Valentine began his career as a coach. In 1985, at the age of 35, he became the manager of the Texas Rangers. The following year he was named the UPI manager of the year. He went on to manage the Rangers until 1992.

Now in the second season of his second stint with the Marines, Valentine first managed the club in 1995, when he led Chiba Lotte to its best finish in 20 years. He returned to the States and managed the Mets from 1996 until 2002.

Valentine, who skippered the National League team in the 2001 All-Star Game, has also been a very successful businessman off the field. He owns three restaurants in Connecticut and Texas and has his own signature line of clothing.

To contact the FSAJ, please e-mail fsaj@fsaj.com

TOKYO (June 1) -- Takeshi Okada, manager of the two-time defending J. League champion Yokohama F. Marinos and the man who led Japan to its first World Cup appearance ever, was the guest of honor at FSAJ meeting on Monday, May 30.

Okada, named the J.League manager of the year in both 2003 and 2004, spoke about his injury-plagued squad's struggles this season, the Asian Champions League and what it took to lead a team into the world's biggest sporting event.

"It's more fun coaching at the club team level," Okada said when asked if he would be interested in being Japan's national team coach sometime again in the future. "Being national team coach was a lot of pressure for me."

A native of Osaka, the 48-year-old Okada earned 27 caps for Japan during his playing days. He played in 189 matches in the Japan Soccer League with Furukawa Electric.

Okada said he likes the J.League's decision to return to a single-stage format for the 2005 season, despite the concerns of some that fan interest could wane if one team opens up a commanding lead in the standings.

"There has been 12 years of the J. League and entertainment has been a huge part of it -- and there has been a strong following. But I think it shouldn't be just about entertainment and amusement. We need to ingrain the sport into Japanese culture."

After retiring as a player in 1990, Okada was an assistant coach for Furukawa Electric and JEF United Ichihara before taking the same job with Japan's national team in 1994.

Following three seasons with the national side, Okada was dramatically thrust into the role of team manager in October of 1997. Okada rose to the occasion, leading Japan - which had been practically written off - to its inaugural appearance in the World Cup at France 1998.

In 1999, Okada took over as manager of Consadole Sapporo in the J.League's second division and piloted the club to the league title in 2000 and promotion back into the first division. He became the coach of the F. Marinos prior to the 2002 season.

TOKYO (April 6) -- Jim Armstrong of The Associated Press, Michael Church of The Daily Yomiuri and freelance writer Jeremy Walker were winners of the inaugural Foreign Sportswriters Association of Japan Media Awards on Tuesday night.

Armstrong was honored as Best Wire Reporter, while Church was named Best Columnist and Walker tabbed the Best Writer for their work in 2004.

Best-selling author Robert Whiting was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the FSAJ, while The Daily Yomiuri was selected as the Best Section in a ceremony held at Lawry's The Prime Rib in Akasaka.

Armstrong's coverage of both international and domestic sports events was featured prominently in the local press last year. He followed the first strike in Japanese pro baseball history in 2004.

Church wrote several pieces critical of Japan national team coach Zico and on the J. League throughout the season.

Walker provided extensive coverage on Japanese athletes at the Athens Games last summer and also followed Japan's soccer team during the year.

Whiting has written several acclaimed books on Japanese baseball, including You Gotta Have Wa, The Chrysanthemum and the Bat and The Meaning of Ichiro.

Voting for the inaugural FSAJ Media Awards was done by qualified members of the group in February. The winners in the four categories (Best Columnist, Best Writer, Best Wire Reporter, Best Section) were announced for the first time at the dinner.

Kosuke Kitajima with his 2004 FSAJ Japanese Sportsman of the Year Trophy

 

 

FSAJ Japanese Sportsman of the Year

Kitajima accepts trophy at Feb. 1 meeting

 

 

TOKYO (Feb. 2) -- Double Olympic gold medal swimmer Kosuke Kitajima, winner of the inaugural Foreign Sportswriters Association of Japan Sportsman of the Year Award for Japanese athletes in 2004, was the guest of honor at FSAJ meeting on Tuesday, February 1.

Kitajima, who captured the men's 100- and 200-meter breaststroke events at the Athens Games in August, took first place in balloting by members of the FSAJ in the Japanese category in December, while sumo star Asashoryu took honors in the foreign category.

Tokyo native Kitajima, a student at Nippon Sport Science University, was on hand to receive his trophy from the FSAJ for his outstanding performance last year and made the evening one for all in attendance to remember.

"It is a great honor to accept this award from your organization," said the Olympic hero. "Thank you very much for inviting me."

Kitajima spent more than two-and-a-half hours with the nearly 25 people in attendance at the meeting. He discussed his training regimen, his thoughts on both Japanese and foreign media, and how winning two Olympic gold medals has forever changed his life.

"The impact of the Olympics on my life has been profound," said Kitajima. "But I would not change anything, in spite of that."

He answered every question put to him by the group and seemed to thoroughly enjoy the evening, which included a full course meal at Lawry's The Prime Rib in Akasaka.

Kitajima, 22, is also a two-time world champion, having won both the 100- and 200-meter breaststroke events at the World Championships in Barcelona in 2003. He captured both races in world record times.

TOKYO (Dec. 20) -- Double Olympic gold medal swimmer Kosuke Kitajima and sumo star Asashoryu have been selected as the top Japanese and foreign athlete for 2004 in voting by the Foreign Sportswriters Association of Japan.

Kitajima, who won the men's 100- and 200-meter breaststroke events at the Athens Games in August, took first place in balloting by members of the FSAJ in the Japanese category, outpolling catcher Atsuya Furuta of the Yakult Swallows, who finished second, and world figure skating champion Shizuka Arakawa, who came in third, for the honor.

Asashoryu, a native of Mongolia, won five of the six annual sumo tournaments held in Japan this year, becoming the first wrestler to accomplish the feat in 18 years. He captured the award in the foreign category over American slugger Tuffy Rhodes of the Yomiuri Giants and the Urawa Reds Brazilian striker Emerson, who tied for second place.

TOKYO (Dec. 13) -- Top executives from FIBA, basketball's world governing body, spoke at the Foreign Sportswriters Association of Japan meeting on Monday, November 29 in Tokyo.

The group was in Japan on an inspection tour of the venues for the FIBA 2006 Basketball World Championships to be hosted by Japan. With 24 nations from around the globe participating, it promises to be the biggest event the nation has been a part of since cohosting soccer's World Cup in 2002.

A total of 80 games will be played in five cities (Sapporo, Sendai, Saitama, Hamamatsu and Hiroshima) throughout the nation (between Aug. 19 and Sept. 6, 2006) and they promise to feature some of the game's top international stars. Japan is automatically qualified for the event as the host country.

FIBA Director of Communications Florian Wanninger gave an excellent presentation on the plans and goals for the world championships, which will mark the second time the event has been held in Asia, and the first since it was hosted by the Philippines back in 1978.

"The Asian market is very important to FIBA," said Wanninger, a former German League basketball player. "Japan and China are key countries for us. There are 600,000 registered basketball players (including high school, college, club and corporate teams) in Japan."

Wanninger said FIBA likes the local organizing committee's strategy with regards to the designated venues.

"We think it is good for the sport to spread games across Japan. What we want to do is promote basketball here and have full arenas."

FIBA brought five executives, from five different countries, to the meeting, representing just how global basketball has become. In attendance along with Wanninger were: Paul Stimpson (television), Lubomir Kotleba (sports director), Mabel Ching (event marketing) and Stephanie Mignot (television).

The quintet combined to put on an informative and interesting evening for the FSAJ.

TOKYO (Nov. 7) -- Japan Olympic Committee President Tsunekazu Takeda was the guest of honor at the Foreign Sportswriters Association of Japan meeting on Thursday, October 28.

Takeda spoke about Japan's record-setting performance at the Athens Games, including the controversy which resulted in hammer thrower Koji Murofushi getting the gold medal, cited his goals for the years ahead, including the construction of a national training center, and reflected back on the 40th anniversary of the 1964 Tokyo Games.

Takeda detailed how he and the JOC organized a strategic plan to boost Japan's medal count in Athens, following poor showings in recent Summer Games. This included a specific numeric goal for medals in relation to the number of athletes Japan had competing.

"In 2001, we launched the JOC Gold Plan which was to try and double the number of gold medals we won (in Sydney) within 10 years and have a 3.75 percent medal yield. However, we have already surpassed this goal with our performance in Athens, where we had a 3.98 percent medal yield.

"The JOC Gold Plan was established to inspire all of the various sports to have a better exchange of information and develop an advisory system for coaching," said Takeda. "We feel the results have been promising."

An equestrian at Munich in 1972 and Montreal in 1976, Takeda has long been associated with the Olympic movement. He has been a part of Japan's team as a participant, coach, manager or executive in every Summer Games since Munich and was head of Japan's delegation at the Salt Lake City Games in 2002.

Takeda, 57, became the youngest JOC president ever when he was elected to the post in October 2001 and re-energized the organization with his leadership and vision, following Japan's disappointing medal count in Sydney in 2000.

"I was very pleased with the effort of our team, as we rose from 15th in the medals list in Sydney to fifth in Athens. Our results better reflect the economic power and population of Japan with the other nations competing. Our great challenge for the next Olympics is how to sustain this level of success."

TOKYO (Sept. 29) --Yomiuri Giants star outfielder Tuffy Rhodes was the guest of honor at the Foreign Sportswriters Association of Japan meeting on Monday, September 27.

Speaking before a captive audience at Legends sports bar in Roppongi, Rhodes, the all-time leader in home runs by a foreign player in Japanese pro baseball history with 332, spoke about a variety of subjects including the recent labor troubles in the game here, his move from the Kintetsu Buffaloes to the Giants this season and Ichiro Suzuki's pursuit of the major league single-season hits record.

"You can't compare the game in America and Japan," said Rhodes. "They are totally different. They both have great athletes. You have baseball in America and yakyu in Japan."

A veteran of six seasons in the major leagues, Rhodes is currently finishing up his ninth year here, making him the longest tenured active foreigner in the game.

Rhodes, who equaled the record of the legendary Sadaharu Oh for home runs in one season when he blasted 55 in 2001, spent the first eight years of his Japan career starring for the Buffaloes.

"I feel bad (about the demise of the Kintetsu franchise). Especially for the kids who grew up in Osaka hoping to play for the team. Now that dream is gone."

A native of Cincinnati, Rhodes broke into the majors at the age of 20 and went on to play for three teams (Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox) before starting his Japan career in 1996.

Rhodes played against Ichiro for five seasons in the Pacific League and gave this assessment of his former opponent.

"The object of the game is to get hits and Ichiro is the best at doing that. His hand-eye coordination is incredible. The guy just doesn't strike out. "

One of the true gentlemen in the game, Rhodes gave all of those in attendance at the FSAJ meeting a wonderful evening to remember.

TOKYO (Aug. 5) - Former Japan Olympian and top marathon media analyst Akemi Masuda was the guest of honor at the August meeting of the Foreign Sportswriters Association of Japan meeting on Aug. 3.

Masuda, who ran for Japan in the inaugural women's Olympic marathon at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, is the foremost expert on one of the nation's most popular spectator sports and will be covering the Athens Games for Japanese television.

Speaking before a very keen audience at Legends sports bar in Roppongi, Masuda gave a preview of what to expect from the Japanese marathoners in Athens, talked about the highly controversial omission of 2000 Olympic marathon gold medalist Naoko Takahashi from the Japan team and also discussed her own career in the marathon.

"England's Paula Radcliffe (the world record holder) is going to be tough to beat in Athens," said Masuda. "Mizuki Noguchi is the strongest of the Japanese female marathoners and has a real chance for a medal in the race."

Masuda bemoaned the fact that Takahashi, the first woman to break 2 hours, 20 minutes in the marathon, was passed over.

"Personally, I wanted to see her selected, but there were some difficult decisions facing the selectors based on the performance of the other three runners (Noguchi, Naoko Sakamoto, Reiko Tosa) in the qualifying races."

Masuda, a native of Chiba Prefecture, had a spectacular career as a distance runner, setting 12 Japan national records and two world records during a 13-year span, in which she became one of the pioneers in the women's marathon.

TOKYO (June 29) -- Award-winning writer Robert Whiting, author of current hot property The Meaning of Ichiro, was the guest of honor at the inaugural Foreign Sportswriters Association of Japan meeting on June 28.

Speaking before an enthusiastic audience of nearly 20 people at Legends sports bar in Roppongi, Whiting related his experiences and frustrations at being a foreign sports journalist in Japan during the past 30 years. Telling tales from both the distant past and present day, Whiting enthralled all of those in attendance with both his perception and wit.

Whiting, the author of best sellers The Chrysanthemum and the Bat (Time Magazine's 1977 Sports Book of the Year and the classic You Gotta Have Wa (1990), expressed his full support for the FSAJ, which is seeking to improve working conditions at events and access for its members, as well as recognize outstanding achievement.

"The formation of the FSAJ is a great idea and one that I am behind 100 percent," said Whiting. "We should have done this long ago."

The historic meeting was attended by representatives from several media organizations, including The Japan Times, The Associated Press, IHT-Asahi and AFP. Members of several other organizations sent their regrets at not being able to attend.

Whiting, also the author of the best seller Tokyo Underworld (2000), was kind enough to bring along a copy of his new tome and offer it to the winner of the evening's special drawing.

Shigemi Sato of AFP was the lucky winner of the book and Whiting gave him a personalized autograph to cap off, what all who came agreed, was a very successful opening night for the FSAJ.

The Foreign Sportswriters Association of Japan, consisting of full-time, part-time and contributing members of the sports departments of English-language newspapers, wire services, magazines, Internet, radio and television outlets in Japan, was officially formed on April 12, 2004.

The FSAJ is an inclusive organization with both foreign and Japanese members.

The FSAJ is dedicated to the following principles:

1. Striving to improve access and working conditions for members at sporting events throughout Japan.

The FSAJ will aim to level the playing field for members by meeting with organizations and teams in professional and amateur sports and negotiating with them. Providing an equitable opportunity to obtain credentials, gain access to locker rooms, receive better seating location during major events and the ability to obtain interviews with players, managers and executives, are among the goals.

2. Recognizing outstanding achievement by members on an annual basis.

Each year the FSAJ will vote for the top performances in sports journalism among its members during the coinciding calendar year in the following categories: Columnist, Writer, Wire Reporter, Section, Game Story, Feature Story, News Story, Investigative Story.

3. Periodically hosting prominent speakers from the world of sports.

The FSAJ will seek to provide a forum for members to hear the views of renowned athletes, coaches and executives from the field of professional and amateur sports.

The FSAJ is not a labor union and will not serve as an advocate for those involved in legal activities against other individuals or organizations. All decisions on the club's activities are made by the executive committee.