Okinawan cyclists selected to represent Japan at Rio Olympics

Japan Cycling Federation announced on Mar. 17th that 31-year-old Yukiya Arashiro from Ishigaki Island and 27-year-old Kohei Uchima from Urasoe City have been chosen to represent Japan in the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games this summer.

Japan has only two seats for the men’s cycling road race competition at the games, so the two cyclists from Okinawa will be the national men’s cycling team. The federation announced the selection at a press conference at the Bicycle Sogo Building in Shinagawa, Tokyo.

The men’s road race is scheduled to take place on Aug. 6th. This will be the second time for Arashiro to appear in the Olympic games following his participation in the London Olympics. Uchima will make his Olympic debut in Rio.

Arashiro broke his left thighbone in a race in Qatar in February, and has since worked hard to rehabilitate himself. In an interview with media, Arashiro said, “Although I broke my leg, the injury will heal, and I will recover before the Olympics. I will be well prepared for the race.”

22:15 29 Mar , 2024