Yuki Koike earned a spot in the Tokyo Olympics by winning the men's 200 meters in 20.46 seconds at the national athletics championships on Sunday.
"I've always been losing so it feels great to win," said a normally cool Koike, who pumped his fist several times.
It was the first national title in the 200 for the 26-year-old. A narrow fourth in Friday's 100, Koike is a strong candidate to also receive Japan's final spot for that race in Tokyo.
However, he may need to choose between the two sprints, since the Japan Association of Athletics Federations wants to concentrate on winning the 4 x 100 relay gold medal, and prefers its sprinters not compete in both the 100 and 200.
"I will think about it then (once berths in both events are confirmed). I will consult with the coach," said Koike.
Abdul Hakim Sani Brown, who withdrew from the 200 on Saturday due to discomfort in his left thigh, remains in the frame for an Olympic 200 berth, the former 100 national record holder having run below the 20.24 qualifying standard for the 200 this season.
In the men's 110-meter hurdles, Shunsuke Izumiya set a national record in 13.06 to punch his Olympic ticket. He'll be joined in Tokyo by Taio Kanai and Shunya Takayama who filled the podium's other two steps at Yanmar Stadium Osaka.
Yuki Hashioka qualified for the Olympics by winning his fourth national long jump title with an 8.36-meter leap. Hibiki Tsuha and Shotaro Shiroyama earned the other Olympic team long jump spots.
Ririka Hironaka qualified for a second Olympic event by winning her first national 5,000 championship in 15:5.69. She will also compete in the Olympic 10,000. Runner-up Hitomi Niiya will join her in the 5,000, as will third-placed Nozomi Tanaka, who came into the race having already earned a spot in the Olympic event.
