Hi Guys,
I have arrived in Miyakojima ready for the Strongman Japan on Sunday 20th April. I flew into Tokyo last night and roomed with an Austrian pro male, Gernot Seidl. A quiet night with only one funny episode when Samantha's g-string fell out of my washing in front of Gernot! On my flight over from Sydney were two other Aussies racing, Patrick and Nadelle Legge. Nadelle has placed well in this race the past two years and Patrick raced here last year. They absolutely love the race, the island, and the locals that make this race.
This morning we met the other pro athletes in Tokyo before all flying here to Miyakojima. Gary Sato organises the international guys and gals to come and compete against the best Asian competitors. He has been a part of this race for many years, first as an elite competitor and now lately as a liason. Clemens Coenen (Germany), Tim Hola (USA), Luis Dela Torres (USA) are the other pro males flying in. Verena Walters (Germany) joins Nadelle in the female race.
Miyakojima is a beautiful island. So clean, lush, and with stunning beaches and coves around every bend. Upon first arriving at the airport we had photo's of our group and individually, newspaper interviews, and television interviews. Quite a fun thing to do and really gets you into the spirit of things showing you how much of a big thing this race is in Japan and on this island for the locals. It is the 24th edition of the race here and there are tv specials of previous editions, posters all over the place, banners over road ways, and locals screaming out to you. They even do a special run of the beer cans from the beer sponsor with it changing each year. This year it is a photo of the island and course layout on the can. Think one will be making it to the trophy room! If you go top 10 overall, they give you a special year edition saki bottle in the shape of the island with the course and details on it! I am definitely aiming for one of those little babies...
After a swim in the crystal waters and building the bike to make sure all is ok, the invited athletes headed to a meeting with the Mayor of Miyakojima and Chairman of the Strongman Committee. A lovely man who is genuinely interested in supporting this race and bringing athletes from around the globe to his island to talk to school kids, see their culture, fall in love with his island, and challenge us to have fun racing whilst doing our best. We all brought gifts from our home countries (myself a boomerang, Patrick and Nadelle a Sherin football - watch out locals as the Mayor looked like it was Christmas with those gifts). Some more photo's with the Mayor and associates from the Committee and we were off to a Japanese restaurant for dinner. A good helping and it was home to run off dinner, the flight, and loosen up.
Tommorrow we have school visits, some training, registration, and a dinner with the Miyakojima Rotary Club.
All's going well and I am looking forward to racing on the weekend.
Cheers,
Bevan.
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