Brett Larner wrote:
Genki Yagisawa, a former high school star who has so far struggled to live up to expectations on the university ekiden circuit. Running in the 5000 m A-heat Yagisawa scored a massive 27-second PB of 13:28.79 for 2nd behind a PB run from Sendai Ikuei H.S. ace Hiram Ngatia (Kenya) and ahead of the likes of 2010 World XC junior silver medalist Clement Langat (Kenya/Team Subaru), his time making him only the second Japanese 20-year-old to ever go sub-13:30. For comparison, current #1 under-23 American Chris Derrick's best at the same age was one second slower, 13:29.74, with only four American 20-year-olds including Alberto Salazar ever clocking better times.
To be fair, Derrick did also run 13:29 at age 18. Did it again at age 20 and then improved to 13:19 at 21 and then 13:08 this year at age 22.