Japanese Marathoners - Why are they so much better than the Americans?

Takinadump wrote:

que?? wrote:

Que? Not a factor in major marathons? Rupp is a factor in any major marathons he is in. Who do you think won Chicago in 2017?? Only a precious few can beat Rupp. As long as he is not retired, the US is #3 in the world.

Rupp got spanked in Chicago last year by Osako you fool. It was a devastating loss for him especially because it came very late in the race. So much for that 10k PR speed he's supposed to just be able to throw down. As if that's really a thing that happens in an honest race. After Rupp retires I don't see anyone coming in from the wings to represent the US. Our focus on middle distance is too strong.

Rupp has never lost to an American in the marathon distance. Injured at Chicago last year still gave him a 2:06.

In the wings we are light in the loafers, nobody really coming through that would be considered a world class contender on the mens side. I think Tokyo will be very tough for Rupp to medal.

Japanese people do in general have variations of genes that focus more on endurance. But at the same time they have developed shorter limbs do to climate. So they mostly got manh of the right aerobic genes but wrong bodies to utilise it to max

It's all based on the sport the athlete wants to pursue. Like with any other countries, you'll find a wide variety of body types depending on the sport:

https://www.boredpanda.com/athlete-body-types-comparison-howard-schatz/

Look at the big monster Sumo wrestlers in Japan. A far different body type than those wispy thin Japanese distance runners. 7000 calories a day will give just about anyone a Sumo wrestling body type. ?

https://medium.com/@SylviaTaraPhD/by-any-standard-the-sumo-wrestler-would-be-considered-obese-596defe012a9

The Japanese running culture reveres the marathon far above any distance. Broadly speaking, the Japanese excel at the marathon, but suck at every other distance.

Mr. Roboto wrote:

The Japanese running culture reveres the marathon far above any distance. Broadly speaking, the Japanese excel at the marathon, but suck at every other distance.

I thought they have some pretty good sprinters in the making that they want to showcase for Tokyo?

Even if China has a bigger developed, due to the fact of over population, some of the citizens live at their lowest. I always was with the opinion that Japan is ahead of most of the Asian countries. But now speaking about marathoners, I never noticed or looked closely at who is faster or better. But, I think that Japaneses are way faster and more athletic. They educated the endurecment and sports qualification. To be honest I was always interested in this nation. Being different from our they have different habits and education. This site https://thejapaneseway.com can help you find good info about them.

I knoe this site. It always gives real info and interseting in the same time.

The real questions: Why does Japan produce solid 60m & 100m sprinters? Why does Japan produce solid Marathoners and ultra runners? Why does Japan lack high level athletes, 400m to 3000m?

I'm surprised no one has yet cited Adharanand Finn's book. He lived there for six months while specifically researching it, and spoke to the "usual authorities" on the subject like Brendan Reilly and Brett Larner.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Way-Runner-journey-obsessive-Japanese/dp/057130317X/

He did the same in Kenya earlier. It's a great read, and it also brings home that there is huge variety among the different corporate teams.

In brief, the Hakone Ekiden being "Japan's Superbowl" is what drives it.