Go away, this old news has already been posted multiple times.
Always late to the party are ya?
Some interesting drama about the Japanese elite field has been in the Japanese press. Essentially Yuta Shitara has declared that he is going to target a sub 2:05 time, thereby reclaiming the national record from rival Sugaru Osako. Osako is also racing the Tokyo marathon, and neither of these two has made the Japan olympic team yet.
The interesting part is, Shitara says if he beats the current 2:05:50 record held by Osaka but is not able to go sub 2:05, then he will not run in the Olympics but rather forfeit his spot to Osako.
Both of them have too much pride. I can’t imagine Osako taking the Olympic team spot under such circumstances.
It will make for an interesting race. Count on Shitara front running along with the East Africans. Osako will probably stalk and try to out kick Shitara, but I honestly don’t know if either one is capable of sub 2:05.
Here's why it was wise. In the meantime, "flu is worse bro" losers spread the true misformation.