Changing room chat: Fujiwara thrusts his way into Olympics
Hiromi Kashiki, the creator of the popular dance style based on highly suggestive hip-gyrating movements, says Fujiwara, who visited her studio for a one-on-one workout the day before last month’s Tokyo Marathon, is a natural. “When I first saw Fujiwara, I noticed his pelvis wasn’t very stable,” she said: “I tried to make sure his pelvic area was more relaxed – removing wasted energy to release that explosive power.” Fujiwara said: “Up till now I’ve been really bad at using my hips effectively. After I got some lessons from Kashiki, my running style improved.”
The 30-year-old qualified for the Japan team by finishing runner-up in Tokyo with a personal best of two hours, seven minutes, 48 seconds.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdFujiwara left a marathon squad bankrolled by Japan Rail to go solo two years ago. He relied on donated shoes and trained in a Tokyo park. “Being starving, being hungry, was character-building,” he added.