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In a remarkable display of sportsmanship at the Tokyo World Championships, Yuma Yamamoto assisted her teammate Nozomi Tanaka in the first heat of the women’s 5000m, helping Tanaka secure a spot in the final. This act of teamwork unfolded on the sixth day of the evening session at the National Stadium.
A Pre-Race Agreement
Nozomi Tanaka, representing New Balance, faced uncertainty heading into the 5000m race after an early exit in the 1500m heats. She was hesitant about her race strategy, struggling to commit to her usual mid-race surge that had brought her success on the world stage before.
Sensing her teammate’s hesitation, Yuma Yamamoto of Sekisui Chemical extended a crucial offer. During their meal the night before the race, Yamamoto approached Tanaka, saying, “If there’s a pace you want me to set, just let me know.”
While they were rivals competing for the same final, Yamamoto felt a strong desire to see Tanaka advance. She recalled the Paris Olympics last year where they were in the same heat. Yamamoto had pushed the pace then, even breaking away from the pack alone, but both ultimately failed to qualify. She remembered Tanaka telling her, “I should have stuck with you.” For Tanaka, Yamamoto’s words were “the final piece of the puzzle” that helped her overcome her doubts and fears.
Executing the Plan
In response to the offer, Tanaka laid out the strategy: “If the race starts slow, I need you to push for six and a half laps at a 72-second pace.” Yamamoto readily agreed and put the plan into action.
As the race began to slow, both Japanese runners moved to the front. Yamamoto took the lead, clocking the first lap at 70 seconds and leading the pack through the 1000m mark in 2:57 and the 2000m mark in 5:59. With six laps remaining, Tanaka took over, increasing the pace. The lead group began to thin out around the 3000m mark, and by the final lap, only eight runners remained, placing Tanaka safely within the qualifying group.
The Aftermath and Future Goals
Tanaka finished fifth with a time of 14:47.14, advancing to her second consecutive World Championships final. Immediately after the race, she clasped Yamamoto’s hands, expressing her gratitude. Yamamoto, who finished 18th in 15:36.29, later said Tanaka told her, “It was thanks to you, Yuma. We made that race happen together.”
Yamamoto’s motivation stemmed from a desire to repay Tanaka, who had acted as a pacemaker for her at the Kanakuri Memorial and Seiko Golden Grand Prix events earlier in the year. Those races resulted in personal bests for Yamamoto and helped her qualify for the World Championships. “I really wanted Tanaka to get through the heats,” Yamamoto explained. “I was happy she relied on me. That pace was one where I could aim for a personal best too, so it was for my sake as well as hers.”
Although disappointed with her own performance in the latter half of the race, Yamamoto was in good spirits. “I’m not on her level yet,” she said of Tanaka, “but this makes me even more determined for next time.” With the Asian Games set to be held in her native Aichi next year, Yamamoto is already looking ahead, inspired to one day not just assist, but race alongside her teammate in a final.
