May 13, 2024
Seiko Group Corporation
Seiko Group Corporation (Chairman & Group CEO, CCO: Shinji Hattori; head office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan) is proud to serve as a special sponsor and the official timer for the upcoming Seiko Golden Grand Prix 2024 Tokyo on May 19, 2024.
The Seiko Golden Grand Prix is part of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting, organized by World Athletics, and will take place at the Japan National Stadium, the venue for the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 in September 2025. Top athletes from around the world will gather at the Japan National Stadium to compete in this prestigious event.
Ken Toyoda, representing Team Seiko, will compete in the 400m hurdles. Toyoda was the men's 110m hurdles champion at the 2023 FISU World University Games and the 400m hurdles champion at the Japan National University Championships, with a remarkable time of 48.91 seconds.
On the morning of the games, Seiko Exciting Sports School will welcome elementary school students from club teams registered with the Tokyo Association of Athletics Federations as part of its ongoing mission to nurture the next generation of athletes. Ms. Chisato Fukushima, the current Japanese record holder in the women's 100m and 200m sprints and Seiko Smile Ambassador for sports, will lead the session, accompanied by three legendary athletes who will participate in a special 4x100m mixed gender relay. This year's event will introduce a unique spectator seating arrangement, allowing participants to watch and support the games alongside Seiko Sports Fan Leader Tamujo, a popular running enthusiast and comic YouTuber, who will be in the stands adjoining the back “straight” of the track.
Seiko has proudly served as the official timer of this event since its inception in 2011. We remain committed to supporting elite athletes in their pursuit of greatness, using our high-precision technology to measure every 1/1000th of a second and record split-second finishes, ensuring that everyone can share in the excitement of each event.
● Name: Seiko Golden Grand Prix 2024 Tokyo
*Part of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting
● Date: Sunday, May 19, 2024
● Organizer: Japan Association of Athletics Federations (JAAF)
● Venue: National Stadium (10-1, Kasumigaoka-machi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0013)
● Events:
- Men's 100m, 200m, 400m, 5000m, 110m hurdles, 400m hurdles, High jump, Long jump, Javelin throw
- Women's: 100m, 1500m, 5000m, 100m hurdles, Triple jump, Javelin throw
Seiko's corporate commercials will be aired on the TBS nationwide network.
Commercials:
"Timing Athletics" - 15 seconds
"Seiko Prospex and Shohei Otani: Enjoy the challenges of sport." - 15 seconds
Seiko Exciting Sports School
The Seiko Exciting Sports School will be featured in this year's event, just as it was last year. With Seiko Smile Ambassador Chisato Fukushima as the lead instructor, the 4x100m mixed-gender relay will be held for elementary school students who actively participate in track and field. Joining Ms. Fukushima will be three legendary athletes, who will share tips on baton passing and conduct relay demonstrations.
● Date: Sunday, May 19, 2024
● Time: 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.
● Venue: National Stadium (10-1, Kasumigaoka-machi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo)
● Participants: Elementary school students (primarily 5th and 6th graders) who are members
of club teams registered with the Tokyo Association of Athletics Federations
● Number of Participants:
135 (27 teams for the mixed gender 4x100m relay, each team consisting of 4 runners + 1 alternate)
● Instructor: Chisato Fukushima (Seiko Smile Ambassador)
● Guests: Three famous athletes: Shinji Takahira, Masashi Eriguchi, Momoko
Takahashi
● MCs: Tamujo (Seiko Sports Fan Leader), DJ Ketchup
Seiko Booth Exhibit
On the day of the event, a Seiko booth will be set up near Gate E of the National Stadium. The booth will feature the "9.95 Second Challenge," a game using a real timer from international sporting events, as well as a photo booth. Participants in this game will have a chance to win an Exact Time Prize!
Tamujo x Seiko Special Spectator Seat Project
On the day of the event, a special spectator seating arrangement will be available for people to watch and cheer alongside Tamujo, a Seiko sports supporter known as a running enthusiast and comic YouTuber. More than 500 participants will receive a handheld paper fan, on the back of which they can write the names of the athletes they are supporting. Together with Tamujo, they will enthusiastically cheer for their favorite athletes in each event. Tamujo will serve as the MC for the Exciting Sports School and will also be a guest at the Seiko booth.
Profile of Ken Toyoda
Ken Toyoda is a versatile multi-hurdler, proficient in three events: the men’s 400m sprint, 110m hurdles, and 400m hurdles. He takes full advantage of his 195cm height to excel in his events.
In August 2023, he won his first world title in the men's 110m hurdles at the 31st FISU World University Games in China, becoming the first Japanese athlete to secure a gold medal in this event at either a world championship or the Olympics.
In September of the same year, he tied for first place in the men’s 400m hurdles at the 92nd Japan National University Championships, winning the event in 48.91 seconds and establishing himself as the top student athlete in Japan.
2021: 37th U20 Japan National Championships, 110m hurdles (JH), 3rd place
2022: 91st Japan National University Championships, 400m, 3rd place
Fuse Sprint (Japan GP), 110m hurdles, 3rd place
91st Japan National University Championships, 400m hurdles, 2nd place
2023: 2023 Japan University Student Individual Championships, 110m hurdles, Champion
Michitaka Kinami Memorial Meet, 400m hurdles, 3rd place10th
36th Chuhei Nambu Memorial Meet, 110m hurdles, Champion
31st FISU World University Games, 110m hurdles, Champion
92nd Japan National University Championships, 400m hurdles, Champion
110m hurdles: 13.29 seconds (6th in Japan, August 2023)
400m hurdles: 48.47 seconds (2023)
400m: 45.57 seconds (2024)
Profile of Chisato Fukushima
Chisato Fukushima is the Japanese record holder in the women's 100m and 200m events.
During her active career, she won the 100m title at the Japan National Championships for seven consecutive years from 2010 to 2016. At the 2011 World Athletics Championships, she made history as the first Japanese woman to reach the semi-finals.
She retired in January 2022 and currently serves as a Seiko Smile Ambassador, focusing on sports. In this role, she contributes to the development of the next generation of athletes by participating in programs that teach children the joy of physical exercise through practical skills.
Japan National Championship: 100m champion (8 times: 2008, 2010-2016)
Japan National Championship: 200m champion (8 times: 2009, 2011-2016, 2018)
2008 Olympic Games Beijing (100m)
2009 World Athletics Championships Berlin (100m, 200m)
2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou: Gold medals in 100m and 200m (first Japanese woman to win
two titles)
2011 World Athletics Championships Daegu (100m, 200m)
2012 Olympic Games London (100m, 200m)
2013 World Athletics Championships Moscow (100m)
2014 Asian Games in Incheon (100m silver, 200m bronze)
2015 World Athletics Championships Beijing (100m, 200m)
2016 Olympic Games Rio de Janeiro (100m, 200m)
2018 Asian Games in Jakarta (100m, 200m, 4x100m relay)
100m: 11.21 seconds (Japan record)
200m: 22.88 seconds (Japan record)
4x100m relay: 43.39 seconds
Press Contact:
Seiko Group Corporation
Public Relations Department
prdeptj@seiko.co.jp
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