2019 Fukuoka winner de-throned

by Brett Larner

The Japanese Federation has announced that the Moroccan El Mahjoub Dazza has been stripped of his victory at the 73rd Fukuoka International Marathon held on 1 December 2019.

A short time after the race Dazza was found to have violated anti-doping regulations and the Athletics Integrity Unit suspended him for four years. Following a rejection of his appeal by the Court of Arbitration for Sport last week all of Dazza’s results after 4 May 2019, including his Fukuoka win, were disqualified.

For that reason all athletes who finished 2nd and lower in the race will be elevated one position, making runner-up Taku Fujimoto the winner and giving the Toyota corporate team and head coach Toshinobu Sato two-straight Fukuoka victories, following teammate Yuma Hattori’s 2018 win.

The Fukuoka International Marathon is known worldwide as one of the most prestigious traditional races and last year was selected as the recipient of World Athletics’ Heritage Plaque. Nevertheless, in March this year the JAAF announced that this year’s 75th running on 5 December will be its final edition.