All professional championships, were combined with the Olympic selection track races for Atlanta, and were held at Iwaki velodrome, Fukushima pref. on May 12th.
Professionals can ride in this Olympics for the first time and and Keirin racer Takanobu Jumonji (from Ibaragi pref.) defeated Yuichiro Kamiyama (from Tochigi pref.) to be selected for men's kilometre trial, Masahiro Yasuhara (INOAC-DEKI) was first placed in the men's points race, which was held on April 29th, and was selected for the Olympic points race.
In the womens' trials, Seiko Hashimoto overwhelmed rivals in both the sprint and the 3000 meter individual pursuit and she extended the Japanese record to make the Olympic teams 7 times ( 4 winter and 3 summer). Summer and Winter to "seven" times.
She has been a speed skating racer since she was young and has been selected for Olympic games in Winter four times and in summer three times (Seoul, Barcelona and Atlanta). She has won several medals in the winter games in speed skating and is the most famous woman in Japanese sport.
Most people in Japan get to know cycling through her participation, and sadly, the TV programs have placed undue focus on her events and have largely ignored events that she does not participate in.
Hashimoto, has some problems with participating in her 7th games in terms of the consistency with the Diet Congress. She said that "there would be a extension of the Diet session and there seems to be various problems. But all I can do is to do my best." Since she became a member of Diet, there has been critical voices saying that she neglects her work. "I have been distressed over this. But I will work it out."
Since she trains in the early mornings and again at nights, her sleeping time is only three to four hours. Even so, she has decreased her volume of exercise. Smiling, she said "It's time to change quantity into quality given my age."
She was asked about whether she would try for an 8th Olympic games in Sydney 2000, she answered "I want to keep up my involvement in sport. I have no idea of retirement."
The record of 1:03.693 is the best ever at a Japanese professional championship. He has used his ability in sports to be strong in several sports including, wrestling in elementary and junior high school, and cycling since he entered Toride Ichi high school. His talent which saw him win the Inter High School Games and National Sports Games, flowered in these championships.
"I worried whether I would beat Kamiyama (who was the top ranked Keirin racer on the money list this year) till the end. About Olympics? I have no actual feeling yet."
Hideto Matsumoto, Reinforcement Chairperson of Japan Cycling Federation, who once was a Keirin racer, said "Jumonji has enough power to burst, though he is still rough. This race (1000m TT) is most close to medals in this sport. His activity might help Keirin proceeds from its bottom." The first racer from Keirin carries such weight on his back.
Women's sprint final
Seiko Hashimoto (SHI) beat Mayumi Kadowaki (MIYATA)
2(13.488 and 13.507)-1(13.100)
Women's 3000m individual persuit
1. Seiko Hashimoto (SHI) 3:57.752
2. Ogishima (Artnature) 4:08.454
3. Matsui (Yamagata Dempa induatrial high school)
4:13.871
Men's 1000m TT
1. Takanobu Jumonji (from Ibaragi pref.) 1:03.963
2. Kamiyama (Tochigi) 1:05.029
3. Shiobara (Otsuka drug industry) 1:06.176
Racer: Masahiro YASUHARA for men's 40000m point race 33 years old. belonged to INOAC-DEKI. Fuse induatrial high school graduated. from Osaka pref. 1995 Asia championship 1st. 1995 Atlanta International Invitation 6th. 171cm tall, 70kg in weight. Seiko HASHIMOTO for women's sprint and 3000m individual pursuit 31 years old. belonged to SHI. Komadai Tomakomai high school graduated. from Hokkaido pref. 1995 World championships in sprint 30th. 1995 World championships in 3000m I.P. 18th. 156cm 55kg. Takanobu JUMONJI for men's 1000m TT 20 years old. Keirin racer at Ibaragi. Toride Ichi high school graduated. from Chiba pref. '96 World Cup at Cuba 6th. 177cm 77kg.