Famous University Ekiden Team Makes Surprise Announcement
Listen to the story
A famous Japanese university ekiden team has surprised fans with a sudden announcement.
The team is well known for its maroon uniform and its strong history in ekiden, a long-distance relay running event popular across Japan.
The announcement was made about one month before the Izumo Ekiden, one of the major university ekiden races held each year in Japan.
According to reports, the news was unexpected, and many fans reacted with shock online.
One fan wrote that they were surprised something like this had never happened before.
The exact details of the announcement have not been widely explained in early reports.
Still, the news has caused a strong reaction among ekiden fans, who follow the sport closely.
This team is considered one of the traditional powerhouses of university ekiden competition.
Fans often pay close attention to any changes involving well-known teams before big races.
The Izumo Ekiden is an important event that many runners and schools prepare for months in advance.
Because the announcement came so close to the race, it drew even more attention.
Many people online shared their surprise and asked for more information about what happened.
As the race approaches, fans are expected to keep discussing the sudden news.
More details may be shared by the team or organizers in the coming weeks.
Vocabulary11 words
- ekiden
- a long relay race with running, popular in Japan
- maroon
- a dark red-brown color
- Izumo Ekiden
- a famous university relay race held in Japan
- announcement
- official news told to the public
- unexpected
- something that surprises people because they did not think it would happen
- reacted
- responded to something with feelings or words
- powerhouse
- a team that is usually very strong or successful
- attention
- when people notice and focus on something
- organizers
- people who plan and manage an event
- details
- small, specific pieces of information
- competition
- an event where people or teams try to win
Quiz
Answer key
1. Its maroon uniform and strong ekiden history 2. About one month before the Izumo Ekiden 3. With shock and surprise
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A famous Japanese university _____ team has surprised fans with a sudden announcement.
The team is well known for its _____ uniform and its strong history in ekiden.
The announcement was made about one month before the _____, one of the major university ekiden races.
According to reports, the news was _____, and many fans reacted with shock online.
One fan wrote that they were surprised something like this had never happened _____.
The exact _____ of the announcement have not been widely explained in early reports.
This team is considered one of the traditional _____ of university ekiden competition.
Because the announcement came so close to the race, it drew even more _____.
Many people online shared their surprise and asked for more _____ about what happened.
More details may be shared by the team or _____ in the coming weeks.