With the status of Kitaguchi’s elbow not entirely clear, Muratake, who is half-Togolese, just might be Japan’s best medal shot at these championships.
Last month, the 23-year-old became the first Japanese to run a sub-13, cutting a 12.92 at a domestic meet. It was the world’s second fastest time this season and the 11th best in history.
In Paris last summer, Muratake placed fifth in the final. Can he bring home Japan’s first hurdles medal in two decades?