TOKYO, Japan, May 16, 2025 – Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda) today announced that Naoki Koyama, a member of the Honda Running Team, has been named to represent Japan in the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 (WCH Tokyo 25) men's marathon, to be held in Tokyo from Sept. 13-21, 2025. This will be the first time for Koyama to participate in the World Athletics Championships. 

Last year, Koyama took part for the first time in the world's most prestigious international marathon race. Facing a formidable challenge posed by the world’s top runners, he finished the race with an unsatisfactory result; however, by harnessing his disappointment as a source of high motivation, Koyama has been training relentlessly every day in pursuit of a return to the world stage. Being selected to represent Japan, Koyama will take on a new challenge in the WCH Tokyo 25 with a renewed determination.  

The WCH Tokyo 25 men’s marathon race will be held on September 15, 2025 (Japan time), on a course winding through the city of Tokyo, starting and finishing at the National Stadium, the main venue of the WCH Tokyo 25. 

As an official partner of the WCH Tokyo 25, Honda will provide the official vehicles of the event, including the lead vehicles for marathon races. By providing its fleet of electrified vehicles and other support, Honda will contribute to the sustainability objectives of WCH Tokyo 25.

Based on the Honda vision for its sports activities – “To increase the number of people who take on challenges through sports activities and make the lives of all people more enjoyable” – Honda will continue to support various athletes who take on challenges toward the realization of their own dreams.

“We are very pleased and proud that one of our team members will represent Japan at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25, the third consecutive World Athletics Championships in which our athletes compete. Koyama will take on the challenge in a global sporting event for the second consecutive year, following the Olympic Games Paris 2024. I hope he will leverage his serious nature and race adaptability as strengths to fight tenaciously on this world stage. In order to embody the Honda Challenging Spirit at the pinnacle of a global athletics competition, we will help him prepare for his race with passion and determination. We greatly appreciate your continued support and cheers.” 

“It had been my dream since childhood to become a member of the Japan national team. I am truly excited and honored to compete on the world stage once again, following the Olympic Games Paris 2024, to represent Japan, this time at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25, which will be held in my home country. Moreover, as a Honda associate, I feel a special sense of joy and excitement to be able to run in a marathon led by Honda vehicles. I will continue to prepare myself with full commitment as I take on the challenge of competing against the world’s top runners.”  

“Honda Signs Sponsorship Agreement to Provide Electrified Vehicles at World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25”
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