Erano in 5'000 in attesa giovedì mattina alle 6.00 davanti al portone del tempio di Nishinomiya, nella prefettura di Hyogo, per contendersi il titolo di "uomo più fortunato" del Giappone per il 2019. All'apertura, si sono lanciati di corsa verso la sala principale, distante 230 metri. Secondo la tradizione vecchia di secoli, il successo negli affari è garantito ai primi tre classificati.
A spuntarla è stato Yuki Yamamoto, 22enne pompiere della prefettura di Hiroshima, che si è detto "molto felice" e spera di avere "molta fortuna per poter aiutare gli altri".
La corsa nel tempio dedicato al dio della prosperità Ebisu si disputa ogni 10 gennaio ed è facile immaginare come, vista la breve durata, fondamentale sia una posizione di partenza favorevole. Proprio qui entra in gioco la fortuna, perché è la sorte, tramite una lotteria, ad assegnare i concorrenti al gruppo di testa piuttosto che a un altro.
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