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Asics Takes Product Personalisation To Next Level At Meta : Time : Trials - Launching The Evolved Metaspeed(TM) + Series Optimised To Continue Quest To Unlock Fastest Ever Times

LONDON, April 27, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

ASICS is today announcing the latest updates to its record breaking

METASPEED(TM) series as they take the performance of their product

personalization to the next level.

Building on the breakthrough success of the first METASPEED(TM) shoes introduced

in 2021, ASICS has utilized data accumulated through its elite athletes in

competition to refine the product design to cater for the two major running

styles allowing every runner to perform at their personal best and record their

fastest times yet. Introducing the METASPEED(TM) EDGE+ and the METASPEED(TM)

SKY+ shoes.

METASPEED(TM) + SERIES - ATHLETE INSIGHT TAKES PERSONALIZATION TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Since its launch, METASPEED(TM) shoes have has helped elite runners win medals

at international competitions, including gold medals at both men's and women's

triathlon at Tokyo2020, and achieved over 200 Personal Bests, and counting.

The unique design of the METASPEED(TM) SKY+ model for stride runners and the

METASPEED(TM) EDGE+ model for those with a cadence style continues to center on

a crucial insight by scientists at the ASICS Institute of Sport Science (ISS):

Athletes perform better when running in shoes that are optimized for their

running style. Therefore, ASICS has again created two models so everyone will

have the opportunity to run faster.

Both models now feature increased volumes of the FF BLAST(TM) TURBO foam and

more targeted placement of the product's carbon plates to ensure that runners

can increase their stride length and build increased speed in a way that is

natural to their running style.

The sports scientists at the ISS were able to measure that these product

advancements provided elite athletes with shoes more suited to the two major

running styles and as a result this improved performance. Initial tests already

showed that the METASPEED(TM) SKY+ and EDGE+ increased the running economy by

more than 2% compared to ASICS' traditional racing models1, giving all runners

the opportunity to run their fastest times yet.

METASPEED(TM) SKY+

The METASPEED(TM) SKY+ racing shoe is designed to help runners go faster by

extending their stride length considerably. Thanks to an energetic FF BLAST

TURBO foam and a propulsive carbon plate precisely placed to gain more

bounce-back, runners wearing these shoes can conserve more energy while

maintaining their pace at the later stages of the race.

METASPEED(TM) SKY+ shoe is available from 14 June 2022.

METASPEED(TM) EDGE+

The METASPEED(TM) EDGE+ racing shoe is designed to help cadence-type runners go

faster by extending their stride length while allowing them to control cadence

more easily. Runners wearing these shoes can experience a fast underfoot feel,

thanks to the energetic midsole foam and a propulsive carbon plate appropriately

placed for more efficient gait motion enabling them to elongate their stride and

conserve energy while controlling their running tempo.

METASPEED(TM) EDGE+ shoe is available from 14 June 2022.

The METASPEED(TM) + series has been developed and tested alongside some of the

world's top athletes. Eilish McColgan tested an early prototype at the 2022 Ras

Al Khaimah Half Marathon and set a personal best and British record of one hour,

six minutes and 26 seconds, improving the previous record by 21 seconds.

Athletes such as Julien Wanders and Mekdes Woldu, have also achieved PBs wearing

the prototypes and will be looking for further success at the META : Time :

Trials.

META : Time : Trials - New Times Await

The METASPEED(TM) + models were unveiled at ASICS' META : Time : Trials

[https://www.asics.com/gb/en-gb/mk/speed-series?asics-orig-path=%2fgeo%2fmk%2fspeed-series] - a milestone event in the history of ASICS in Malaga, Spain. Inspired by the Tour

de France time trials, the World Athletics certified META : Time : Trials

challenged ASICS' elite athletes to push each other to run their fastest ever

times across a series of race distances. The event offered an optimal product

proofing opportunity for the new models.

President, CEO and COO, Representative Director of ASICS, Yasuhito Hirota said:

"At ASICS we are driven by our founding principle: we want to help everyone

achieve a sound mind in a sound body through sport. At the heart of this

philosophy is an unwavering belief in the power of human-centric design to

create products that deliver the perfect balance of peak performance and

protection for every kind of athlete. This is highlighted by the METASPEED(TM) +

where our access to a breadth of elite data and the success of our debut product

in international competition has amplified our commitment to continued product

development. As a result, we have taken product personalization to the next

level to continue our quest to help athletes break more personal bests in 2022.

This year's META: Time : Trials and launch of the METASPEED(TM) + series

reiterates our continued commitment to provide elite athletes with the platform

to achieve their potential, while maintaining ASICS' position as a pioneer of

innovation in the running sector."

NOTES FOR EDITOR

1Results based on tests conducted by a 3rd party on Feb. 2021 and Mar. 2022.

Anima Sana In Corpore Sano, meaning "A Sound Mind in a Sound Body," is an old

Latin phrase from which ASICS is derived and the fundamental platform on which

the brand still stands. The company was founded more than 60 years ago by

Kihachiro Onitsuka and is now a leading designer and manufacturer of running

shoes, as well as, other athletic footwear, apparel and accessories. For more

information, visit www.asics.com.

The stripe design featured on the sides of the ASICS(R) shoes is a registered

trademark of ASICS Corporation.

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SOURCE: ASICS