London 2012 silver medallist Takaharu Furukawa remains in the race for Tokyo qualification ©World Archery

Japan held the second of three national archery Olympic selection events in Kakegawa City as five men and five women progressed to the next stage amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

Taking place over two days, the second phase event consisted of four rounds with 72 arrows in each.

One of the favourites for selection is Takaharu Furukawa, who won silver at London 2012, while internationals Waka Sonoda and Tomomi Sugimoto were among the many eliminated.

They were joined by Olympic medallist Hiroshi Yamamoto who could not even make it past the first stage.

In the women's event world number four Sugimoto was a shock elimination who could not contend with the windy conditions.

Ren Hayakawa took the lead into the final stage.

The final five men and women who progress to the final stage of selection for Tokyo 2020 ©World Archery
The final five men and women who progress to the final stage of selection for Tokyo 2020 ©World Archery

With three places up for grabs, two further men and women will be eliminated in the final stage which is scheduled for April 11 to 12.

Furukawa leads the men's standings with Hiroki Muto, Hideki Kikuchi, Junya Nakanishi and Yuki Kawata all still in the competition.

In the women's event, Hayakawa leads with Miki Nakamura, Utano Agu, Tomoka Ohashi and Azusa Yamauchi also making the final five.

International archery events have been suspended until the end of April due to the COVID-19 worldwide crisis.

Hayakawa added that the current pandemic leaves athletes at a disadvantage, saying: "Some people in the world cannot practice and I think that's not fair, but we still have to do whatever we can for the upcoming event."

The IOC yesterday announced a four-week window to consider the next steps for Tokyo 2020, and admitted the possibility of a postponement for the first time.