Founded by brothers Rihachi and Rizo, Mizuno started life in Osaka, producing basebell wear in an effort to promote interest in the brothers' favourite American sport. Subsequent iterations of the company saw them producing gliders (I know, talk about brand extension) and tennis rackets. The introduction of the M-Line shoes in 1972 and the 1981 release of their Runbird model cemented their reputation in the Japanese sports shoe market. A reputation which continues today. For women we're focussing on the ML87 (a reproduction of the “AIR MEDAL SX” running shoe which first hit the market in 1987) and the Wave Rider (a proper running shoe for everyone from recent adopters and enthusiastic marathon eventers).