News coverage suggesting Nike Inc.'s acclaimed running shoes may be banned from competition by World Athletics might displease elite athletes, but could be good news for rival Japanese footwear-makers.

Shares in sneaker-maker Asics Corp. surged as much as 8 percent Thursday, after The Times and others reported that World Athletics was considering a ban on Nike's Vaporfly shoes in professional competition. Mizuno Corp., another maker of running equipment, rose as much as 1.6 percent.

Nike's Vaporfly Next% sneakers have been hailed as a "supershoe," and have helped elite runners shatter records since their release. Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge ran the first marathon completed in under two hours while wearing the shoes, and Brigid Kosgei used them to break the women's marathon record.