Athletics | Running

Risa Shigetomo © Reuters

Shigetomo wins Osaka marathon



Japan's Risa Shigetomo boosted her chances of going to the London Olympics by winning the Osaka women's marathon on Sunday.

Shigetomo pulled away at the 26-kilometre mark and crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 23 minutes and 23 seconds for her first marathon victory.

Ukrainian Tetiana Gamera-Shmyrko was second, a minute and 23 seconds behind, while Japan's Azusa Nojiri was third in 2:24:57.

The Osaka race is the second of three domestic qualifiers for three spots on Japan's team for London. The final Olympic qualifier will be in Nagoya on March 11.



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