JAKARTA -- Jumpei Furuya won gold in the men's triathlon on Saturday at the Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia.
Furuya's victory followed Japanese bronze medals earlier in the morning in the women's kayak single 200-meter and women's kayak double 500, building on Japan's tally of 189 medals at the end of Friday, including 69 gold.
On Friday, the Japan women's soccer team, known as Nadeshiko Japan, defeated China 1-0 in the gold medal match, while the Japan women's field hockey team won its first ever gold at the Asian Games.
In the men's triathlon, Furuya completed the 1.5 kilometer swim, 40-kilometer cycle and 10-kilometer run in 1 hour 49 minutes and 43 seconds. His victory and Yuko Takahashi's gold in the women's triathlon on Friday marked Japan's third consecutive wins in both the men's and women's triathlons at the Asian Games.
Nadeshiko grabs gold
The Japan women's soccer team won in rainy conditions in Palembang to claim its first Asian Games gold since the 2010 Games held in Guangzhou, China.
China made several shots on target, but failed to put the ball past Nadeshiko goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita. Forward Yuika Sugasawa secured victory for Japan with a header goal toward the end of the match.
Sugasawa said she believed, "there would absolutely be a chance." Shortly after her goal, the referee blew the whistle to end the game.
"I'm not satisfied with the performance of the team," Japan coach Asako Takakura said. "We need to practice to be able to play soccer in the way we hope to."
The women's field hockey victory marked Japan's first gold in the sport at the Asian Games in either the men's or women's competitions. Although Japan is ranked 14th in the world, it defeated 9th-ranked India 2-1.
Japan also won gold in three of the five judo classes with medal matches on Friday.
In the final for the men's 100-kilogram class, Kentaro Iida defeated Cho Gu Ham of South Korea.
"I feel more confident with this victory," Iida said.
"I knew that if I lost here, I wouldn't have a chance to compete in the Tokyo Olympics," he added, acknowledging the fierce competition expected for spots on the Japanese team at the 2020 Games. "[With the victory on Friday], I'm glad that I still have a slight chance."
Akira Sone overpowered South Korea's Kim Min Jeong in the final for the women's over-78-kilogram class.
"[Kim] had done some research because we've battled a few times in the past," Sone said. "I was able to throw her with a technique that I practiced a lot."
"I did all I could do in the bout," said Ruika Sato, winner in the women's 78-kilogram class. "I was so desperate [because I thought] I would never be chosen for the Japanese team if I failed to take advantage of my opportunity."
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