JAKARTA -- Yuko Takahashi won gold in the women's triathlon on Friday at the ongoing Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia.
Japan's medal haul through Thursday reached 174, including 59 gold, continuing to build on its largest number of gold medals since capturing 64 when the country hosted the Asian Games in Hiroshima Prefecture in 1994.
Japanese judoka contributed to the medal haul by collecting four golds across five events held Thursday. Japan also added gold by winning the men's 4x100-meter relay, while Eiya Hashimoto sealed an Asian Games title on the cycling track in men's omnium.
Takahashi led nearly wire to wire in winning the triathlon, which consists of a 1.5-kilometer swim, a 40-kilometer cycling course and ends with a 10-kilometer run.
Takahashi finished the grueling event in 1 hour 59 minutes 29 seconds, far ahead (1:47) of China's Zhong Mengying.
Takahashi moved to the front during the swimming portion, and fought off all comers until reaching the finish line.
"My plan for the race was to be aggressive from the swimming section," Takahashi said. "I'm elated to be able to represent Japan and win."
Ono leads judo gold rush
The gold medal match in the men's 73-kilogram class in judo lasted more than 11 minutes as Japan's Shohei Ono -- who won the gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics -- and An Changrim of South Korea -- who earned the bronze medal at last year's world championships -- battled into extra time.
Ono eventually prevailed with a waza-ari, using his go-to uchimata throwing technique, to seize the title.
"I knew that I had done more training, and that the quality of my training was above [what An did]," Ono said. "I was even prepared to battle 10 minutes or 20 more minutes."
The competition for a spot on the Japanese team to take part in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is intense, and Ono said this performance has given him a lift.
"I was able to win in a high-pressure situation in which I was expected to win, and the victory has been a boost to my mental toughness."
In the women's 57-kilogram class final, Momo Tamaoki defeated Kim Jin A of North Korea, while Nami Nabekura won the gold in the women's 63-kilogram division.
Saki Niizoe won the gold in the women's 70-kilogram division.
Winning by a wide margin
In the men's 4x100 relay, Japan dashed to Asian Games gold for the first time in 20 years.
Anchor Aska Cambridge capped Japan's 38.16-second run by sprinting across the finish line alone, 0.61 seconds ahead of runner-up Indonesia, which drew a shower of wild cheers from the local supporters in the stands.
Because Japan's sprinters took home the silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, the aim is to step up their game and win at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Yoshihide Kiryu, who holds the national record in the 100 at 9.98 seconds, ran the third leg on Thursday and was clear about his goal two years from now.
"I want to get the gold again, not in the Asian Games, but at the Olympics," Kiryu said.
Hashimoto, who won his second consecutive title in cycling track omnium, has also set his goals high for the 2020 Games.
"By winning a medal at the Tokyo Olympics, I want to promote the popularity of cycling races as a whole," Hashimoto said.
Esports debut at Games
Meanwhile, esports, a competition for electronic gamers, is making its debut as a demonstration sport at the Asian Games.
Six games, including "Arena of Valor," "Clash Royale," and "League of Legends," are ongoing through Saturday, with 135 players from 18 countries and regions entering in the six-day program.
The Hearthstone competition, an online card game, was held Friday and Japan's Tetsuro Akasaka, known as a player under the name Tredsred, was among the field of eight.
On a large screen on stage at the venue, Akasaka and his opponent, Tirth Mehta of India, known as gcttirth, sat at either side and battled. "I lost because I made some terrible mistakes," Akasaka lamented after a 3-2 loss.
Akasaka, 23, who has been playing Hearthstone for about four years, said, "I am glad that I could play the game at a large-scale event like the Asian Games."
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
