JAKARTA -- Japan added three more gold medals with wins on Wednesday in skateboarding, an event added to the Olympic program for the 2020 Tokyo Games, while earning a silver in the men's race walk at the Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang in southern Sumatra island.
Japan closed out Tuesday with 142 total medals after earning a bronze in men's 110-meter hurdles and another bronze in men's synchronized 3-meter springboard. The women's soccer team, known as Nadeshiko Japan, also advanced to Friday's final.
Sakura Yosozumi, 16, won gold in the women's park in skateboarding, collecting 66.66 points, followed by compatriot Kaya Isa, 17, who had 58.33 points.
"I am thrilled I was able to win as a member of the Japanese delegation," said Yosozumi, a second-year high school student in Wakayama Prefecture. "I am grateful to be able to experience competing with such loud cheers from the crowd."
Kensuke Sasaoka also won gold in men's park, while Keyaki Ike won in men's street.
Yamanishi walks to silver
Toshikazu Yamanishi took the silver medal in the men's 20-kilometer race walk, finishing in 1 hour 22 minutes 10 seconds, just 6 seconds behind winner Wang Kaihua of China.
"I feel so disappointed because I came here to win," Yamanishi said.
Wang put on a spurt at around 500 meters before the finish line, and Yamanashi was unable to keep pace. "My minimal goal was to win the race," Yamanashi said, adding, "I have many challenges to overcome."
In the women's 20-kilometer race walk, Kumiko Okada finished third in 1:34:02.
Japan also had a strong showing on Tuesday. In the men's 110 hurdles, Shunya Takayama won bronze by clocking in 13.48 seconds, 0.14 seconds behind China's Xie Wenjun.
"I could run the race at the level I expected," Takayama said.
In diving, the Japanese pair of Sho Sakai and Ken Terauchi won bronze in the men's synchronized 3-meter springboard with 408.57 points. The Chinese pair of Cao Yuan and Xie Siyi won gold with 479.52 points.
When asked about the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Terauchi replied, "Until I surpass the 420-point mark, I should not even discuss Olympic medals."
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