Japan’s Takumi Hojo Clinches First Gold of Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games

Japan’s Takumi Hojo gave the host nation a dream start on Sunday by securing the first gold medal of the Asian Games in the men’s individual triathlon.

Hojo completed the 750-metre swim, 20-kilometre cycling leg and 5-kilometre run in 52 minutes 56 seconds, finishing nine seconds ahead of China’s Zhang Xirui, who took silver. Kazakhstan’s Arlan Zhanabay claimed bronze, crossing the line another six seconds later.

“Winning the first gold has given the Japanese team a real boost,” said the 30-year-old Hojo, whose victory also earns him qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“I was really fired up. The rain stayed away and I felt in top form all the way until the start,” Hojo said. He also won last year’s Asian Games test event on the same course in Gamagori.

Zhang stayed close to Hojo throughout much of the final 5km run but ultimately had to settle for silver.

“I am very happy, although I am disappointed to finish behind Japan. It is an honour for China,” Zhang said.

Zhanabay, 20, was equally pleased with his bronze medal, his first at the Asian Games.

“I’m very satisfied with the result. Of course, I wanted to win, but we have what we have. I’m very proud because I’m only 20 and this is my first Asian Games medal,” he said.

China responded strongly in the women’s individual triathlon, with Lin Xinyu improving on her silver medal from the Hangzhou Asian Games to claim gold in 57 minutes 37 seconds.

Her compatriot Huang Anqi finished second, 21 seconds behind, while Japan’s Manami Hayashi secured bronze in 58 minutes 36 seconds.