Gold medalist Takahashi Yuko (C) of Japan, silver medalist Lin Xinyu (L) of China and bronze medalist Yang Yifan of China attend the awarding ceremony for the Triathlon Women's Individual at the 19th Asian Games in Chun'an County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
HANGZHOU, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Yuko Takahashi clinched the gold medal in the women's Individual Triathlon Saturday at the Hangzhou Asiad, while China secured a silver and a bronze.
The event covers a grueling distance of 51.5 kilometers, including a 1.5-kilometer swim, a 40-kilometer bike ride, and a 10-kilometer run.
Takahashi maintained a commanding lead throughout the race, ultimately winning with a time of two hours, one minute, and four seconds. China's Lin Xinyu closely trailed Takahashi, finishing only 26 seconds behind, earning the silver medal, while her teammate Yang Yifan claimed the bronze.
The Japanese acknowledged the pressure from other competitors during the race.
"The first half of the race was extremely tough, but I gradually found my rhythm in the latter half," said Yuko Takahashi.
Lin commented on the intense competition, stating, "It was a very nerve-wracking race. My teammate and I formed a small group to chase the leader. We kept closing the gap, and everyone could see that, but the gold medalist was better."
The Triathlon Mixed Relay competition is scheduled to take place on Monday. ■
Takahashi Yuko of Japan competes during the Triathlon Women's Individual match at the 19th Asian Games in Chun'an County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Zhuang)
Takahashi Yuko of Japan competes during the Triathlon Women's Individual match at the 19th Asian Games in Chun'an County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Zhuang)
Lin Xinyu (1st R) of China competes during the Triathlon Women's Individual match at the 19th Asian Games in Chun'an County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Zhuang)
Lin Xinyu of China competes during the Triathlon Women's Individual match at the 19th Asian Games in Chun'an County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Zhuang)
Athletes set out during the Triathlon Women's Individual match at the 19th Asian Games in Chun'an County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Zhuang)
Lin Xinyu (L), Yang Yifan (C) of China and Bailee Briana Brown of China's Hong Kong compete during the Triathlon Women's Individual match at the 19th Asian Games in Chun'an County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Zhuang)
Takahashi Yuko of Japan competes during the Triathlon Women's Individual match at the 19th Asian Games in Chun'an County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Zhuang)
Takahashi Yuko of Japan competes during the Triathlon Women's Individual match at the 19th Asian Games in Chun'an County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Zhuang)
Yang Yifan of China competes during the Triathlon Women's Individual match at the 19th Asian Games in Chun'an County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Zhuang)
Lin Xinyu of China competes during the Triathlon Women's Individual match at the 19th Asian Games in Chun'an County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Zhuang)
Yang Yifan of China competes during the Triathlon Women's Individual match at the 19th Asian Games in Chun'an County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Zhuang)
Sato Yuka of Japan competes during the Triathlon Women's Individual match at the 19th Asian Games in Chun'an County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Zhuang)
Lin Xinyu of China competes during the Triathlon Women's Individual match at the 19th Asian Games in Chun'an County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Zhuang)
Bailee Briana Brown of China's Hong Kong during the Triathlon Women's Individual match at the 19th Asian Games in Chun'an County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Zhuang)
Yang Yifan (front) of China competes during the Triathlon Women's Individual match at the 19th Asian Games in Chun'an County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Zhuang)
Takahashi Yuko of Japan competes during the Triathlon Women's Individual match at the 19th Asian Games in Chun'an County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Lin Xinyu of China competes during the Triathlon Women's Individual match at the 19th Asian Games in Chun'an County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
