 Naoko Takahashi at the 2008 Nagoya Women's International Marathon | ||
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Women'sAthletics | ||
Representing Japan | ||
| Olympic Games | ||
 | 2000 Sydney | Marathon |
| Asian Games | ||
| 1998 Bangkok | Marathon |
Naoko Takahashi (高橋 尚子,Takahashi Naoko, born May 6, 1972) is a retiredJapaneselong-distance runner andOlympicgold medal-winningmarathoner. She won the gold medal in the marathon at the2000 Sydney Olympics, and at the2001 Berlin Marathon she became the first woman to complete a marathon in under 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Takahashi was born inGifu,Gifu Prefecture on May 6, 1972, the eldest daughter of educator Yoshiaki Takahashi and his wife Shigeko.[1] Her father was a kindergarten principal.[2] She is a second cousin-niece of chemist andNobel Prize laureateHideki Shirakawa.[1]
Takahashi started running track in junior high school, and placed second in the 1500 meter and third in the 3000 meter races at the Japanese national collegiate championships while attendingOsaka Gakuin University. Following graduation, she sought out the prominent distance running coachYoshio Koide (coach) [ja] and began training under him.[3] She supplemented her training regimen in Japan withaltitude training inColorado.[4][5]
Takahashi competed in the finals of the 1997 World Championships 5000 meter race inAthens, where she finished in 13th place.[6]
In March 1998,[7] running in her second marathon, Takahashi set a Japanese women's record of 2:25:48 at theNagoya Women's Marathon.[3] Two months later, she won the 5000 meter race in the Osaka Japan Grand Prix with a time of 15:21.[6]
Later in December of that same year, Takahashi set a new Japanese women's marathon record when she won the Asian Games marathon inBangkok with a time of 2:21:47 under very warm conditions.[3] She finished more than 13 minutes ahead of the second place finisher.[8]
In March 2000, Takahashi earned a spot on Japan's Olympic women's marathon team after winning the Nagoya Women's Marathon in a time of 2:22:19.[3] She went on to win thewomen's marathon at the 2000 Olympic Games inSydney, with an Olympic record time of 2:23:14. It remained the fastest women's Olympic marathon until2012 in London. Following her gold medal victory, Takahashi received the 2000AIMS Best Marathon Runner Award as well as Japan'sPeople's Honour Award.
At the2001 Berlin Marathon, Takahashi became the first woman to break the 2 hour 20 minute barrier, finishing in a world record time of 2:19:46 and more than eight minutes ahead of the second place finisher, the previous world record holderTegla Loroupe.[9][10] The following year, Takahashi won the2002 Berlin Marathon with a time of 2:21:49.[11]
During her running career, Takahashi suffered from a series of injuries. She announced her retirement in October 2008.[12]
TheGifu Seiryu Half Marathon was launched in 2011 with the honorary title being the Naoko Takahashi Cup. Takahashi serves as the chairwoman for the race.[13]
Since her retirement from competitive running, Takahashi has also worked as a sportscaster,[14] marathon commentator,[15] served as aJapanese Olympic Committee (JOC) executive,[citation needed] and served as an executive member of theJapan Association of Athletics Federations (JAAF).[15]
Takahashi is related to formerMorning Musume leaderHitomi Yoshizawa.
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Representing Japan | |||||
| January 1997 | Osaka Women's Marathon | Osaka, Japan | 7th | Marathon | 2:31:32 |
| March 1997 | Matsue Half Marathon | Matsue, Japan | 1st | Half Marathon | 1:10:35 |
| March 1998 | Nagoya Marathon | Nagoya, Japan | 1st | Marathon | 2:25:48 |
| December 1998 | Asian Games marathon | Bangkok, Thailand | 1st | Marathon | 2:21:47 |
| May 1999 | Kurobe Half Marathon, Kurobe | Kurobe, Japan | 1st | Half Marathon | 1:10:58 |
| January 2000 | Chiba Half Marathon | Chiba, Japan | 1st | Half Marathon | 1:08:55 |
| March 2000 | Nagoya Marathon | Nagoya, Japan | 1st | Marathon | 2:22:19 |
| July 2000 | Sapporo Half Marathon | Sapporo, Japan | 1st | Half Marathon | 1:09:10 |
| September 2000 | Sydney Olympics Marathon | Sydney, Australia | 1st | Marathon | 2:23:14 |
| February 2001 | Tokyo Ohme-Hochi 30 km | Tokyo, Japan | 1st | 30,000 m | 1:41:57 |
| September 2001 | Berlin Marathon | Berlin, Germany | 1st | Marathon | 2:19:46WR |
| September 2002 | Berlin Marathon | Berlin, Germany | 1st | Marathon | 2:21:49 |
| November 2003 | Tokyo Marathon | Tokyo, Japan | 2nd | Marathon | 2:27:21 |
| November 2005 | Tokyo Marathon | Tokyo, Japan | 1st | Marathon | 2:24:39 |
| November 2006 | Tokyo Marathon | Tokyo, Japan | 3rd | Marathon | 2:32:22 |
| March 2008 | Nagoya Marathon | Nagoya, Japan | 27th | Marathon | 2:44:18 |
| March 2009 | Nagoya Marathon | Nagoya, Japan | 29th | Marathon | 2:52:23 |
| Records | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Women's Marathon World Record Holder 30 September 2001 – 7 October 2001 | Succeeded by |
| National | |
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| Academics | |
| People | |
