Naoko Takahashi

Naoko Takahashi (高橋 尚子, Takahashi Naoko, born May 6, 1972) is a Japanese long-distance runner competing mainly in the marathon. She was born in Gifu.

For the artist and musician, see NaoKo TakaHashi.
Naoko Takahashi

Naoko Takahashi at the 2008 Nagoya Women's International Marathon
Medal record
Women’s Athletics
Representing  Japan
Olympic Games
2000 Sydney Marathon

Biography

She is widely known for her victory in the women's marathon at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, a performance that held the Olympic record until 2012 in London. At the 2001 Berlin Marathon, Takahashi became the first woman to break the 2 hour 20 minute barrier while setting a world record. In the women's marathon event (and not counting multiple records set by the same athlete), she still holds the 7th best time and the 3rd best Japanese marathon performance behind Yoko Shibui (2:19:41) and Mizuki Noguchi (2:19:12). She is related to former Morning Musume leader Hitomi Yoshizawa. She announced her retirement in October 2008.[1]

Following her retirement the Gifu Seiryu Half Marathon was launched in 2011 with the honorary title being the Naoko Takahashi Cup. She serves as the chairwoman for the race.[2]

Achievements
DateEventTimeNote
Jan. 1997Osaka International Women's Marathon2:31:327th place
Mar. 1998Nagoya International Women's Marathon2:25:481st place, Japanese record at the time
Dec. 1998Bangkok Asian Games2:21:47gold medal, Japanese record at the time
Mar. 2000Nagoya International Women's Marathon2:22:191st place
Sep. 2000Sydney Olympics2:23:14gold medal, Olympic record at the time
Feb. 2001OHME Marathon (30 km)1:41:57Japanese record at the time
Sep. 2001Berlin Marathon2:19:461st place, World Record at the time
Sep. 2002Berlin Marathon2:21:491st
Nov. 2003Tokyo International Women's Marathon2:27:212nd
Nov. 2005Tokyo International Women's Marathon2:24:391st
Nov. 2006Tokyo International Women's Marathon2:31:223rd
Mar. 2008Nagoya Marathon2:44:1827th

References
  1. "Sydney marathon champion Takahashi to retire". Agence France-Presse. 2008-10-28. Archived from the original on 2008-12-02. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  2. Race Outline Archived 2013-04-29 at the Wayback Machine. Gifu Marathon. Retrieved on 2013-05-20.
Records
Preceded by
Tegla Loroupe		 Women's Marathon World Record Holder
September 30, 2001 – October 7, 2001		 Succeeded by
Catherine Ndereba
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