TOKYO, 17 November 2003 — Olympic champion Naoko Takahashi suffered her first defeat since 1998 when she failed to respond to a late surge from Ethiopian Elfenesh Alemu at the Tokyo international women’s marathon yesterday.
Grimacing with effort in her first competitive race in over a year, the Japanese was caught by Alemu at the 39-km mark in stamina-sapping conditions.
Alemu, who had battled back superbly after being left behind at the halfway point, sped away to cross the line in two hours 24 minutes 47 seconds.
Takahashi, 31, struggled on to finish in a disappointing time of 2:27.21. “My legs went at around 28 km,” said Takahashi, the first woman to break 2:20 at the 2001 Berlin Marathon.
“I went out fast, which is my style, but obviously I didn’t have the stamina at the end.” Takahashi, who had not raced since retaining her Berlin title in September 2002, looked supremely comfortable until the 30-km mark.
She still led Alemu by 58 seconds through 35 km but the 24-degree C heat and high humidity began to take their toll.
Alemu, sixth behind gold medalist Takahashi at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, steadily closed the gap and took the lead with just over three km left.
“It was a tough race and she went off so quickly at the start,” said the 28-year-old Alemu.
Takahashi, beaten after six consecutive victories, said: “I just ran out of energy.”
Coach Yoshio Koide blamed her for ignoring his advice on dietary matters since arriving from their Colorado training camp.
“I take full responsibility but since we came to Japan she has been eating whatever she wants,” he said.
Working as an analyst for Japanese television, world record holder Paula Radcliffe said: “She attacked the race very positively at the start and looked strong until the last five km.
“But the wind and the heat made it difficult today. I would love to be able to race against the defending Olympic champion in Athens.”
