Takahashi, Naoko (1972–)

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Takahashi, Naoko (1972–)

Japanese marathon runner. Born May 6, 1972, in Gifu, Japan.

Won Japanese nationals and Asian Games (1998); won a gold medal for the marathon at Sydney Olympics (2000); at Berlin marathon, placed 1st with a time of 2:19.46, breaking the previous best time by 57 seconds and becoming the 1st woman to break the elusive 2:20 barrier (Sept 30, 2001); subject of a comic strip in Japan called "Kazekko" (daughter of the wind).