Maki Tabata gave Japan its first gold medal of the Winter Asian Games when she cruised to victory in the women's 3,000 and Takahiro Nozaki completed a golden double for the host country on the first day of the speedskating competition Sunday.

National all-around champion Tabata clocked 4 minutes, 29.58 seconds at Nagane Park Speed Skating Rink to finish almost two seconds clear of South Korean Back Eun Bi, who timed 4:31.41.

"I was hoping to go under 4:20 or at least better my time (4:23.90) at the National Championships," said Tabata, Japanese record holder in the 1,500, 3,000 and 5,000 meters. "But I've won Japan's first gold medal and hopefully our other athletes can follow through with more."

Japan's Eriko Ishino, silver medalist at last year's World Junior Championships, won the bronze in 4:34.13 but there was heartbreak for Nami Nemoto, who took a tumble midway through her race and finished last.