Long-distance road specialist Naoko Sakamoto outdueled world bronze medalist Masako Chiba and cruised to her first career victory at the Osaka International Women's Marathon on Sunday.
The 23-year-old Sakamoto, who was competing in only her third full marathon, crossed the finish line at Nagai Stadium in Osaka in 2 hours, 25 minutes, 29 seconds while Chiba clocked 2:27:38. Hiromi Ominami took third in 2:27:40.