YOKOHAMA (Kyodo) Swedish triathlete Lisa Norden powered to victory in the women's event to win the gold medal at ITU World Championship Series leg in Yokohama on Saturday.
Norden made her charge for the finish line with about 300 meters to go in the 10-km run and came home ahead of New Zealand's Andrea Hewitt in 1 hour, 55 minutes, 55 seconds.
Hewitt placed four seconds back while Juri Ide was third in 1:56:02 and Kiyomi Niwata was sixth in 1:56:30.
"I wanted to step up today and I showed I have the ability to be on the top of the podium," said Norden. "When I started the season I didn't intend to be a contender. I'm extremely happy to be having the season I am."
Ide, who finished fifth at the Beijing Olympics, caught up with the leading pack in the 40-km bike race and also put in a gritty performance in the 10-km run before Norden pulled away for victory.