Former national record holder Suguru Osako was the highest-placed Japanese in fifth at the New York City Marathon on Sunday, capping a successful return to racing following his retirement after the Tokyo Olympics.
The 31-year-old, who announced he was making a comeback in February, was eighth at the 30-kilometer mark before climbing five places in the closing stages to cross the finish line in 2 hours, 11 minutes and 31 seconds.
Tetsuya Yoroizaka followed him home in sixth, clocking 2:12:12.
Evans Chebet of Kenya won in 2:08:41, 13 seconds ahead of runner-up Shura Kitata of Ethiopia. Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands was third.
"It was really good as the first race after the comeback," Osako said after the race, which was run in warmer-than-usual temperatures of above 20 degrees Celsius.
"It was positive I could solidly hang in there in a course with a difficult second half."
Osako has had a unique career path that saw him depart the Japan long-distance scene in March of 2015 by quitting his job and moving to the United States to compete as a pro.
He represented Japan over 5,000 and 10,000 meters at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics before shifting his focus to the marathon in 2017 and setting what were then national records in 2018 and 2020.
"I can aim for top threes and titles if I can keep myself in this position," said Osako, who is eying a spot in the marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics.