Japan's Akira Akasaki came in sixth place in the Olympic men's marathon in an impressive international debut for his country on Saturday, August 9 in Paris.
The Kumamoto Prefecture native crossed the finish line with a personal-best time of 2 hours, 7 minutes, 32 seconds in the 42.195-km race over a hilly course on a sunny day in the French capital.
Akasaki finished 1 minute, 6 seconds behind winner Tamirat Tola of Ethiopia, who established an Olympic record of 2:06:26 with a fantastic run that saw him break away from the pack at the 28-km mark and cover the final 14 km on his own.
Belgium's Bashir Abdi took the silver medal in 2:06:47, while Kenya's Benson Kipruto, winner of the 2024 Tokyo Marathon in March, got the bronze in 2:07:00.
Britain's Emile Cairess was fourth in 2:07:29, with Ethiopia's Deresa Geleta coming in fifth at 2:07:31.
Tola, who will turn 33 on August 11, became one of just eight men in Olympic history to medal in both the 10,000 meters and the marathon. Tola was the bronze medalist at the 2016 Rio Games.
Tola was a late entrant for the marathon, replacing injured Ethiopian Sisay Lemma.
“I was the reserve in the Ethiopian team, but when Sisay had injuries, then I had a chance to represent him, Tola told Olympics.com.
After the race, he added, "I was fully prepared and knew I could fulfill my dream, [and] I am happy to do that today.
"I am very proud, very happy."
How the Marathon Unfolded
Akasaki was at the front pack of several runners before Tola's breakaway. He then ran just behind a group of three runners (Abdi, Kipruto, Geleta) pursuing Tola for the several km in fifth place before ultimately placing sixth.
The 26-year-old Akasaki made a bit of history of his own in the race, as he became the first man from Kumamoto to compete in the Olympic marathon in 100 years, since Shizo Kanakuri ran in the 1924 Paris Games.
Akasaki is a relative newcomer to marathon, having just made his debut when he finished ninth at the 2022 Beppu Oita Marathon.
"I really had fun. It was great," Akasaki stated. "I am happy. Rather than setting a personal best, just running the marathon. It was the greatest moment I have ever had."
Making Strong Preparations for the Marathon Course
Akasaki said he prepared extensively for the unusual course with hills.
"I have been hill training for three months," Akasaki noted. He added, "I was able to be successful after my training. This is the best moment I ever had."
Akasaki improved his personal best by 1 minute, 30 seconds, but said he had been striving for more.
"My coach was hoping I would improve by 5-6 minutes," Akasaki commented. "I could have had a better time, but this up-and-down course made it tough."
Japanese Marathon Runners Osako, Koyama Place in the Top 15
Suguru Osako was the second Japanese to finish, coming home in 13th (2:09:25), while Naoki Koyama wound up 23rd (2:10:33).
The 33-year-old Osako was running in his second Olympic marathon, having placed sixth at the Tokyo 2020 Games in Sapporo.
"I am not convinced [with my performance], but I am glad I could finish," Osako remarked. "Step by step I tried to overtake other runners down the stretch. I spent energy going uphill, but did my best the rest of the way."
Added Osako, "Akasaki is a good runner. I thought he might be able to get a medal. I was hoping to go with him, but could not keep up."
Looking ahead, Osako said, "I will continue training and may try again in four years. This is not the end for me."
'A Painful Run' for Koyama
Koyama, a 28-year-old from Saitama Prefecture, admitted that the course presented significant challenges for him.
"It was a very long run and tough to continue," Koyama stated. "From 8 km there was already some distance. I tried to hang in there as long as possible. The second half was a painful run. I want to come back to the Olympics again."
Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge, the 39-year-old two-time defending champion in the event, fell back during the contest and did not finish the race.
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Author: Jack Gallagher
The author is a veteran sports journalist and one of the world's foremost figure skating experts. Find articles and podcasts by Jack on his author page, and find him on X (formerly Twitter) @sportsjapan.
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