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Japan Triathlete Hojo Wins First Gold of Asian Games

Hojo finished in 52:56 and beat China’s Zhang Xirui by 9 seconds as Japan opened the Games with its first gold medal.

  • Takumi Hojo secured Japan's first gold medal of the Asian Games on Sunday in the men's triathlon at Gamagori City Triathlon Venue in Nagoya, giving the host nation a perfect start to the competition.
  • Defending the title won by compatriot Kenji Nener in Hangzhou three years ago, Hojo completed the 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike ride, and 5,000-meter run in 52 minutes, 56 seconds.
  • China's Zhang Xirui claimed silver after staying neck-and-neck with Hojo during the final 5,000-meter run, while Arlan Zhanabay of Kazakhstan took bronze, crossing in 53 minutes.
  • Hojo's victory qualifies him for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. "I'm very proud because I'm only 20," the 30-year-old said of his first Asian Games medal.
  • Zhang Xirui said, "I am very happy, although disappointed to be behind Japan," as the Japanese team prepares to carry momentum into upcoming relay events.
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(Nagoya = Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Dae-ho = The winner of the first gold medal at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games has been determined to be Takumi Hojo of host country Japan.

·Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
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The Japan Times broke the news in Chiyoda, Japan on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
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