Naoko Takahashi

is a Japanese athlete.  She is best known as a long-distance runner competing mainly in the marathon.

In 2008, she retired from racing."Sydney marathon champion Takahashi to retire,"  Agence France-Presse (AFP). 28 October 2008; retrieved 2012-7-20.

Early life
Takahashi was not a successful runner in high school.  She improved after she graduated from college.International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), 
 "Takahashi, Marathon barrier-breaker, announces retirement,"  29 October 2008; retrieved 2012-7-20.

International competitions
Timeline
 1997: 5000m World Championships, 13th
 1997: Osaka International Women's Marathon, 7th place
 1998: Nagoya International Women's Marathon, 1st place, Japanese record at the timeSports Reference.com (SR/Olympics), "Naoko Takahashi" ; retrieved 2012-7-20.
 1998: Bangkok Asian Games, gold medal, Japanese record at the time
 2000: Nagoya International Women's Marathon, 1st place
 2000: Sydney Olympics, gold medal, current Olympic record
 2001: OHME Marathon (30 km), Japanese record at the time
 2001: Berlin Marathon, 1st place, World Record at the time
 2002: Berlin Marathon, 1st
 2003: Tokyo International Women's Marathon, 2nd
 2005: Tokyo International Women's Marathon, 1st
 2006: Tokyo International Women's Marathon, 3rd
 2008: Nagoya Marathon, 27th

Related pages 
 Sports in Japan
 Japan at the Olympics

References

Other websites

  Takahashi Naoko at IAAF

Category:1972 births
Category:Living people
Category:Olympic gold medalists for Japan