Japan''s Shibui wins Osaka marathon

OSAKA: Japan''s Yoko Shibui won the Osaka international women''s marathon on Sunday, eight years after claiming her debut marathon victory in the race.

The 29-year-old moved up a gear shortly before the 29-kilometre (18-mile) mark and steadily outpaced the last challenger, fellow Japanese runner Yukiko Akaba, to cross the finishing line in two hours, 23 minutes and 42 seconds. Akaba came in second, 58 seconds behind, followed by 2007 champion Yumiko Hara, also of Japan, in third place with 2:26:57. Sydney Olympic silver medalist and three-time Osaka champion Lidia Simon of Romania was fifth in 2:27:14.