Shigetomo wins Osaka women`s marathon

Osaka: Japan`s Risa Shigetomo boosted her chances of going to the London Olympics by winning the Osaka International Women`s Marathon on Sunday.

Shigetomo pulled away at about the 16-mike mark and crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 23 minutes and 23 seconds for her first marathon victory. Ukrainian Tetiana Gamera-Shmyrko was second, 1:23 behind, while Japan`s Azusa Nojiri was third in 2:24:57. The Osaka race is the second of three domestic qualifiers for three spots on Japan`s team for London. The final Olympic qualifier will be in Nagoya on March 11. Bureau Report