Search｜Photos & Images & Videos｜KYODO NEWS IMAGES INC

Marathon gold medalist Takahashi starts Aomori-Tokyo relay

AOMORI, Japan - Sydney Olympics women's marathon gold medalist Naoko Takahashi (R) speaks before the start on July 24, 2014, of a more than 1,000-kilometer relay race from Aomori, northeastern Japan, to Tokyo. The race with some 900 participants is being held to support coastal areas recovering from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

E

Olympic champ Takahashi in relay for rebuilding disaster-hit areas

AOMORI, Japan - Olympic marathon champion Naoko Takahashi (R) takes part in a relay event from the northern Japanese city of Aomori to Tokyo to promote the reconstruction of areas hit by the March 11, 2011, disasters. Around 900 people will run or cycle on the 1,238-kilometer course, divided into 165 zones.

E

Olympic champ Takahashi in relay for rebuilding disaster-hit areas

AOMORI, Japan - Olympic marathon champion Naoko Takahashi (R) takes part in a relay event from the northern Japanese city of Aomori to Tokyo to promote the reconstruction of areas hit by the March 11, 2011, disasters. Around 900 people will run or cycle on the 1,238-kilometer course, divided into 165 zones.

E

Gold medalist Takahashi dating ex-trainer

GIFU, Japan - Naoko Takahashi, the 2000 Sydney Olympics gold medalist in women's marathon, meets reporters at the Gifu prefectural government office on March 16, 2012, on media reports the same day about her being in a relationship with her former trainer Ko Nishimura. Takahashi, 39, confirmed the reports.

E

Gold medalist Takahashi dating ex-trainer

GIFU, Japan - Naoko Takahashi, the 2000 Sydney Olympics gold medalist in women's marathon, meets reporters at the Gifu prefectural government office on March 16, 2012, on media reports the same day about her being in a relationship with her former trainer Ko Nishimura. Takahashi, 39, confirmed the reports.

E

Gold medalist Takahashi at evacuation center

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - Naoko Takahashi, the 2000 Sydney Olympic gold medalist in the women's marathon, helps to cook lunch at an evacuation center in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on April 14, 2011, for people affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan.

E

Olympic medalist Takahashi takes up farming

DATE, Japan - Olympic marathon gold medalist Naoko Takahashi plants broccoli seeds at a farm in Date, Hokkaido, on May 11, 2010. Takahashi will visit the farm once or twice a month under a sponsorship contract with an agricultural group, which will provide the vegetables to hotel guests.

E

Olympic runner Takahashi in MLB ceremony

ANAHEIM, United States - Sydney Olympic gold medal marathon runner Naoko Takahashi (L) of Japan throws the ceremonial first pitch ahead of a game at Angel Stadium in California on April 6, 2010. Catching the ball is compatriot Hideki Matsui, an outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels.

E

Olympic runner Takahashi in MLB ceremony

ANAHEIM, United States - Los Angeles Angels' Hideki Matsui (R) from Japan shakes hands with compatriot Naoko Takahashi at Angel Stadium in California on April 6, 2010. The Sydney Olympic gold medalist threw the ceremonial first pitch ahead of a game between the Angels and the Minnesota Twins.

E

Takahashi makes farewell run in Nagoya Int'l Women's Marathon

NAGOYA, Japan - Sydney Olympic gold medalist Naoko Takahashi crosses the finish line at Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya on March 8 in the Nagoya International Women's Marathon. Takahashi made a farewell run as a general participant to pay tribute to her fans after retiring last October.

E

Olympic gold medalist runner Takahashi to become TV anchorwoman

TOKYO, Japan - Sydney Olympic gold medalist marathon runner Naoko Takahashi poses at a press conference at Tokyo Broadcasting System Inc.'s headquarters on Jan. 30. The retired Takahashi, nicknamed ''Q-chan,'' announced she will become an anchorwoman for sports topics on the broadcaster's daily news program ''The News,'' starting in late March, once a week. ''I will let people know the hard work of athletes, not only those in track and field sports but many others,'' she said.

E

Sydney gold medalist Takahashi calls it quits

TOKYO, Japan - Sydney Olympic gold medalist Naoko Takahashi smiles during a news conference in a Tokyo hotel on Oct. 28 at which she announced her retirement, saying she has reached the end of the road as a top women's professional marathon runner.

E

Sydney gold medalist Takahashi calls it quits

TOKYO, Japan - Sydney Olympic gold medalist Naoko Takahashi weeps as reporters applaud after a news conference in a Tokyo hotel on Oct. 28 at which she announced her retirement.

E

Sydney gold medalist Takahashi calls it quits

TOKYO, Japan - Sydney Olympic gold medalist Naoko Takahashi holds back her tears as she leaves a news conference in a Tokyo hotel on Oct. 28 at which she announced her retirement.

E

Sydney gold medalist Takahashi calls it quits

TOKYO, Japan - Sydney Olympic gold medalist Naoko Takahashi smiles during a news conference at a hotel in Tokyo on Oct. 28 at which she announced her retirement, saying she has reached the end of the road as a top women's professional marathon runner.

E

Takahashi's Beijing dream shattered

NAGOYA, Japan - Sydney Olympic champion Naoko Takahashi nods her head before running cross the finish line at the Nagoya Women's International Marathon on March 9. Takahashi saw her hopes of running in this summer's Beijing Olympics shattered after finishing a disappointing 27th in 2:44:18.

E

Takahashi to train in China ahead of Nagoya int'l marathon

NARITA, Japan - Sydney Olympic marathon champion Naoko Takahashi heads to Kunming in China's Yunnan Province from Narita airport on Dec. 25 for highland training, ahead of her participation in the Nagoya International Women's Marathon in March next year, in a bid to get a ticket for the Beijing Olympics.

E

Takahashi to run in Nagoya Int'l Women's Marathon

TOKYO, Japan - File photo of Sydney Olympic gold medalist Naoko Takahashi, who will run in the Nagoya International Women's Marathon on March 9, her management office said Dec. 17. The race will be Takahashi's quest for virtually the last spot to represent Japan in the women's marathon at next year's Beijing Olympics.

E

Olympic medalist Takahashi joins Shonan Int'l Marathon

FUJISAWA, Japan - Olympic medalist Naoko Takahashi (C) joins the first Shonan International Marathon in Kanagawa Prefecture on March 18 as a guest, finishing the race with other runners.

E

Olympic medalist Takahashi joins Shonan Int'l Marathon

FUJISAWA, Japan - Some 12,000 runners taking part in the first Shonan International Marathon in Kanagawa Prefecture on March 18 set off with Enoshima Island in the background. Olympic medalist Naoko Takahashi joined the race as a guest.

E

Tosa victorious in Tokyo over Takahashi

TOKYO, Japan - Reiko Tosa of Japan crosses the line at National Stadium to win the Tokyo International Women's Marathon in 2 hours, 26 minutes, 15 seconds. Tosa ran unchallenged in the final 11 kilometers after pulling ahead of Sydney Olympic gold medalist Naoko Takahashi Takahashi, who came third in 2:31:22, the second slowest in her career.

E

Takahashi to run in Tokyo race in Nov.

NARITA, Japan - Sydney Olympic gold medalist Naoko Takahashi speaks with reporters prior to departure from Narita airport for the United States for training. Takahashi said she plans to run in the Tokyo International Women's Marathon for her next full-marathon appearance, one year after making an impressive comeback in the Tokyo meet.

E

Takahashi wins in Tokyo in impressive comeback

TOKYO, Japan - Sydney Olympic champion Naoko Takahashi celebrates her victory in the Tokyo International Women's Marathon at Tokyo's National Stadium on Nov. 19.

E

Takahashi wins in Tokyo in impressive comeback

TOKYO, Japan - Sydney Olympic champion Naoko Takahashi smiles during an interview at Tokyo's National Stadium on Nov. 19 after winning the Tokyo International Women's Marathon in 2 hours, 24 minutes, 39 seconds.

E

Takahashi wins in Tokyo in impressive comeback

TOKYO, Japan - Sydney Olympic champion Naoko Takahashi breasts the tape at Tokyo's National Stadium on Nov. 19 to win the Tokyo International Women's Marathon in 2 hours, 24 minutes, 39 seconds.

E

Takahashi to run with injured leg in Sunday's race

TOKYO, Japan - Sydney Olympic champion Naoko Takahashi tells a press conference at a Tokyo hotel on Nov. 18 that she is suffering from inflamed leg muscles but has not changed her plan to make a comeback in the Nov. 20 Tokyo race.

E

Takahashi back in Japan, ready for comeback

NARITA, Japan - Sydney Olympic champion Naoko Takahashi arrives at Narita airport, northeast of Tokyo, from the United States on Nov. 10 to take part in the Tokyo International Women's Marathon on Nov. 20. The race will be her first full marathon in two years.

E

Half Marathon: Takahashi 4th in Philadelphia race

PHILADELPHIA, United States - Sydney Olympic gold medalist Naoko Takahashi smiles after finishing fourth in the women's half marathon at the Philadelphia Distance Run on Sept. 18 in the latest of her warm-ups for her marathon comeback. Takahashi clocked 1 hour, 11 minutes, 28 seconds in a race won by Deena Kastor of the United States, the Athens Olympic marathon bronze medalist, who set a meet record of 1:07:53.

E

Takahashi to run in Tokyo int'l marathon in November

TOKYO, Japan - Sydney Olympic champion Naoko Takahashi (file photo) will return to a competitive marathon race in Tokyo in November after an injury-caused two-year absence, her management office said Aug. 22.

E

(1)Takahashi to part ways with coach Koide

TOKYO, Japan - Sydney Olympic gold medalist Naoko Takahashi smiles as her coach Yoshio Koide speaks at a press conference in a Tokyo hotel on May 9. Takahashi said she will part company with Koide and continue her running career without a trainer.

E

(2)Takahashi to part ways with coach Koide

TOKYO, Japan - Sydney Olympic gold medalist Naoko Takahashi and her longtime coach Yoshio Koide pose at a press conference in a Tokyo hotel on May 9. Takahashi said she will part company with Koide and continue her running career without a trainer.

E

Noguchi honored as best marathon runner of 2004

MARUGAME, Japan - Athens Olympic champion Mizuki Noguchi receives the ''Golden Shoes'' on Feb. 5 at a hotel in Marugame, Kagawa Prefecture, after being named female marathon runner of the year by the Association of International Marathons and Road Races. Noguchi is the second Japanese to win the award, after Naoko Takahashi was honored for her victory in the Sydney Olympic women's marathon in 2000.

E

Takahashi completes half-marathon in Chiba

CHIBA, Japan - Sydney Olympic marathon champion Naoko Takahashi finishes a half-marathon in 1 hour, 26 minutes, 16 seconds in Chiba on Jan. 23 in her first race over 20 kilometers since fracturing her right ankle last September.

E

Sydney Olympic champion Takahashi suffers injury setback

NARITA, Japan - Sydney Olympic women's marathon gold medalist Naoko Takahashi returns to Narita airport from her base camp in Boulder, Colorado, on Nov. 20. She said she twisted her right ankle during practice and tests last month revealed she had fractured a bone and would need six to eight weeks to fully recover.

E

(2)Marathon museum opens in Greece

ATHENS, Greece - Visitors at a newly opened marathon museum in Marathon on Aug. 5 look at a photo of Japanese Sydney Olympic marathon gold medalist Naoko Takahashi. The museum opened the same day in a ceremony held by Geek Orthodox priest.

E

Takahashi joins city marathon in Saitama Pref.

YOSHIKAWA, Japan - Popular marathon runner Naoko Takahashi runs in a city marathon in Yoshikawa, Saitama Prefecture, on April 4 in her first public appearance since March when she was left off the national team for this summer's Athens Olympics. ''I'd like to enjoy running with many people here,'' Takahashi told some 3,800 participants at the kick-off event, adding she was there to ''directly convey my thanks'' to people who supported her and tried to cheer her up after her disappointment of not making the team.

E

(7)Takahashi fails to qualify for Athens Olympics

TOKYO, Japan - Naoko Takahashi, who won the women's marathon at the Sydney Olympics but failed to qualify for the Athens Olympics, is surrounded by photographers at a hotel in Tokyo on March 15 as she leaves following a press conference.

E

(2)Takahashi fails to qualify for Athens Olympics

TOKYO, Japan - Reiko Tosa (R) smiles during a press conference in Tokyo on March 15 after being chosen by the Japan Association of Athletics Federations as one of the three runners on the women's marathon team for the Athens Olympics. Naoko Takahasi, winner of the women's marathon at the Sydney Olympics, failed to qualify for the Athens Olympics.

E

(6)Takahashi fails to qualify for Athens Olympics

TOKYO, Japan - Naoko Takahashi, the gold medallist in the women's marathon at the Sydney Olympics, appears despondent during a press conference at a hotel in Tokyo on March 15 after failing to qualify for the Athens Olympics.

E

(1)Takahashi fails to qualify for Athens Olympics

TOKYO, Japan - Keisuke Sawaki, an executive of the Japan Association of Athletics Federations, announces at a press conference in Tokyo on March 15 Japan's marathon runners for the Athens Olympics. Naoko Takahashi, the gold medalist in women's marathon in the Sydney Olympics, failed to qualify for the Athens Olympics.

E

(5)Takahashi fails to qualify for Athens Olympics

TOKYO, Japan - Naoko Takahashi, who won the gold medal in the women's marathon at the Sydney Olympics, speaks to reporters at a hotel in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on March 15 after failing to qualify for the Athens Olympics. The Japan Association of Athletics Federations chose Naoko Sakamoto, Reiko Tosa and Mizuki Noguchi as women's marathon runners for the Olympics.

E

(3)Takahashi fails to qualify for Athens Olympics

TOKYO, Japan - Reiko Tosa flashes a victory sign during a press conference in Tokyo on March 15 after being chosen by the Japan Association of Athletics Federations as one of the three runners on the women's marathon team for the Athens Olympics. Naoko Takahasi, the gold medalist of the women's marathon at the Sydney Olympics, was not selected.

E

Takahashi fails to qualify for Athens Olympics

TOKYO, Japan - Members of the Japan Association of Athletic Federations meet in Tokyo on March 15 to select Japanese athletes for the Athens Olympic men and women marathon events. The association said Olympic champion Naoko Takahashi failed to qualify.

E

(1)Takahashi begins New Year's training

NARITA, Japan - Sydney Olympic marathon gold medallist Naoko Takahashi offers her prayer at a temple in Narita, east of Tokyo, before he starts her New Year's training on Jan. 1.

E

(2)Takahashi begins New Year's training

SAKURA, Japan - Sydney Olympic marathon gold medallist Naoko Takahashi poses for a photograph before she starts her training in Sakura, Chiba Prefecture, on the New Year's Day on Jan. 1.

E

(3)Takahashi upstaged at Tokyo marathon

TOKYO, Japan - Japan's Naoko Takahashi (C) poses with her coach Yoshio Koide (L) and Paula Radcliffe 'R), the holder of the marathon world record holder, after finishing in second at the Tokyo International Women's Marathon on Nov. 16.

E

(2)Takahashi upstaged at Tokyo marathon

TOKYO, Japan - Japan's Olympic champion Naoko Takahashi looks exhausted after finishing in second behind Ethiopia's Elfenesh Alemu at the Tokyo International Women's marathon on Nov. 16.

E

Takahashi upstaged at Tokyo marathon

TOKYO, Japan - Japan's Olympic champion Naoko Takahashi crosses the finish line at the National Stadium to finish in second behind Elfenesh Alemu of Ethiopia in a time of 2:27:21. Takahashi led for much of the race but faded at the 39-kilometer mark and was overtaken by Alemu.

E

Takahashi set to challenge self at Tokyo marathon

TOKYO, Japan - Sydney Olympic champion Naoko Takahashi relaxes after a practice near a Tokyo hotel Nov. 15 ahead of the Tokyo International Women's Marathon on Nov. 16. The diminutive 31-year-old is among 15 invitees who will take part in the race.

E

Takahashi named board member for 2007 athletic worlds

OSAKA, Japan - File photo shows Naoko Takahashi, winner of the gold medal in women's marathon at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, who has been named a member of the board of directors for the 2007 World Athletic Championships to be held in Osaka. Event organizers said Oct. 21 that Takahashi was added to the list of board members for the 10-day meet beginning Aug. 24, 2007 at Nagai stadium in Osaka with over 200 countries participating.