Naoko Takahashi

Naoko Takahashi (born May 6, 1972 in Gifu) is a Japanese long-distance runner competing mainly in marathon. She is best known for her victory in the women's marathon at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. At the 2001 Berlin Marathon she set a world record which was broken one week later. In the women's marathon event (and not counting multiple records set by the same athlete), she still holds the 5th place world record and the 2nd place Japanese record (as of September, 2004).

Achievements

• 2001 Berlin Marathon - world record
• 2000 Olympic Games - gold medal