Kampar, Malaysia, July 15, 2024: Japanese Yukiho Okuma will have the distinction of being the only athlete from the 48 boys and girls at the Olympic Council of Asia World Triathlon/Asia Triathlon Youth Development Camp to emerge as a champion.
The Kyoto native underlined the strength of triathlon in Japan by winning the Asian Triathlon Junior Cup Kampar U15 girls’ race to become the only athlete from the residential camp to top the podium in the series of races held over the weekend.
While elite athletes from across Asia dominated the Cup events as expected, Okuma broke the mould and gave the developing group - brought together for the first time by the OCA – a shot in the arm.
“I’m so happy that I managed to win this race,” said the 15-year-old junior high school student. “This was the first time I was competing in an international race at this level and I’m pleased to have won.”
Okuma finished the 375 metre swim, 10 km bike and 2.5 km run course in 36 minutes and 53 seconds. In second place was another girl from the development group, Hong Kong’s Jessie Wong Lok-tung, one minute and 11 seconds behind Okuma.
Like every other athlete at the eight-day residential camp which ends on Wednesday, July 17, Okuma too has the ambition of one day representing her country at the Olympic Games.
Okuma said: “I want to be an Olympian one day and win Japan a gold medal.”
Her Japanese coach Isamu Uchiyama believes in her. “She has the talent and the potential to do that. And more than that, she has a burning desire, the hunger to become an Olympian.”
Following her debut victory, Uchiyama will now map out a path for Okuma to take part in more international races in the junior category over the next 18 months.
“This camp is perfect for her. She has come across many athletes from across Asia. Winning her first race at this level will boost her confidence and we will now be taking part in more international races next year. The next goal is to start focusing on her world rankings,” Uchiyama pointed out.
“World rankings are very important. This year we have three Japanese athletes going to the Paris Olympics simply because they got a quota under the Olympic Qualification Rankings,” he added.
Okuma started swimming when she was three years old. When she was 10, a group of friends persuaded her to join the triathlon team. “I liked it, and started focusing on the sport.”
Today she is being groomed to become an Olympian.
