Rachel Ross held off defending champion Emi Shiono to win the overall women's division at the 23rd annual Strongman triathlon Sunday in Japan.

Ross, of Hawai'i Kai, completed the 1.9-mile swim, 96.3-mile bike and 26.1-mile run in 8 hours and 44 minutes.

"This was my second go at a long distance triathlon, and apparently I still have a lot to learn," said Ross on the Team Timex Blog.

Ross ran past Japanese professionals Shiono and Naomi Iwaizumi with 3 1/2 miles remaining, and then "just held on for dear life."

Shiono placed second, 1:10 behind Ross, and Iwaizumi took third, a minute behind Shiono.

"She's on a roll, I'll tell you," said Raul Boca, who coaches Ross. "She was racing against some of the biggest names in Japan."

Ross was coming off a victory at the Lanikai Triathlon, April 15, at Kailua Beach, where she was the top overall female finisher.

Ross took up running and triathlons after giving birth to her third child.