NAGOYA, Japan — Japan's Yurika Nakamura won the Nagoya International Women's Marathon today, while Sydney Olympic gold medalist and former world-record holder Naoko Takahashi finished a disappointing 27th.

Nakamura crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 25 minutes, 51 seconds to win in her first marathon — 28 seconds ahead of second-placed Yoshimi Ozaki.

"The pace was slow at the beginning so I'm pleased with this time," said the 21-year-old Nakamura. "I tried to pick it up in the second half."

The Nagoya race was the final Olympic marathon qualifying event for Japanese women.

Reiko Tosa clinched an Olympic berth with a bronze finish at the August world championships in Osaka. Athens Olympic champion Mizuki Noguchi will also represent Japan in Beijing.

Japan's athletics federation will announce the third member of the squad tomorrow.