First Gold Medal of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games goes to Yuka Sato of Japan

Photo: ITU / Delly Carr

Japan's Yuka Sato claimed first gold medal at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games, stunning the women's triathlon competition with her dominant performance in the final 5k run. Ellie Salthouse (AUS) finished in 2nd on the podium, while Kelly Whitley (USA) finished in 3rd.

32 young athletes from all around the world were lined up at the starting grids this morning to decide the first medal winners of the Youth Games. Sato came up 3rd from the water, but the 750m swim did not create a decisive gap with other favorites. A big lead pack of 18 athletes came together during the 20k bike. At the exit of the second transition, American YOG Qualifier winner Adriana Barraza (MEX) tried to break away from the pack, creating a few seconds room from the winner.

However, Sato, who has already competed five rounds of Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series in elite level this year, showed the best performance today to thousand of local crowds hitting up Singapore's most beautiful beach East Coast Park, finishing 1st by 14 seconds. 2009 Aquathlon World Junior Champion Ellie Salthouse (AUS) finished in 2nd with the time of 1:01:04, followed by Kelly Whitley of USA.

Asked about the feeling as a first-medal winner, Sato said, "I made it!! I knew this would be the first contest in the YOG, which really got me motivated to go for gold. Really wanted to drive Team Japan!!"

Yuka Sato (JPN): Biography
Winner of 2009 Incheon ITU Triathlon Asian YOG Qualifier, Sato is one of Japan's promising athletes, having competed five rounds of the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series in Elite category this year. She first took up triathlon when she was 9 years old with her mother's encouragement. Sato also topped at 2010 Sendai Bay ITU Triathlon Asian Cup and 2010 Amakusa ITU Triathlon Asian Cup in Elite categories. Personal best in 400m swim is 4'23"1. Her dream is to become an Olympic medalist.

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Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games - Women Final
15 August 2010
Sprint Triathlon - 750m swim, 20K bike, 5K run