Hojo wins gold in 52:56, edging Zhang by nine seconds in the men’s triathlon at the Aichi‑Nagoya Asian Games.
A 750‑metre swim, 20‑kilometre bike and 5‑km run tested the athletes – Hojo was fourth off the water, slipped to fifth on the bike, then surged on the run.
It was the final run that turned the tide – a grueling 5‑km sprint where Hojo battled Zhang Xirui, then pulled away in the closing stretch to seal a 52:56 finish.
“I was really fired‑up. Even the rain held off and I was in top form right up until I stood on the starting line,” Hojo said, noting that the win will qualify him for the 2028 Olympics.
Japan’s first gold lifts the host team, giving momentum to the relay squad and the women’s side.
The Games now shift to swimming and the relay events, with Japan eyeing further golds.