From WikiRun
| Yukiko Akaba |
| Event |
long distance |
| Height |
158 cm |
| Weight |
43 kg |
| PR |
5000 m : 15:06.07 (2008) - all-time Japanese 3rd-best; 10000 m: 31:15.34 (2008) - all-time Japanese 4th-best; half marathon: 1:08:11 (2008) - all-time Japanese 3rd-best |
| Born |
October 18, 1979 at Tochigi Prefecture, Japan |
| High School |
Moka Joshi H.S. |
| College |
Josai Univ. |
| Coach |
Shuichi Morita |
| Agent |
Mayu Nonaka |
| Club |
Hokuren |
Yukiko Akaba was a star university runner, winning the Japanese University Track and Field Championships women's 5000 m in 1999 and finishing 2nd in the international Universiad Games half marathon, also in 1999. After joining the Hokuren professional team her performances were unremarkable. Akaba gave birth to a daughter in August, 2006. Since returning from childbirth Akaba quickly rose to the top of Japanese women's distance running, clocking all-time Japanese top three or four performances at 5000 m, 10000 m and half marathon in the spring and summer of 2008 and finishing 2nd in the 5000 m and 10000 m at the 2008 Japanese National Track and Field Championships. She ran the 5000 m and 10000 m at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and finished 10th at the 2008 World Half Marathon Championships.
Career highlights
| Winner and Course Record Holder |
National Corporate Half Marathon Championships |
2008 |
| Beijing Olympics |
5000 m and 10000 m |
2008 |
| World Half Marathon Championships |
10th place |
2008 |
| 2nd place |
National Track and Field Championships 5000 m and 10000 m |
2008 |
| 2nd place |
Universiad Half Marathon |
1999 |
| National University Champion |
5000 m |
1999 |
External links