HARBIN, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- Haruki Yamashita claimed Japan's first cross-country skiing gold medal at the Harbin Asian Winter Games after winning the men's 10km free event on Monday.
A total of 46 skiers competed in the race, with each competitor starting 30 seconds apart.
Despite Chinese veteran Wang Qiang holding the fastest pace across the first 6km, Yamashita surged in the latter stages of the race. The 25-year-old Japanese finished in 21 minutes and 6.5 seconds to take gold.
"Finishing strong is a great tactic to win, and I executed this strategy as planned. The result was excellent, and I'm also grateful that China created such great competition conditions," he said. "I will also participate in the relay event and will continue to work hard, aiming to win another gold medal."
Japan's Takatsugu Uda was 10 seconds behind Yamashita to earn the silver, while Kazakhstan's Olzhas Klimin secured the bronze in 21 minutes and 20.3 seconds.
China's Bao Lin and Wang finished fourth and fifth respectively.
The cross-country skiing competition will conclude on Wednesday with the women's 4x5km relay and the men's 4x7.5km relay events. ■