Toshinari Takaoka Explained

is a Japanese long-distance runner who specializes in the 5000 metres, 10,000 metres and the marathon race. He owned the former men's marathon Asian record.

International competitions

1994	Asian Games	Hiroshima, Japan	1st	5,000 m	13:38.37
			1st	10,000 m	28:15.48
1997	East Asian Games	Busan, South Korea	1st	10,000 m
	World Championships	Athens, Greece	DNS	10,000 m	-
1998	Asian Championships	Fukuoka, Japan	1st	5,000 m
1999	World Championships	Seville, Spain	12th	10,000 m	28:30.73
2000	Olympic Games	Sydney, Australia	15th	5,000 m	13:46.90
			7th	10,000 m	27:40.44
2001	East Asian Games	Osaka, Japan	1st	5000 m
	World Championships	Edmonton, Canada	15th	10,000 m	28:13.99
	Fukuoka Marathon	Fukuoka, Japan	3rd	Marathon	2:07:59
2002		Chicago, United States	3rd	Marathon	2:06:16
2005	Tokyo International Marathon	Tokyo, Japan	1st	Marathon	2:07:41
	World Championships	Helsinki, Finland	4th	Marathon	2:11:53

Personal bests

• 3000 metres - 7:41.87 min (1999/Japanese record)
• 5000 metres - 13:13.40 min (1998/Japanese record)
• 10,000 metres - 27:35.09 min (2001/Former Japanese record)
• Half marathon - 1:01:07 hrs (2003)
• Marathon - 2:06:16 hrs (2002/Former Asian record)