JAPAN - Japan's Yuri Kano won the Nagoya International Women's Marathon Sunday and then set her sights on the world's top races including the 2012 London Olympics.

JAPAN - Japan's Yuri Kano won the Nagoya International Women's Marathon Sunday and then set her sights on the world's top races including the 2012 London Olympics.

Kano crossed the line in 2hrs 27min 11sec ahead of Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia, who clocked 2:28:13, and compatriot Hiromi Ominami in 2:28:35. Japan's Mai Ito was fourth in 2:29:19.

The 31-year-old Kano, winner of the 2007 Hokkaido Marathon, said she focused on winning the race, not on her time.

"With this victory, I think I can challenge in a better level of race in the world. Looking forward to the London Olympics, I want to strengthen my mentality to challenge on the world stage," she added.

Ominami led earlier in the race then Japan's Yuko Machida lost pace shortly afterwards and Tulu, the Barcelona and Sydney Olympics 10000m gold medallist, also slowed after the 27km mark.- Sapa-AF