Bahrain's Eunice Jepkirui Kirwa Wins Asian Games Women's Marathon

Kenya-born Eunice Jepkirui Kirwa won the Asian Games women's marathon for Bahrain on Thursday, holding off Ryoko Kizaki of Japan. (Day 13 Blog | Medal Tally)

Kirwa led from start to finish as the course wound through the South Korean port city of Incheon in chilly weather, crossing the line in 2 hours, 25 minutes and 37 seconds. Kizaki took silver and another Bahraini, Lishan Dula Gemgchu, was third. (Read: Olympic Council of Asia to Decide Fate of Boxing Medal Sarita Devi Refused)

The win was the sixth gold medal for Bahrain in the continental competition. Like other Arab states, Bahrain has embraced talented African runners, offering incentives and the promise of improved training conditions and more opportunities for international competition.

Elsewhere, Japan's batters scattered nine hits in their 6-0 defeat of Taiwan in the softball final. Upon receiving their medals, the Japanese women unveiled a banner urging the International Olympic Council to reinstate baseball and softball as Olympic sports in time for the 2020 games in Tokyo. (Also Read: Indian Men, Women in Kabaddi Final)

With three days remaining at Incheon, China lead the medal standings with 132 golds. South Korea were second with 62 gold medals, followed by Japan with 40. (Read: India Finish Fifth in Men's Volleyball)