Japan produced a new Olympic hopeful on Sunday when Risa Shigetomo won the Osaka international women’s marathon in only her second such event.

The 24-year-old secured victory after a strong showing in the final 15 kilometres, crossing the finishing line in two hours 23 minutes and 23 seconds.

Australian Lauren Shelley finished a distant eighth at 2:35:57 while Beijing Olympic gold medallist Constantina Dita of Romania was 11th with 2:40.08.

Shigetomo, who was happy to follow the early pace-setters before moving up a gear and creating a clear lead, said: “It’s been my dream to compete in the Olympics.

“When I ran my first marathon in London last year, I couldn’t run at my own pace, so I’m glad I did today.

“Pace-setters made the early rhythm and I just tried to follow them.”

Yuko Shimizu of Japan, the early pace-setter, abandoned after 22km, leaving Shigetomo and compatriot Kayoko Fukushi out front.

After 27km, Shigetomo broke away as Fukushi fell back to finish ninth with a time of 2:37:35.

Tetiana Gamera-Shmyrko of Ukraine finished second in 2:24:46, followed by Japan’s Azusa Nojiri with 2:24:57.