Yuko Takahashi

She almost lost her way early on. After that first race at Showa Kinen Park in Tachikawa, Yuko left the triathlon world and focused on swimming before a switch to running. However, her frustration at not progressing as far as she wanted in either sport forced her back to triathlon. Success was quick to come with a win in the Nationals at junior level, and she has stuck at it ever since.

Yuko made an immediate impact as a pro in her first season in the World Triathlon Series, where she ranked 14th overall. She was totally dominant in the 2018 Asian Games, winning gold medals in both the individual and the mixed relay events. Yuko has also been crowned a National Champion in Japan twice.

Yuko has proven her strength at Super League Triathlon, with three top-ten finishes giving her eighth place in the 2018 Championship Series. She was sixth in 2019, thanks largely to a podium finish as she took third at Super League Triathlon Malta. She has also regularly worn the grey jersey as the fastest at transition.

Yuko is coached by Paulo Sousa, along with the likes of Taylor Spivey and Valerie Barthelemy. When she is at home living in Tokyo in Japan, she lives with her family and her two dogs Lavie and Launa.