Ryuji Miura won the men’s 3000m steeplechase in 8:17.36 at the Asian Games in Nagoya, setting a Games record in a Japanese one-two.

Miura finished just 0.24 seconds ahead of compatriot Ryoma Aoki, who ran a personal best of 8:17.60. Qatar’s Zakaria El Ahlaami took bronze in 8:18.13, while India’s Avinash Sable finished fourth in 8:21.67.

The victory added the Asian Games title to a résumé that already includes Olympic and World Championships appearances.

Born in Shimane Prefecture in 2002, Miura attended Juntendo University before joining Subaru. He holds the Japanese national record for the 3000m steeplechase at 8:03.43, set at the 2025 Herculis meeting in Monaco.

Miura first established himself internationally as a junior. He won the 3000m steeplechase at the 2019 Asian U20 Championships before moving into senior championship competition.

He represented Japan at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, held in 2021, and later competed at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene. He reached the Olympic final at Paris 2024 and has also competed at the 2023 and 2025 World Championships.

His 2024 Olympic campaign ended with a seventh-place finish in the 3000m steeplechase final. At the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, he also reached the final.

The 2025 season produced the biggest improvement in his personal record. Miura ran 8:03.43 at the Herculis meeting in Monaco, lowering his Japanese record and moving further into the international elite of the event.

In Nagoya, Miura’s 8:17.36 was well outside that national record but was enough to break the previous Asian Games record and secure Japan’s gold medal.

The result also gave Japan the top two positions in the event. Aoki’s 8:17.60 was a personal best, while Miura became the Asian Games champion.

Miura’s victory was part of a strong Japanese showing in the men’s middle-distance programme at the Games. Kazuto Iizawa won the 1500m in a Games record of 3:36.35, while Ochiai won the 800m in another Games record, 1:44.48.

For Miura, Nagoya added another senior championship title to a career that already includes an Olympic final, multiple World Championships appearances and the Japanese national record.