Eiki Takahashi won the 102nd Japanese National 20km Race Walking Championship in a scintillating race at Kobe that hung in the balance until the very last second - and at the same time lifted the title for an incredible fifth time in a row.

Eiki Takahashi produced the fastest time in the world for three years to win a high-quality race at the Japanese 20km Race Walking Championships in Kobe on Sunday (18).

Three of the men who featured on the bronze-medal-winning team from two years ago will again represent Japan in the 20km at the IAAF World Race Walking Team Championships Rome 2016 on 7-8 May.

Eiki Takahashi successfully defended his national 20km race walk title in Kobe on Sunday (21), booking his spot on Japan’s team for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Eiki Takahashi and Yusuke Suzuki both surpassed the national 20km race walk record at the Japanese Race Walking Championships in Kobe on Sunday (15).