Cycling: Yamasaki gets Japan long-awaited world keirin gold

COPENHAGEN (Kyodo) — Track cyclist Kento Yamasaki won the men’s keirin at the world championships Thursday, making him the first Japanese to win the discipline since Harumi Honda in 1987.

The 31-year-old Yamasaki crossed the finish line ahead of second-place Israeli Mikhail Yakovlev and third-place Colombian Kevin Santiago Quintero Chavarro on the second day of the championships in Ballerup, Denmark.

“I still can’t believe I won,” Yamasaki said.

“I’m really happy I could produce this result for all the people who’ve supported me.”

Japanese compatriot Kazushige Kuboki won the non-Olympic men’s scratch. In the men’s team pursuit, Japan lost to Germany in the bronze medal race.