( AFP )- World bronze medallist Victor Rothlin of Switzerland set his personal best time and a new meet record to win the Tokyo marathon on Sunday.
Rothlin, who expects to compete in the Beijing Olympics, clocked two hours seven minutes 23 seconds to win the men's race, beating his previous best of 2:08:20 when winning the Zurich marathon last year.
It was also a new Tokyo marathon record beating Daniel Njenga of Kenya, who won here in 2:09:45 last year.
Japan's Arata Fujiwara came in second in 2:08:40, followed by last year's Hokkaido marathon winner Julius Gitahi of Kenya third in 2:08:57.
"What a great story. It's unbelievable. It's a dream come true. I was third last year in Osaka (world championships) and now coming back to Japan, a country of marathon running, to win Tokyo is unbelievable," said Rothlin.
"After this, the game starts again in Beijing. I have to do my best, I have to be ready for that. I think I'm on the right way to Beijing," he added.
Njenga, also the winner here in 2004, finished at 13th place in 2:14:11.