Yuka Sato of Japan celebrates with her gold medal after winning the women's triathlon event yesterday. Photo: CFP

Japan's Yuka Sato wrote her name in the history books Sunday by becoming the first gold medal winner of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games when she won the triathlon.

The 18-year-old triumphed in Singapore with a commanding display ahead of Australia's Ellie Salthouse and Kelly Whitley of the US.

Sato was one of the favorites as the only triathlete in the field to clock a top-10 finish at last year's World Junior Championships.

She lived up to expectations in the 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike ride and 5-kilometer run discipline, eventually winning in 1 hour 49.69 seconds.

"I made it," said an ecstatic Sato, one of Japan's most promising young athletes.

"I knew this would be the first contest in the Youth Olympic Games, which really got me motivated to go for gold. I really wanted to drive Team Japan."

While Sato was celebrating, South Korea's Kim Hee-sun was under observation in hospital after a nasty crash in the cycling leg.

Kim collided with Puerto Rico's Cristina Luizzet Betancourt de Leon on a sharp bend and after being carried from the track on a stretcher was taken to hospital, where her condition was described as stable.

Betancourt de Leon was unable to complete the race after sustaining injuries to her forehead, right hand and leg.

Singapore's Clara Wong came in 30th out of the 32-strong field in 1 hour 21 minutes 30.85 seconds.

In the pool, Britain's world champion diver Tom Daley is a doubt for the Youth Olympic Games after pulling out of the European Championships with a triceps injury.

The 16-year-old, who was a shock winner of the men's 10-meter platform event at the world championships in Rome last year, was due to compete in the 10-meter synchro platform final at the Euros in Hungary Sunday.

He will travel to Singapore regardless and hope to be ready for the 3-meter springboard competition in a week's time and then the 10-meter platform.

"The team and I felt it was best not to risk it and completely tear the muscle, which would put me out for three months and would see me miss the Commonwealth Games," said Daley, one of the Youth Games' biggest drawcards.

"I'll travel to Singapore for the Youth Olympic Games but will see how it is before taking a decision to compete," he added in a statement.

British Olympic Association (BOA) chairman Colin Moynihan said Daley was being assessed by a medical team.

"It's a matter for Tom's coach to say whether he will compete," Moynihan said.

"But the BOA has an outstanding medical and fitness team here to support him, and then it's for his coach and Tom to decide."

Agencies