Nozomi Tanaka

Nozomi Tanaka (田中 希実, Tanaka Nozomi, born 4 September 1999) is a Japanese track and field athlete who specializes in middle and long-distance running.^[1] She is the current Japanese record holder in the women's 1000 metres, 1500 metres, 3000 metres, and 5000 metres.^[2] She also holds the Asian Area records in many indoor events, such as the 1000 metres, 3000 metres, and 5000 metres.^[3][4]

Nozomi Tanaka

Nozomi Tanaka in 2023
Personal information
Born	(1999-09-04) 4 September 1999 (age 25) Ono, Hyōgo, Japan
Sport
Country	Japan
Sport	Track and field
Event(s)	Middle-distance, Long-distance
Achievements and titles
Personal bests	800 m: 2:02.36 (2021) 1500 m: 3:59.19 (2021) NR 3000 m: 8:33.52 (2025) NR 5000 m: 14:29.18 (2023) NR 10,000 m: 31:59.89 (2021)
Medal record Women's athletics Representing  Japan World U20 Championships 2018 Tampere 3000 m Asian Junior Championships 2018 Gifu 3000 m

Tanaka represented Japan at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in the 5000 metres, and at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, competing in the 1500m and 5000m.^[5][6]

In November 2024, it was announced that she had signed up for the inaugural season of the Michael Johnson founded Grand Slam Track.^[7]

Early life

Born in Hyōgo Prefecture on September 4, 1999, Tanaka was the child of two competitive runners. Her father Katsutoshi ran for a corporate team, while her mother, Chihiro, won the Hokkaido Marathon in 2003.^[8] Tanaka is coached by her father.

Tanaka first began running at a young age in local non-competitive races, where she enjoyed running with her family. Her father also organized many events, which allowed her to become even closer to the sport. She eventually won her first road race in her fifth year of elementary schooling. This ignited her competitive spirit and love for running.^[9]

Competition record

Year	Competition	Venue	Position	Event	Notes
Major international competitions
2021	Olympic Games	Tokyo, Japan	16th (h)	5000 m	14:59.93 PB
			8th	1,500 m	3:59.95 (PB h)
2019	World Cross Country Championships	Aarhus, Denmark	39th	10 km	39:27[10]
	World Championships	Doha, Qatar	14th	5000 m	15:00.01 PB
2018	World U20 Championships	Tampere, Finland	1st	3000 m	8:54.01 PB
	Asian U20 Championships	Gifu, Japan	1st	3000 m	9:04.36 CR
2017	DécaNation	Paris, France	3rd	2000 m	5:53.47
	Asian Championships	Bhubaneswar, India	4th	1500 m	4:20.43
2016	World U20 Championships	Bydgoszcz, Poland	8th	3000 m	9:01.16 PB

Circuit performances

Grand Slam Track results[11]
Slam	Race group	Event	Pl.	Time	Prize money
2025 Kingston Slam	Long distance	3000 m	7th	8:49.10	US$10,000
		5000 m	7th	15:31.93
2025 Miami Slam	Long distance	5000 m	7th	15:06.78	US$12,500
		3000 m	8th	8:44.51

National titles

• Japan Championships in Athletics
  • 1500 metres: 2020, 2021,2022,2023
  • 5000 metres: 2020,2022,2023