The American won the gold medal in the Japanese city with a time of 15:33.2, ahead of Russian Alexey Bychenok, who finished in 15:34.9, and team mate Dan Cnossen who clocked 15:35.2.

Further United States success came in the women's equivalent event, where Oksana Masters finished in a winning time of 8:30.4.

The silver and bronze medals went to Norway's sprint Paralympic champion Mariann Marthinsen and Russian Natalia Kocherova, who finished in 8:42.0 and 8:59.8, respectively.

Elsewhere in the men's classic middle distance standing, France's Benjamin Daviet clocked a time of 27:59.0 to defeat Russian world champion Vladislav Lekomtcev, who took the silver medal with a time of 28:11.0.

Canada's Mark Arendz came third in 28:47.5 for the bronze medal spot on the podium.

The women's event saw Russia's Ekaterina Rumyantseva claiming gold with a time of 16:28.9, while Canada's Brittany Hudak and Yurika Abe took silver and bronze with 16:53.6 and 18:24.0 respectively.

Brian McKeever, with guide Graham Nishikawa, dominated the men's classic middle distance visually impaired race for gold ©Getty Images


Multiple Paralympic champion Brian McKeever of Canada dominated the men's classic middle distance visually impaired with guide Graham Nishikawa to clinch the gold medal in 28:13.9.

Norway's Eirik Bye, guided by Kristian Myhre Hellerud, claimed the silver medal in a time of 31:35.2 to seal his first career world podium, while France's Anthony Chalencon and guide Lucas Dupperex were third with 32:25.2.

The competition continues in Asahikawa tomorrow with the sprint races.

The IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup Finals will take place in Surnadal, Norway, from March 16 to 22.

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