Higashiomi City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan: Runa Nakazawa weathered several storms before emerging triumphant in the 66th edition of the Japan Women's Amateur Golf Championship.

Suffering from dizziness and nausea brought on by the swelting opening-day heat, Nakazawa considered withdrawing from the tournament prior to the second round.

However, having decided to continue, she then went on to withstand the challenge of Anna Iwanaga to claim the biggest win of her career.

“I’m really happy, and I want to use this victory as an opportunity to change myself,” said Nakazawa who fired rounds of 68, 75, 69 and a closing 68 for a 72-hole total of eight-under 280 at Meishin Yokaichi Country Club – one shot ahead of runner-up Iwanaga.

Thanks to her success, Nakazawa has risen 68 places to 43rd in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), just four spots behind Japanese number one Iwanaga.

With her victory, Nakazawa has also earned a starting spot in October’s Japan Women's Open at Cherry Hills Golf Club, Hyogo Prefecture. Furthermore, she can also take the women's professional test from the final stage.

Currently, Nakazawa is working and practicing as a trainee at Higashimatsuyama Country Club. She said she plans to further hone her skills in preparation for the Japan Open.

Meanwhile, the Australian trio of Billy Dowling, Kayun Mudadana and Declan O Donovan all made good progress in the WAGR on the back of their strong performances at the 130th Amateur Championship in England.

Dowling, who reached the quarter-final stage in match play at Royal St George’s, has soared 66 places to 258th.

Mudadana and O’Donovan also qualified from the stroke play segment and have improved their standings by 49 and 36 rungs respectively. Mudadana is now 252nd in the WAGR with O’Donovan climbing to 442nd.

By qualifying for match play, Rintaro Nakano has consolidated his standing as Japan's number one male amateur. The 21-year-old has progressed 41 places to 136th.