Japan has accumulated 498 medals won across both summer and winter sports in the Modern Olympic Games. Its first appearance was Sweden 1912. The country is high in the medal tally, and has produced several superstar athletes.
One of the most notable Japanese Olympians is wrestler Saori Yoshida, who won three gold medals and one silver medal between 2004 and 2016. Swimmer Rikako Ikee, who won six gold medals at the 2018 Asian Games after recovering from leukemia. Gymnast Kohei Uchimura won two gold medals and four silver medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.
Looking ahead to the next Olympic Games in Paris 2024, there are several up-and-coming Japanese athletes to keep an eye on. One is tennis player Naomi Osaka, who won two Grand Slam titles before taking a break from the sport to focus on her mental health. Another is swimmer Tomoru Honda, who won silver in the men’s 200m butterfly at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Honda is expected to continue his success in Paris.
In addition to these individuals, Japan is a strong player across a range of sports, including judo, gymnastics, and baseball. Japan hosted the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which were postponed to 2021 due to Covid-19. Japanese athletes had a home advantage and delivered impressive performances in front of their home crowd. Despite the challenges, Japanese athletes proved their resilience and showcased their talent on the world stage.
Japan has a proud Olympic history, and with a strong team and a new generation of up-and-coming athletes, the country is sure to continue its success in Paris, LA and here in Brisbane 2032.