World · East Asia & Pacific · 18 hrs ago
Paralympic archer Aiko Okazaki embraces motherhood after train crash
Aiko Okazaki gave birth to her first child in March and is now raising the baby in Tokyo.
The Japanese archer was paralyzed from the neck down in the 2005 Amagasaki train disaster, which killed 107 people.
She spent 377 days in hospital and later returned to university, found work and moved to Tokyo.
After Tokyo was chosen to host the Paralympics, Okazaki took up archery and made Japan’s 2021 team, finishing fifth.
Motherhood brings new practical challenges, and she sometimes wishes she could use her hands or walk.
Her baby’s growth gives her fresh determination, though she has no firm plans to return to competition.
She hopes to resume training when circumstances allow.
Paralympic archer Aiko Okazaki, who was paralyzed from the neck down in a 2005 train derailment, gave birth to her first child in March.
The 40-year-old is raising her child in Tokyo and says motherhood brings new challenges.
Okazaki represented Japan at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics, where she finished fifth.
She has no firm plans to return to competition but hopes to resume training when circumstances allow.
- Who
- Aiko Okazaki, a Japanese Paralympic archer.
- What
- She gave birth to her first child and is embracing motherhood.
- When
- She gave birth in March. The article was published on Nov. 8, 2026.
- Where
- She is raising her child in Tokyo. The train derailment occurred in Amagasaki.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Okazaki was riding a commuter train to university when it derailed in Amagasaki.
After Tokyo was chosen to host the Paralympics, Okazaki decided to challenge herself again and took up archery.
Okazaki represented Japan at the Tokyo Paralympics and finished fifth.
Okazaki gave birth to her first child.
- Age
- 40
- Train disaster
- Amagasaki, April 25, 2005
- Deaths in derailment
- 107
- Hospital stay
- 377 days
- Paralympic result
- Fifth place at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics
What people are saying
I know I have to do everything I can to raise this child.
There are so many times, especially when I'm looking after my child, when I wish I could use my hands or walk.
Staying shut away at home wasn't going to get me anywhere. I had to become independent.
I was so relieved that my baby was finally here.