World · East Asia & Pacific · 2 hrs ago
Japanese Paralympic archer Aiko Okazaki embraces motherhood after train crash
Japanese Paralympic archer Aiko Okazaki has begun raising her first child after giving birth in March.
The 40-year-old lives in Tokyo and was paralyzed from the neck down when a train she was riding derailed in the 2005 Amagasaki disaster, which killed 107 people.
After spending 377 days in hospital, she returned to university, found work and rebuilt her independence with support from family and friends.
She took up archery after Tokyo was chosen to host the Paralympics and finished fifth at the 2021 Tokyo Games.
Caring for a baby brings new challenges, including wishing she could use her hands or walk, but she says seeing the child gives her determination.
She has no firm plans to compete again, but hopes to resume training when circumstances allow and wants her child to see her doing archery.
Aiko Okazaki, a Japanese Paralympic archer who was paralyzed in a 2005 train derailment, has embraced motherhood after giving birth to her first child in March.
The 40-year-old represented Japan at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics and finished fifth.
She says caring for her child brings challenges but also fresh determination.
Okazaki is raising her child in Tokyo and hopes to resume archery training when circumstances allow.
- Who
- Aiko Okazaki, a Japanese Paralympic archer.
- What
- She is raising her first child after giving birth in March. She hopes to resume archery training when circumstances allow.
- When
- She gave birth in March; the year is not stated.
- Where
- She is raising her child in Tokyo.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Okazaki was aboard a commuter train that derailed as she traveled to campus.
After Tokyo was chosen to host the Paralympics, Okazaki decided to take on a new challenge.
Okazaki represented Japan at the Tokyo Paralympics and finished fifth.
Okazaki gave birth to her first child.
- Age
- 40
- Train disaster
- Amagasaki, 2005; 107 people were killed
- Hospital stay
- 377 days
- Paralympics
- Tokyo, 2021; Okazaki finished fifth
- Child
- First child, born in March
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.
One day, I want my child to see me doing archery.
Staying shut away at home wasn't going to get me anywhere. I had to become independent.