Waseda University alumni Shuko Aoyama (affiliated with Kondo Milk Products Co., Ltd., graduated from the School of Sports Sciences in 2010) has been informally selected to represent Japan in women’s doubles at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Qualification for the women’s and men’s doubles in the Olympics was decided based on the world rankings, released on June 14, for each pair that has stated their intention to enter. On June 29, the Japan Tennis Association announced via a notification from the International Tennis Federation (ITF) that the pair of Aoyama and Ena Shibahara (affiliated with HASHIMOTO SOGYO Ltd.) had qualified for the Olympics. This will be the first time that Aoyama competes in an Olympic Games.
Shuko Aoyama (left) informally selected as a representative; April 2021 at the Miami Open, in Miami, Florida, USA (USA TODAY and Reuters; Kyodo News)
Profile
Shuko Aoyama:
Born in 1987, she grew up in Tokyo and graduated from Waseda University’s School of Sports Sciences in 2010. She began participating in matches in elementary school. She won the singles and doubles in the All-Japan Intercollegiate Tennis Championship while still a student at Waseda University. She became a professional in 2010, gaining her first victory in the WTA Citi Women’s Open Tour doubles in 2012. She is ranked 13th in the world (her personal best as of June 30).
