News

Momoka Muraoka, a third-year student at Waseda’s School of Sport Sciences who served as flag bearer for the Japanese national team, came in second place for the women’s alpine skiing slalom (sitting) with the time of 2:01.19 on March 18. Muraoka stood on the podium for all the events she competed in and took home five medals, the most number of medals won by a Japanese athlete in one winter game.

Congratulations Momoka!

Muraoka’s achievements in PyeongChang

• Won five medals in one game, the most number of medals won by a Japanese athlete in one winter Paralympic game
• Became the youngest Japanese athlete to win the gold medal in a winter Paralympic game
• Became the first women athlete to win the gold medal in a winter Paralympic game since Turin 2006
• Became the first Japanese athlete to win all gold, silver, and bronze medals in one winter Paralympic game since Nagano 1998
• Became the first Waseda student athlete to compete in a winter Paralympic game
• Ties with Junichi Kawai 05’, a swimmer who competed in the Athens Paralympic Games, in terms of the most number of medals won by a Waseda student athlete (five medals)

From Waseda University President Kaoru Kamata

“Congratulations on winning five medals in the PyeongChang Winter Paralympic Games. Your dedication leading up to winning these medals has touched the hearts of many fans and supporters. Your graceful and dignified manner as a second-time competitor in the Paralympics and flag bearer for the Japanese national team is a great model Waseda students should follow, and I am very proud of you. I hope you will continue to do your best in academics and sports, and look forward to your further success.”