Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, March 10, 2026: Dr. Norza Zakaria, President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia, President of the SEA Games Federation and OCA Vice President (Southeast Asia), attended the 4th Coordination Committee meeting for the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 held on March 2-3 in Nagoya, Japan.
During the meeting, Dr. Norza had the pleasure of meeting his counterpart in Japan, Olympian Seiko Hashimoto, President of the Japanese Olympic Committee.
“I am very pleased to have had the opportunity to catch up with Seiko Hashimoto, one of Japan’s most legendary athletes, who has the rare distinction of competing in both the Olympic Winter Games and the Olympic Summer Games,” said Dr. Norza.
“I am truly inspired by her remarkable athletic career. She competed in Speed Skating at three editions of the Olympic Winter Games: Sarajevo 1984, Calgary 1988 and Albertville 1992, where she won a bronze medal in the women’s 1500m.
“Her achievements are equally impressive at the continental level, having won a total of six gold medals in Speed Skating at the Asian Winter Games, including two gold medals at the 1st Asian Winter Games Sapporo 1986 and four gold medals at the 2nd Asian Winter Games Sapporo 1990, making her one of Japan’s most accomplished athletes.
“She is also an extraordinary athlete who excelled in Track Cycling, having competed in the Women’s Sprint at three Olympic Summer Games: Seoul 1988, Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996.
“Her leadership within the Olympic Movement is truly remarkable. She served as Minister of State for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games and as President of the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, playing an important role in supporting the successful organisation of the Games.
“On June 26, 2025, she made history by becoming the first Japanese woman to be elected President of the Japanese Olympic Committee.
“I look forward to further strengthening our collaboration with Seiko Hashimoto and to fostering closer cooperation between NOC Malaysia and Japan in advancing the Olympic Movement within our respective NOCs,” concluded Dr. Norza.
