Nagoya, Japan, April 11, 2026: Two-time Olympic judo champion Ayumi Tanimoto was the star of the show at an event to promote the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya this year.
Tanimoto, 44, won the 63kg gold medal at the Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and retains her status as a national and regional icon, having been born at Anjo City in Aichi Prefecture.
Tanimoto was joined at the event by Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games badminton bronze medallist Noriko Ito, also from Aichi Prefecture, and badminton coach Aika Nagai, who has worked with the Mongolian Badminton Federation as part of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) initiative.
The Asian Games promo event - entitled “The potential of sport - Preparing for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games” - was part of the photo exhibition "Sport for Peace - The power of sport illuminates the future” in Nagoya City.
The trio spoke about their careers in their respective sports, as a double Olympic champion, Paralympic bronze medallist and overseas coach.
Additionally, the audience was treated to judo and badminton displays, with Asian Games mascot Honohon taking on Tanimoto in an entertaining judo contest.
“The participants were overwhelmed by the power of judo throwing techniques and the speed of badminton rallies,” organising committee AINAGOC reported.
The 20th Asian Games will run from September 19 to October 4 and will be followed by the Asian Para Games.
(AINAGOC)
