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Para Swimmer Mayumi Narita Dies at 55, 15 Gold Medals Earned in Career

The Japanese Para Swimming Federation announced Friday that Mayumi Narita, one of Japan’s most celebrated para swimmers, has died at the age of 55 after an illness. A native of Kanagawa Prefecture, Narita competed in four consecutive Paralympic Games from Atlanta in 1996 to Beijing in 2008 before returning in 2015 to race at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021. Excelling in freestyle and backstroke, she became a dominant figure in global para swimming and retired following the Tokyo Games.

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by Michael Gillan Peckitt
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From The Japan News

September 5 2025

TOKYO – Japan’s leading para swimmer Mayumi Narita died on Friday at the age of 55, according to the Japanese Para Swimming Federation.

Narita was recuperating from an illness.

A native of Kanagawa Prefecture, she competed in four consecutive Paralympic Games, starting with the 1996 Atlanta Games. She retired after the 2008 Beijing Games but returned in 2015, competing at the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016 and again at the Tokyo Games in 2021 at the age of 51.

Narita reached the top of the world in freestyle and backstroke, leading the para swimming world. She retired after the Tokyo Games.

1 comment on “Para Swimmer Mayumi Narita Dies at 55, 15 Gold Medals Earned in Career”

  1. Pingback: Para Swimmer Mayumi Narita Dies Aged 55 – Barrier Free Japan

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