Momoka Muraoka won the silver medal in the women’s alpine skiing super-G sitting event at the Milan-Cortina Paralympics on Monday, bringing Japan its first medal of the ongoing games. Despite failing to win back-to-back gold medals in the event, Muraoka secured a podium finish for the third consecutive Winter Paralympics.
The modifications to the arena, which dates back around 2,000 years, include ramps, protective railings and, after the games, an elevator. The work has been undertaken as part of some 20 million euros ($23 million) worth of improvements funded by the Italian government to enhance accessibility throughout Verona.
The modifications to the arena, which dates back around 2,000 years, include ramps, protective railings and, after the games, an elevator. The work has been undertaken as part of some 20 million euros ($23 million) worth of improvements funded by the Italian government to enhance accessibility throughout Verona.
The Milano-Cortina Winter Paralympic Games kicked off Friday with an opening ceremony at an amphitheater in Verona, a UNESCO world heritage city in northern Italy. Over 600 athletes from a record 55 countries and regions will vie for medals in 79 events across six sports at the first winter Paralympics in Italy since the 2006 Turin Games. A total of 44 Japanese athletes will compete in all six sports, making it the largest Japanese delegation for a winter Paralympic Games held outside of Japan. Considering the burden of travel caused by the dispersed venues, each country and region was encouraged to have only two athletes attend the opening ceremony. Snowboarder Junta Kosuda and curling player Aki Ogawa carried the Japanese flag in the ceremony. Japanese Paralympians are just three medals shy of reaching a 100 cumulative medals won at the Winter Games. The country netted 24 medals at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics held last month, a record high for the Winter Olympics.
Japan’s biggest Winter Paralympic delegation in decades will take part in the Milan Cortina Games from Friday, with competitors in multiple events tipped to bring home medals.
The Winter Paralympics, which run through March 15, are Italy’s first since Torino 2006 and mark the 50th anniversary of the games. More than 600 athletes are expected to compete in 79 events in six sports.
Japan’s wheelchair curling mixed doubles team opened the country’s campaign at the Milan Cortina Paralympics on Wednesday, ahead of the official start of the international sporting event later this week. Aki Ogawa, 50, and Yoji Nakajima, 61, lost 10-3 to China in their opening round-robin match after surrendering an early lead and allowing their opponents to steadily extend the margin. Admitting she was unable to overcome the pressure, Ogawa said after the match at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, “It is a pleasure to play the sport I love on such a stage.”
Japan is fielding 44 athletes across all six sports, its largest overseas delegation to a Winter Paralympics, surpassed only by the 70 at the 1998 Nagano Games.
After winning gold four years ago in Beijing, Japanese Para cross-country skier Taiki Kawayoke has adopted a new game plan as he targets a return to the top of the podium at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics, opening Friday.
With one week to go until the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games open on March 6, Japan is preparing for its 11th appearance at the Winter Paralympics, carrying a proud legacy in the competition. Since making its debut at the Innsbruck 1988 Paralympic Winter Games, Japan has won a total of 97 medals – 27 gold, 33 silver and 37 bronze – establishing itself as a consistent force in winter para sports.
With one week to go until the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games open on March 6, Japan is preparing for its 11th appearance at the Winter Paralympics, carrying a proud legacy in the competition. Since making its debut at the Innsbruck 1988 Paralympic Winter Games, Japan has won a total of 97 medals – 27 gold, 33 silver and 37 bronze – establishing itself as a consistent force in winter para sports.
Barrier Free Japan