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Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka made history by being the first player of Asian origin to hold the world number one rank in singles. Osaka made headlines when in 2021, she withdrew from the French Open after refusing to be part of a press conference to protect her mental health.
One of the most promising young wrestlers from Japan, Kanako Urai, better known as Asuka and Kana (previously), has been making a name for herself as part of the WWE. Known for her multi-colored hair, she is a Grand Slam Champion, and holds the NXT, Raw, and SmackDown Women’s titles.
WWE wrestler and actor Kaori Housako, better known as Kairi Sane, initially represented Japanese women’s wrestling promotion Stardom, as Kairi Hojo, and also won many honors, such as the Artist of Stardom. She is also skilled in yachting, holds a degree in Japanese literature, and has taught Japanese in Cambodia.
At age 2, Sadako Sasaki survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, being just 2km away from the bombing site. However, years later, she developed leukemia, as an aftermath of the bombing. While in hospital, battling the terminal disease, she folded over 1,000 origami cranes, in the hope of getting better.
Mari Osaka is a Japanese tennis player. In 2014, she made her WTA Tour debut at the Bank of the West Classic, partnering with Marina Shamayko in the doubles event. A few years later, she made her WTA Tour singles debut at the 2019 Miami Open. Her sister, Naomi Osaka, is also a tennis player.
Japanese wrestler Masami Odate, better known by her pseudonym, Io Shirai, performs for WWE and is a former NXT Women's Champion. Japanese newspaper Tokyo Sports named her the top female wrestler of the year thrice. She is best known for her trademark moonsaults, springboard dropkicks, and hurricanranas.
Yuka Saso is a Philippine-born Japanese golfer. She won two gold medals for the Philippines at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, becoming the first golfer to win gold medals for the Philippines in both women's team event and women's individual in the history of Asian Games golf competitions. In 2022, Yuka Saso started representing Japan.
Syuri is a Japanese kickboxer, shoot boxer, professional wrestler, and mixed martial artist. Syuri, who has competed in popular promotions like the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), is currently working for a Japanese women's wrestling promotion called World Wonder Ring Stardom. Over the course of her career, Syuri has won many championships at various promotions.
