MAEDA (left) and NAKATANI (right) share a smile during play (Photo: AFLO SPORT)
MAEDA Rio, a third-year student in the School of Commerce, and NAKATANI Sakura, a third-year student in the School of Political Science and Economics, won the gold medal in the women’s team event at the 20th Asian Games (Aichi-Nagoya 2026), held from September 18 to 20 at Higashiyama Park Tennis Center in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture.
In the women’s team final on September 20, Japan faced Taiwan. With the first two matches resulting in one win and one loss, Maeda and Nakatani teamed up for the decisive third match. With a victory securing the gold medal for Japan, the pair delivered an outstanding performance, defeating the Taiwanese pair 5–0. Their victory played a key role in helping Japan win its third consecutive gold medal in the event.