(Pictured on the podium at the World Championships in her senior year)

Yuka UENO, a graduate of SEISA Kokusai Kawaguchi, has been selected as a candidate for the Japanese National Fencing Team for the Tokyo Olympics. Ms. Ueno was one of the first students to win both the World Cadet Championships and the Junior Championships, and was expected to play an active role in the Olympics.

Ms. Ueno's determination to compete on the world stage, despite the difficult circumstances she is facing, is a source of encouragement to all SEISA students, graduates and staff. We will continue to support her as she competes not only in the Olympics, but on the world stage as well. Please keep your eyes on her!

The candidates for the Japanese Olympic fencing team for the Tokyo Olympics were decided on the 25th. After a break in the selection process due to the spread of the new coronavirus and a freeze in the international rankings, all of the qualifying events were completed last month. The decision was approved at a board meeting of the Japan Association on the same day.

From Nikkan Sports Newspapers/

The athletes are listed as "candidates" because they have not yet been notified of their quotas by the International Federation or officially recognized by the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC). A total of 21 athletes were announced, including the full squad (8 self-selected and 8 from the host country) and the reserve squad (5 from the team competition, excluding the women's épée).

Women's Fleurette: Yuka UENO (19, Chuo University)

“I am very happy to have been selected for the Olympic Games in Japan. The postponement of the last Olympic race due to the coronavirus made it difficult for me to keep my motivation and I was worried at times, but the fact that the Olympic Games were postponed instead of cancelled helped me to change my mind from negative to positive. With only three months to go, I will prepare for the Olympics with no regrets and hope to win a medal. I also want to bring a bit of cheer to the people who support me in my hometown of Oita, and to the people of Japan who have been darkened by the Corona disaster.”