Momoka Muraoka wins silver, Japan’s first medal of the Games
At the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics, Japan’s ace Momoka Muraoka (Toyota Motor Corporation)
won the silver medal in the women’s sitting super-G in para alpine skiing.
It marked Japan’s first medal of these Games.
A podium finish in her comeback race after injury
Muraoka had fractured her left clavicle before the Games, and entered this Paralympics as a comeback race while still managing the effects of the injury.
Even so, she produced a world-class run and secured a superb podium finish with a steady performance.
It became a valuable medal that gives momentum to Japan’s Paralympic team.
A third consecutive Paralympic podium
With this result, Muraoka has now reached the podium at
- the 2018 PyeongChang Paralympics
- the 2022 Beijing Paralympics
- the 2026 Milano Cortina Paralympics
for three consecutive Paralympic Games.
It was another clear demonstration of her status as one of the leading athletes in Japan’s Winter Paralympic history.
The ace of Japan’s Paralympic team
Muraoka won five medals, including one gold, at the 2018 PyeongChang Paralympics,
instantly becoming one of the central stars of Japanese para sports.
She also captured gold at the 2022 Beijing Paralympics,
and has continued to perform at a world-class level for many years.
At the Tokyo Paralympics, she also competed in wheelchair athletics,
and is known as an athlete who has competed in both the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games.
Will this spark a Japanese medal rush?
Muraoka’s silver medal has given momentum to the Japanese team.
At the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics, Japan has 44 athletes competing,
and expectations are now rising for a potential medal rush in the days ahead.
An early podium from the team’s ace could become a major boost for Japan throughout the Games.
