Junko Hirose

Started: She began judo at age 11, and took up Para judo in 2012. (parasapo.tokyo, 18 Mar 2021; sports.nhk.or.jp, 17 Jul 2019; Athlete, 01 Apr 2016) Reason: She was inspired to take up judo after reading a manga that featured the sport. (smbcnikko.co.jp, Oct 2020; Athlete, 01 Apr 2016) Ambition: To win a gold medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (kry.co.jp, 18 Feb 2024) Awards: In 2018 she received the Kagayaki Matsuyama Grand Award in Japan. (city.matsuyama.ehime.jp, 20 Jul 2018) In 2016 she was presented with the Matsuyama Culture and Sports Honorary Award in Japan. (city.matsuyama.ehime.jp, 20 Jul 2018) In 2016 she received the Ehime Culture and Sports Award in Japan. (ebc.co.jp, 21 Mar 2017) In 2016 she received the Kyoto Sports Highest Honorary Award in Japan. (city.kyoto.lg.jp, 01 Nov 2016) Additional Info: MOTIVATION FOR PARIS 2024 She considered retiring from competition after the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, where she lost her bronze medal match in the -57kg category. However, she decided to use the disappointment as motivation ahead of the 2024 Games in Paris. "Having lost in the bronze medal match, I used the memory to help me to become a stronger judoka." (kry.co.jp, 24 Oct 2023) JUDO HUSBAND She met her husband, fellow Japanese Para judoka Haruka Hirose, in 2013 at a tournament in Colorado Springs, CO, United States of America. The couple married in 2015. "We had a long-distance relationship at first. Therefore, I told him, 'If a distance is a problem, I will go to Ehime [in Japan], so please marry me'. At that time, I wasn't sure whether I would be able to continue my sporting career there, but it was okay just to be with him. Even if training is intense, I feel assured that Haruka is with me. I would've quit judo if my husband was not with me." (smbcnikko.co.jp, Oct 2020; Para Do Fuji TV, 24 Aug 2020; Nippon Challenged Athlete Radio, 19 Feb 2018)

Sporting Relatives: Her husband Haruka Hirose represented Japan in judo at the 2008, 2016, and 2020 editions of the Paralympic Games. He has also served as her personal coach. (SportsDeskOnline, 04 Mar 2024; kry.co.jp, 24 Oct 2023)