Mai Murakami, who was the first Japanese female athlete to win a medal in an individual event in the gymnastics of the Tokyo Olympics and announced her retirement last month, held a press conference and said, "Gymnastics gave me a dream. I want to strengthen my feelings. "
Murakami is 25 years old from Kanagawa prefecture.
With his powerful legs and dynamic performance that makes the most of the spring, he won the bronze medal, which is the first medal in an individual Olympic event as a Japanese female athlete, at the Tokyo Olympics.
He announced his retirement after winning two medals at the World Championships last month, including a gold medal for each event.
On the 8th, Murakami held a press conference at Nippon Sport Science University, where he practiced, and explained why he decided to retire. I was shaken because I lost sight of my goal due to the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics, but I am happy that I was able to win medals at the Olympics and World Championships and retire in the best possible way. "
When asked about gymnastics for himself, he said with a smile, "It's an important thing that changed me, it was a competition that gave me a dream, and I'm glad I met gymnastics. I'm proud to be a player who can break the record." Was there.
And about the future, "Japanese girls have to be stronger. I want many people to feel that I won a medal at the Olympics, so I will tell you what I have learned as a leader from now on. I want to do it, "he said, and revealed that he would be a coach in the gymnastics club of his alma mater.