Two months after that, she followed up by winning her eighth straight title in her class at the International Women's Judo Championship in Fukuoka. Now all Yawara-chan wants is to add a fourth major victory before polishing her throws for the Sydney Olympics. Dazzling performances are also expected in synchronized swimming, that odd combination of stamina and balletic grace. The Japanese were golden in both team and individual events in Hiroshima, and took a bronze medal for the team event at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. Ever synchronized, Tachibaya says her triumph would not have been any less sweet if it had been for a team effort.
Women are also strong contenders on the track, especially in long-distance events.
Many corporations such as carmaker Toyota put top athletes on their payrolls. After all, it is a very cost-effective way of publicizing the company name. A rebel, Arimori rejects such rules and insists that sports people be free to take on paid TV work. Japan's women athletes, it seems, are making strides in the financial stakes too. All Rights Reserved.