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Japanese Alpine Skier Claims Silver to Become Nation’s Most Decorated Winter Paralympian

MILAN, Mar 12, 2026 (News On Japan) - Momoka Muraoka secured a silver medal in the women’s sitting giant slalom on March 12th, the seventh day of the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics, bringing her career total to 11 medals—the most ever won by a Japanese athlete at the Winter Paralympics.

The 29-year-old alpine skier, who represents Toyota Motor, surpassed the previous Japanese record held by alpine skier Kuniko Obinata.

Muraoka lost the use of her legs in childhood due to a spinal cord illness but has since established herself as one of Japan’s leading Paralympic athletes. At the previous Beijing Games, she won three events and emerged as the team’s ace.

Her silver in the giant slalom marks her second podium finish at the current Games, following another silver in the super-G. It is also the third consecutive Winter Paralympics in which Muraoka has won multiple medals.

Source: Kyodo

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