Flagbearer Emura vows to ‘fight without regrets’; World No. 1 targets medals at Paris Olympics

PARIS — Fencer Misaki Emura waved the Japanese national flag on Friday during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris as one of two designated flag bearers for the Japanese delegation.

Among her Japanese compatriots, Emura’s golden hair stood out as she waved to spectators from the boat.

“I hope the way I compete without regrets will inspire people,” said Emura, a 25-year-old favorite for a medal.

Emura was born into a family of fencers—both of her parents represented Japan. She joined the Japanese Olympic Committee’s Elite Academy Program, which trains future Olympians from high school onward, and spent her days fencing.

In her Olympic debut at the Tokyo Games, Emura was eliminated in the third round of the women’s individual sabre competition and finished fifth in the team competition. “With a little more effort, I could have won,” she thought.

After the Games, she trained non-stop. This left her feeling burned out. She found it hard to stand on the track and sometimes she even cried.

Emura then realized that she had to be honest with her mind and body. After that, she no longer felt guilty about taking time off from training and was finally able to find a balance between competition and her personal life.

“I learned the way of thinking that is necessary for life,” she recalls.

At the World Championships in July 2022, Emura became Japan’s first gold medalist in individual sabre, while also becoming the first Japanese woman to win a world championship title in fencing. She defended her title in 2023 and is now ranked No. 1 in the world.

Meanwhile, Emura has also attracted public attention outside the world of sports, winning a special award at the Miss Japan Grandprix 2023. She has also been appointed brand ambassador for leading French fashion house Dior.

Emura said she expanded her activities because she wants to expose young athletes to new possibilities and to increase the visibility of fencing.

Emura is set to compete in her second Olympics, this time in the birthplace of fencing. “Once again, I realized that I am here today thanks to the support of many people,” she said after the opening ceremony. “I want to show my gratitude through my performance.”