Takahiro Shikine, second from left, Yudai Nagano, third from left, and Yoshikazu Minobe, third from right, pose for photos at the Takasaki city office in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, on Monday.
16:13 JST, August 20, 2024
TAKASAKI — Three Japanese fencing medalists at the Paris Olympics received bonuses totaling ¥250 million from the company they belong to on Monday.
The three fencers are Takahiro Shikine, 26, Yudai Nagano, 25, and Kazuyasu Minobe, 37. They received the award from Nexus Co., an entertainment company based in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture.
Shikine and Nagano, who won gold in the men’s foil team at the Paris Olympics, each received ¥100 million, and Minobe, silver medalist in the men’s epee team, received ¥50 million. The sums are extraordinary compared to the Japanese Olympic Committee’s ¥5 million for gold, ¥2 million for silver and ¥1 million for bronze.
On Monday, the three attended meetings at Takasaki City Hall and Gunma Prefectural Office.
“I was surprised by the size of the prize money. I want to eat something delicious,” Nagano told reporters.
“I shouldn’t be too happy with the result [at the Games]“I will do my best to win gold in both the individual and team events at the Log Angeles Games,” said Shikine.
“I got this money when I was pursuing my dream,” Minobe said. “I hope I can motivate kids who are starting fencing.”
