Yoshiko Sugiura

Keiko Sugiura (Inagi City Hometown Athlete)

Certification Date

December 7, 2024 (Saturday)

Department

Para-cycling Athlete

Profile

Born on December 26, 1970. As of December 2024, residing in the city.

Career

• Affiliation: Sogo Medical Co., Ltd. TEAM EMMA Cycling
• Strengthening Athletes of the Japan Para-Cycling Federation
• April 2016: Fell during a road race, recovered to a level where daily life is possible, but residual high-level brain function disorder and right-sided paralysis remain.
• Started competing as a para athlete since 2017
• October 2024 - Received the Tokyo Metropolitan Honor Award and the Tokyo Citizens' Sports Award
• December 2024 - Received the Inagi City Citizen Honor Award

Main Achievements

• 2021 Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Cycling Women's Individual Road Time Trial (C1-3) 1st place, Women's Individual Road Race (C1-3) 1st place
• 2024 Paris 2024 Paralympics Cycling Women's Individual Road Race (C1-3) 1st Place
• 2025 94th All Japan Cycling Championships Track Race Para-cycling 1km Time Trial (WC3) World Record

Interview (From the Disability Week Talk Event held on December 7, 2024)

What are the attractions of Inagi City?

There is a user-friendly municipal gym, and when I want to ride a bicycle, there is a cycling road nearby. Regular buses run within the city, making it a very livable town. Thanks to that, I am able to live my life as myself.

Many acquaintances use the One Main Line Road as a training base for bicycle racing. Being able to quickly get to the practice meeting place is the main reason for moving in.

What does it feel like to be recognized as a hometown athlete?

We are truly grateful to be recognized among the many athletes in Inagi City.

What is the appeal of bicycle racing?

At first, I didn't understand what was fun about it either, but I think it's interesting to watch along the roadside because even if you're not strong, there's a chance to win, and in road racing, you can win depending on the course layout and strategy. Also, when you manage to go far on your own power, there's an incredible sense of accomplishment.

Do you have an ideal vision for the future?

As a pharmacist, I have seen various patients and believe that sports are effective in preventing dementia and lifestyle-related diseases. I hope to engage in activities that can extend everyone's healthy life expectancy through the promotion of sports.