Fencing: World championships

Fencing: World championships

(from L) Koki Kano, Masaru Yamada, Seiya Asami and Akira Komata of Japan celebrate after claiming their first men's epee team title at the fencing world championships on July 30, 2025, in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Japanese men's fencing team epee silver medalists (from L) Akira Komata, Kazuyasu Minobe and Koki Kano pose for a photo with their medals at the Paris Olympics Champions Park at the Trocadero in the French capital on Aug. 5, 2024.

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Japanese fencers (from L) Akira Komata, Kazuyasu Minobe, Koki Kano and Masaru Yamada pose during a press conference on Aug. 3, 2024, a day after winning silver in the men's team epee event at the Paris Olympics in Paris.

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Japanese fencers (from L) Kazuyasu Minobe, Masaru Yamada, Akira Komata and Koki Kano celebrate on the podium during the medal awarding ceremony for the men's team epee at the Paris Olympics at the Grand Palais in Paris on Aug. 2, 2024. Japan won silver.

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Japanese fencers (from L) Kazuyasu Minobe, Masaru Yamada, Akira Komata and Koki Kano pose with their men's team epee silver medals at the Paris Olympics at the Grand Palais in Paris on Aug. 2, 2024.

CORRECTED: Paris Olympics: Fencing

CORRECTED: Paris Olympics: Fencing

Japanese fencers (from L) Kazuyasu Minobe, Koki Kano, Masaru Yamada and Akira Komata pose with their men's team epee silver medals at the Paris Olympics at the Grand Palais in Paris on Aug. 2, 2024.

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Japanese fencers (from L) Kazuyasu Minobe, Masaru Yamada, Akira Komata and Koki Kano pose with their men's team epee silver medals at the Paris Olympics at the Grand Palais in Paris on Aug. 2, 2024.

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Japanese fencers (from L) Masaru Yamada, Akira Komata, Koki Kano and Kazuyasu Minobe are pictured after losing to Hungary in the men's team epee final at the Paris Olympics at the Grand Palais in Paris on Aug. 2, 2024.

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Japanese fencers (from L) Kazuyasu Minobe, Masaru Yamada, Koki Kano and Akira Komata are pictured ahead of their gold medal match against Hungary in the men's team epee at the Paris Olympics at the Grand Palais in Paris on Aug. 2, 2024.

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-FENCING(CN)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-FENCING(CN)

(230927) -- HANGZHOU, Sept. 26, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Gold medalist Kano Koki (2nd L) of Japan, silver medalist Komata Akira (1st L) of Japan, bronze medalist Ho Wai Hang of China's Hong Kong and Elmir Alimzhanov of Kazakhstan react during the victory ceremony for the Men's Epee Individual final at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-FENCING(CN)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-FENCING(CN)

(230926) -- HANGZHOU, Sept. 26, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Kano Koki (R) of Japan competes with Komata Akira of Japan during the Men's Epee Individual final at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-FENCING(CN)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-FENCING(CN)

(230926) -- HANGZHOU, Sept. 26, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Kano Koki (R) of Japan competes with Komata Akira of Japan during the Men's Epee Individual final at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-FENCING(CN)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-FENCING(CN)

(230926) -- HANGZHOU, Sept. 26, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Kano Koki (R) of Japan shakes hand with Komata Akira of Japan after the Men's Epee Individual final at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-FENCING(CN)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-FENCING(CN)

(230926) -- HANGZHOU, Sept. 26, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Kano Koki (R) of Japan competes with Komata Akira of Japan during the Men's Epee Individual final at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-FENCING(CN)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-FENCING(CN)

(230926) -- HANGZHOU, Sept. 26, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Kano Koki (R) of Japan competes with Komata Akira of Japan during the Men's Epee Individual final at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-FENCING(CN)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-FENCING(CN)

(230926) -- HANGZHOU, Sept. 26, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Kano Koki (R) of Japan competes with Komata Akira of Japan during the Men's Epee Individual final at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-FENCING(CN)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-FENCING(CN)

(230926) -- HANGZHOU, Sept. 26, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Kano Koki (R) of Japan competes with Komata Akira of Japan during the Men's Epee Individual final at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-FENCING(CN)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-FENCING(CN)

(230926) -- HANGZHOU, Sept. 26, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Kano Koki (R) of Japan competes with Komata Akira of Japan during the Men's Epee Individual final at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-FENCING(CN)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-FENCING(CN)

(230926) -- HANGZHOU, Sept. 26, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Kano Koki (R) of Japan competes with Komata Akira of Japan during the Men's Epee Individual final at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-FENCING(CN)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-FENCING(CN)

(230926) -- HANGZHOU, Sept. 26, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Kano Koki (R) of Japan competes with Komata Akira of Japan during the Men's Epee Individual final at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

Emperor, empress host autumn garden party

Emperor, empress host autumn garden party

TOKYO, Japan - Japan's Emperor Akihito (2nd from L) and Empress Michiko talk with Akira Kano, Sochi Paralympics alpine skiing gold medalist, during an autumn garden party at the Akasaka Imperial Garden in Tokyo on Nov. 2, 2014. Around 2,100 guests were invited to the garden party hosted by the emperor and empress.

Japan's Paralympics medalists at Sochi

Japan's Paralympics medalists at Sochi

SOCHI, Russia - Japanese medalists at the Sochi Winter Paralympic Games - (from L) alpine skiers Taiki Morii, Takeshi Suzuki and Akira Kano, and biathlon and cross-country skier Kozo Kubo - pose with their medals on March 17, 2014, in Sochi, Russia.

Japanese duo Kano, Morii on podium for men's super-G sitting ski

Japanese duo Kano, Morii on podium for men's super-G sitting ski

SOCHI, Russia - Japanese Alpine skiers Akira Kano and Taiki Morii celebrate on the podium at a medal ceremony for the sitting category of the men's super-G competition at the Sochi Winter Paralympics in Russia on March 9, 2014. Kano won the gold medal and Morii got the silver.

Japan's Paralympian Kano wins men's super-G sitting ski gold

Japan's Paralympian Kano wins men's super-G sitting ski gold

SOCHI, Russia - Japanese Alpine skier Akira Kano competes in the sitting category of the men's super-G competition at the Sochi Winter Paralympics in Russia on March 9, 2014. Kano won the gold medal, his second victory in Sochi after striking gold in the sitting category of the men's downhill event the previous day.

Japanese Paralympic alpine skiers arrive in Sochi

Japanese Paralympic alpine skiers arrive in Sochi

SOCHI, Russia - Japanese Paralympic alpine skiers pose at Sochi International Airport in the early hours of March 2, 2014, after arriving in the Russian city for the 2014 Winter Games. (From L) Taiki Morii, captain of the Japanese team, Takeshi Suzuki and Akira Kano.

Vancouver Paralympics come to close

Vancouver Paralympics come to close

WHISTLER, Canada - Japanese athletes who won medals at the Vancouver Paralympic Games -- (from L to R) Taiki Morii, Shoko Ota, Yoshihiro Nitta and Akira Kano -- shake hands during the closing ceremony at Whistler Medals Plaza in Whistler, Canada, on March 21, 2010.

Japan's Kano at 1st, Morii at 3rd in men's super-G sitting event

Japan's Kano at 1st, Morii at 3rd in men's super-G sitting event

WHISTLER, Canada - (From L to R) Silver medalist Martin Braxenthaler of Germany, gold medalist Akira Kano, and bronze medalist Taiki Mori, both from Japan, celebrate on the podium during an awards ceremony for the men's super-G sitting event at the Vancouver Paralympic Games in Whistler, Canada, on March 19, 2010.

Japan's Kano wins gold in men's super-G sitting event

Japan's Kano wins gold in men's super-G sitting event

WHISTLER, Canada - Japan's Akira Kano takes to the air during the men's super-G sitting event at the Vancouver Paralympic Games in Whistler, Canada, on March 19, 2010. Kano won the gold medal.

Japan's Kano at 1st, Morii at 3rd in men's super-G sitting event

Japan's Kano at 1st, Morii at 3rd in men's super-G sitting event

WHISTLER, Canada - Japan's Akira Kano (L) and Taiki Morii hold up their gold and bronze medals, respectively, in the men's super-G sitting event at the Vancouver Paralympic Games in Whistler, Canada, on March 19, 2010.

(SP)CHINA-BEIJING-WINTER PARALYMPICS-ALPINE SKIING-MEN'S DOWNHILL SITTING (CN)

(SP)CHINA-BEIJING-WINTER PARALYMPICS-ALPINE SKIING-MEN'S DOWNHILL SITTING (CN)

(220305) -- BEIJING, March 5, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Akira Kano of Japan competes the Alpine Skiing Men's Downhill Sitting event of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games at the National Alpine Skiing Center in Yanqing District, Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)

Vancouver Paralympics come to close

Vancouver Paralympics come to close

WHISTLER, Canada - Japanese athletes who won medals at the Vancouver Paralympic Games -- (from L to R) Taiki Morii, Shoko Ota, Yoshihiro Nitta and Akira Kano -- shake hands during the closing ceremony at Whistler Medals Plaza in Whistler, Canada, on March 21, 2010. (Kyodo)

Japan's Kano at 1st, Morii at 3rd in men's super-G sitting event

Japan's Kano at 1st, Morii at 3rd in men's super-G sitting event

WHISTLER, Canada - Japan's Akira Kano (L) and Taiki Morii hold up their gold and bronze medals, respectively, in the men's super-G sitting event at the Vancouver Paralympic Games in Whistler, Canada, on March 19, 2010. (Kyodo)

Japan's Kano at 1st, Morii at 3rd in men's super-G sitting event

Japan's Kano at 1st, Morii at 3rd in men's super-G sitting event

WHISTLER, Canada - (From L to R) Silver medalist Martin Braxenthaler of Germany, gold medalist Akira Kano, and bronze medalist Taiki Mori, both from Japan, celebrate on the podium during an awards ceremony for the men's super-G sitting event at the Vancouver Paralympic Games in Whistler, Canada, on March 19, 2010. (Kyodo)

Japan's Kano wins gold in men's super-G sitting event

Japan's Kano wins gold in men's super-G sitting event

WHISTLER, Canada - Japan's Akira Kano takes to the air during the men's super-G sitting event at the Vancouver Paralympic Games in Whistler, Canada, on March 19, 2010. Kano won the gold medal. (Kyodo)

Pyeongchang Paralympics

Pyeongchang Paralympics

Japan's Akira Kano competes in the men's SC sitting super-G alpine skiing event at the Pyeongchang Winter Paralympics in South Korea on March 13, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Pyeongchang Paralympics

Pyeongchang Paralympics

Japan's Akira Kano competes in the men's SC sitting super-G alpine skiing event at the Pyeongchang Winter Paralympics in South Korea on March 13, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Pyeongchang Paralympics

Pyeongchang Paralympics

Japan's Akira Kano competes in the men's SC sitting super-G alpine skiing event at the Pyeongchang Winter Paralympics in South Korea on March 13, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Pyeongchang Paralympics

Pyeongchang Paralympics

Japan's Akira Kano competes in the men's SC sitting super-G alpine skiing event at the Pyeongchang Winter Paralympics in South Korea on March 13, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Pyeongchang Paralympics

Pyeongchang Paralympics

Japan's Akira Kano competes in the men's SC sitting super-G alpine skiing event at the Pyeongchang Winter Paralympics in South Korea on March 13, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Pyeongchang Paralympics

Pyeongchang Paralympics

Japan's Akira Kano competes in the men's SC sitting super-G alpine skiing event at the Pyeongchang Winter Paralympics in South Korea on March 13, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo