Japanese pair 5th in women's kayak double 500-meter final

Japanese pair 5th in women's kayak double 500-meter final

BEIJING, China - Japan's Shinobu Kitamoto (R) and Mikiko Takeya in action on their way to fifth place in the women's kayak double 500-meter final at the Beijing Olympic Games on Aug. 23.

Olympics: Japan quartet 6th in kayak four final

Olympics: Japan quartet 6th in kayak four final

BEIJING, China - Japan's (L to R) Shinobu Kitamoto, Ayaka Kuno, Mikiko Takeya and Yumiko Suzuki in action during the women's kayak four 500 meters final of the Beijing Olympics at Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park on Aug. 22. Japan finished sixth, its best Olympic showing in the event.

Japan's Kitamoto, Takeya win Kayak double 500m semifinal

Japan's Kitamoto, Takeya win Kayak double 500m semifinal

BEIJING, China - Japan's Shinobu Kitamoto (front) and Mikiko Takeya paddle to victory in a Kayak double 500m women's semifinal in the Beijing Olympic Games at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park on Aug. 21.

Japan wins bronze in women's kayak fours 500-m

Japan wins bronze in women's kayak fours 500-m

PUSAN, South Korea - Japan wins bronze in the women's kayak fours 500 meters in the Asian Games in Pusan on Oct. 12. (From L to R) Shinobu Kitamoto, Miho Adachi, Mikiko Takeya and Yumiko Suzuki. (Asian Games)

Japan wins bronze in women's kayak fours 500-m

Japan wins bronze in women's kayak fours 500-m

PUSAN, South Korea - Japan wins bronze in the women's kayak fours 500 meters in the Asian Games in Pusan on Oct. 12. (From L to R) Shinobu Kitamoto, Miho Adachi, Mikiko Takeya and Yumiko Suzuki. (Asian Games) (Kyodo)

Japanese pair 5th in women's kayak double 500-meter final

Japanese pair 5th in women's kayak double 500-meter final

BEIJING, China - Japan's Shinobu Kitamoto (R) and Mikiko Takeya in action on their way to fifth place in the women's kayak double 500-meter final at the Beijing Olympic Games on Aug. 23. (Kyodo)

Japan's Kitamoto, Takeya win Kayak double 500m semifinal

Japan's Kitamoto, Takeya win Kayak double 500m semifinal

BEIJING, China - Japan's Shinobu Kitamoto (front) and Mikiko Takeya paddle to victory in a Kayak double 500m women's semifinal in the Beijing Olympic Games at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park on Aug. 21. (Kyodo)