A Hiroshima University student who competed in the women’s 100-meter hurdles at the Tokyo Olympics paid a courtesy call on HU President Ochi last September 2.

Ayako Kimura, a master’s student at the HU Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, was accompanied by her supervisor, Professor Hiroshi Sekiya, during the visit.

President Ochi, who specializes in knee joint surgery and has interacted with many of the world’s top athletes, commented, “I wish more and more students like Ms. Kimura will excel in other fields besides academics. I hope you will continue to broaden your horizons beyond athletics.”

“Interacting with students is refreshing, and I learn a lot from them,” said Kimura regarding her life at graduate school. Kimura is currently researching the environment surrounding athletes and aims to engage in work to support athletes in their competitions in the future.

This year’s Olympic Games was Kimura’s second time to join as an athlete following London 2012.