TOKYO - Speed skater Miho Takagi, who won a record 10 Olympic medals for a Japanese woman, received the People's Honor Award from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at an event in Tokyo on Tuesday.
"I am honored to receive such a prestigious award, and at the same time feel it is more than I deserve," Takagi, 32, told reporters after the ceremony at the prime minister's office. She said she accepts it "not just as an individual, but as a representative of speed skating."
The honor, the first for a speed skater, comes after Takagi announced her retirement in April. Her career saw her compete in four Olympic Winter Games and win two gold, four silver and four bronze medals to make her the most decorated Japanese female athlete in summer or winter games.
The Hokkaido native made her Olympic debut aged 15 at the 2010 Vancouver Games. Her two gold medals came in the women's team pursuit, which she won with her older sister Nana at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games, and in the 1,000 meters at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games.
At February's Milan Cortina Olympic Games, she won three bronze medals in the 500 meters, 1,000 meters, and team pursuit. She also secured 38 individual World Cup wins in her career and holds the women's speedskating world record at 1,500 meters.
Reflecting on Takagi's achievements, Takaichi said in presenting the award that the athlete had "accomplished a historic achievement, giving people across the country dreams and inspiration while bringing hope and courage to society."
Takagi was also given a large box containing a commemorative set of 10 cooking knives, each engraved with her name and the award title.
The Japanese speed skating legend said she had wanted the set as she has been spending more time at her parents' home in retirement and thought the knives would create "opportunities to cook together."
Takagi is the 29th recipient of the award established in 1977. It has been given to 28 individuals and one group in recognition for their achievements in sports, entertainment and culture.
The last person to receive the award was wheelchair tennis player Shingo Kunieda, who was honored in March 2023.
