Shizuka Hangai was forced to leave her home in Iwaki after the disaster on March 11, 2011,, which claimed the lives of more than 15,000 people, and also lost the opportunity of starting a new job because the firm she was due to work for was destroyed.

She instead moved to Chigasaki, where she started training with Naoya Ogawa, the 1992 +95 kilogram Olympic silver medallist.

Hangai's determination not to give up on her London 2012 dream was rewarded when she won the trials in the -52kg category to book her place.

"I didn't have an office to report to or a home to go back to," said Hangai.

"The Great East Japan Earthquake caused suffering to many people.

"But to me, it also brought some new challenges and goals."

Hangai finished third in the -48kg division at the 2010 Asian Para Games at Guangzhou, China, but was not awarded a bronze medal as there were not enough competitors.

Ogawa paid tribute to his pupil, after he presented a special cake to her to celebrate the achievement.


"At the time, everyone was thinking about how to help disaster victims," he said.

"I just did what I was able to do.

"Hangai still needs to have a stronger mentality during matches, but she's in a position where her own efforts can make a significant difference in her life.

"I hope that at the Paralympics she can send a positive message to disaster victims.

"I hope she inspires victims in a way that only she can."

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