Nakagawa Anna’s FRIDAYReport] Fencer Misaki Emura reveals her thoughts on the “culmination of her career at the next Olympics

A unique blonde Olympic medalist appears!
From how she deals with her mental health to her thoughts on the next Olympics, which she calls “the culmination of her career.
She also revealed her thoughts on the next Olympics, which she describes as “the culmination of all my hard work.

I have become more conscious of how I can be in a good mood on the day of the games. As a result, I realized that it directly affects my performance in matches. I value being in a good mood both in the short and long term…

-I was able to learn the importance of resting and switching things up as my fencing-soaked days reached their limits and began to take a toll on my body.

Guest: Misaki Emura (27), women’s fencing sabre fencer

Focus on “now,” “here,” and “myself

Nakagawa: Even so, I think you still get nervous before a competition, but what do you usually do?

Emura: I use a method that I learned from my mental health teacher. He, too, emphasizes the importance of being in a good mood. The first thing he taught me was to write down the value of a good mood. In my case, it could be that my legs move well or that I don’t get tired easily. There should be various advantages for each person.

Nakagawa I want to write them down now too.

Emura When I get frustrated, I become aware of that state. And don’t think it’s no good just because I notice it. Anyway, I remind myself of the value of a good mood.

Nakagawa You try not to deny yourself. Concentrate on switching over.

Emura When I think that it is a loss just to be irritated, I can switch over. Another method is to concentrate on “now,” “here,” and “myself. It is not about the past or the future, but about “now,” “here,” and “myself,” because only I can control these things. There is no point in thinking about the future, like “What if we lose?

Nakagawa: Mr. Emura is in a captain’s position in the group. Isn’t it difficult to be a top player and also coach the younger players?　Don’t you feel that you still want to be active and aim for the top, and that you can’t simply hand over the position to your juniors?　This was my story when I was a member of the bureau (laughs).

Emura That is an ongoing issue for me as well. While I still feel that we cannot afford to lose, we also need to raise the morale of the team. It will be tough if everyone doesn’t think a little more about the overall situation. There were times when I was really mentally drained by that. It is no good if I disrupt the pace, so I am practicing three specific ways of thinking to reduce stress.

Nakagawa: Please tell us about them.

Emura: “Support rather than expectation,” “Understanding rather than agreement,” and “Difference rather than right and wrong. These are the three. For example, when I give someone attention or guidance, I do not “expect” that they will improve afterwards. And even if you don’t agree with the other person’s argument, you should show “understanding. There is no end to disputes over right and wrong, so the first step is to acknowledge the “difference.

Nakagawa: This is a method that all middle managers should know. Frankly speaking, there was a time when I thought the easiest stance to take when dealing with junior staff and subordinates was “indifference.

Emura: Confronting others takes a lot of energy. It also takes a lot of energy to deal with people who are younger than you.

Nakagawa I wondered if I would become a noisy old lady if I pointed this out.

Emura There are times when I wish I had never said anything. So, I don’t mean to draw a line, but I feel that I am comfortable working in a group if I keep the balance that I have just described.

The next Olympics will be the culmination

Nakagawa: Finally, are you strongly aware of the next Olympics at this point?

Emura Of course, it is the biggest one.

Nakagawa: How are you adjusting your mindset right now?

Emura: The result is important, but the most fulfilling moment for me as an athlete is when I am enjoying the moment when I am competing. The bigger the stage, the more fulfilled I feel. I regret that I was not able to do so in Paris. I have not won a gold medal in the Olympics. There has been no gold medal in the history of Japanese women’s fencing. I think I would like to accomplish something that others have not achieved. This may be my last Olympics in terms of age and career. I will think about what to do after the Olympics, so I would like to make it my last attempt as a culmination of my career.

Nakagawa: A little over two years to go. Do you feel it is long?

Emura: I think it will go by quickly. The way I feel about time has changed from when I was cramming in practice and pushing myself hard.

Nakagawa, Anna

In talking with Emura this time, I was particularly struck by his words, “I want to enjoy the real thing.

He said, “The most fulfilling situation is when you are enjoying the moment when you are fighting.” Only those who have put in the appropriate amount of effort and time in preparation can reach that level.

I too, right before a nerve-wracking job, think, “Okay, I’m ready to enjoy the rest of it! But if I am left with even the slightest anxiety or worry, I will not have the presence of mind to do so.

If I try to force myself to enjoy myself, I may even end up looking like a goofy, joking person.

Before heading off to an important performance, people around you may say to you, “Have fun!” but in fact, I believe that is a very difficult thing to do and a feeling that can only be experienced by those who have prepared without regret.

I felt her strong determination for her third Olympics from her calm smile and straight eyes.

Misaki Emura / Born in Oita Prefecture. After graduating from the Faculty of Law at Chuo University in 2009, she became Japan’s first professional fencing athlete. She won a bronze medal in the team competition at the Paris Olympics in 2012, and was the first Japanese female fencer in the history of women’s sabre to be ranked No. 1 in the International Fencing Federation rankings for the 2024-2025 season.

Nakagawa: Born in Tokyo, Nakagawa spent her childhood in Finland and Puerto Rico. Spent her childhood in Finland and Puerto Rico. Joined NHK as an announcer in 2004 and worked as a local anchor for “Sunday Sports” and the Paris Olympics.” After leaving NHK in the spring of 2013, she joined the entertainment agency Horipro and worked as a freelance announcer and TV personality.

From the May 1-8, 2026 issue of FRIDAY