Speed Skater Miho Takagi Receives Japan's People's Honor Award

Japanese speed skater Miho Takagi received the People's Honor Award from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at a ceremony in Tokyo on August 4, in recognition of her achievements as the most decorated Japanese woman in Olympic history with 10 medals

"I am honored to receive such a prestigious award, and at the same time feel it is more than I deserve," Miho, 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 award is the first given to a speed skater and a day after Miho 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. She won her two gold medals in the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games at the team pursuit event with her older sister Nana and in the 1,000m at the Beijing Winter Games in 2022.

Key Highlights:

• Miho Takagi becomes the first speed skater to receive Japan's People's Honor Award
• She retires as Japan's most decorated female Olympian with 10 medals
• Takagi holds the women's 1,500m world record and has 38 World Cup wins

She captured three bronze medals in the 500 meters, 1,000 meters and team pursuit at the Olympics in Milan in February. She has also won 38 individual World Cups during her career, and owns the women's speed skating world record in 1,500m.

Reflecting on Miho's achievements, Sanae 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."

Miho 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."

Miho 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.

Beyond her Olympic success, Miho established herself as one of the greatest speed skaters of her generation. She claimed 38 individual ISU World Cup victories—the most by any Japanese speed skater—and continues to hold the women's 1,500-meter world record. Her achievements across sprint and middle-distance events earned her recognition as one of Japan's most accomplished winter sports athletes.