Medalist Ota lands sweet job

Written by Writer on Friday, October 24th, 2008

Medalist Ota lands sweet job

Olympic fencing medalist Yuki Ota is ready to take a stab at the business world.

Ota, Japan’s first-ever Olympic medalist in fencing, announced Thursday he had accepted a job at major confectionary manufacturer Morinaga, which will provide support to allow him to continue his fencing career at least through the 2012 London Olympics.

The silver medalist in the men’s foil at the Beijing Olympics, Ota will work in the product development section while continuing his training in the sport, which, before his success, had a very low profile in Japan.

Ota, who will turn 23 next month, graduated from Doshisha University last spring, but put off looking for a job to focus on his Olympic preparations.

“Everyone around me was looking for a job and there were times when I wondered if I was doing the right thing,” Ota said at a press conference at the National Training Center in Tokyo.

Ota has had a relationship with Morinaga since his senior year of high school, when the company supported him by providing nutritional products.

“So many people supported me…” said Ota, who teared up at the memory.

After competing at the All Japan championships in December, Ota plans to compete in eight or nine meets, including five on the Grand Prix circuit.

“I’m sure I will also grow as a human being,” Ota said.
(Oct. 24, 2008)