OU student wins gold at the vocational skills contests for persons with disabilities (Abilympics)

OHKAWA Kimika (3rd year, School of Human Sciences) won a gold medal in the Word Processing Division at the 41st National Abilympics.

With a win at Abilympics Osaka 2021 (preliminary contest) on July 3, 2021, Ms. Ohkawa advanced to the National Abilympics on December 18, 2021, taking the gold medal in the competition against 38 other individuals who had advanced through their regional competitions.

She accomplished a splendid feat in the fiercely competitive division in which many professionals working at corporations participated. She is the first OU student to participate in and win at the National Abilympics.

On January 14, 2022, OHKAWA Kimika reported her gold medal victory to President NISHIO Shojiro.

President Nishio expressed his congratulations and respect for Ms. Ohkawa’s gold medal victory, while Ms. Ohkawa talked about balancing her studies with practicing for the competition. After enjoying talks through a sign language interpreter, they had their photos taken.

With the hope of participating in the International Abilympics, a competition held every 4 years (the next International Abilympics to be held in Russia is currently postponed due to COVID-19), Ms. Ohkawa will participate in the National Abilympics in 2023 or 2024 as an invited competitor. If she wins the contest, she can participate in the International Abilympics.

Best of luck to Ms. Ohkawa!

Campus Life and Career Support Division, Department of Education and Student Affairs