Maya Nakanishi

Who is Maya Nakanishi?

Maya Nakanishi is a Paralympic athlete from Japan, competing in category T44 sprint and long jump events. She was born in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, Japan and played soft tennis competitively. In 2006 while working at a paint factory she was stuck by a 5 tonne steel frame. Her right lower leg was amputated below the knee. After finding the transition back to tennis difficult she was encouraged to switch to track and field and quickly found success, setting Japanese records in the F44 category for the 100 and 200 meter events shortly after.

She competed in the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, China, where she placed 4th in the women's 200m - F44 event, and finished sixth in the women's 100 metres. She also competed at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, England, placing 8th in the women's long jump - F42/44 event. She also competed in the women's 100m and 200m events but failed to qualify for the finals.