World Para Swimming is mourning the loss of one of the sport’s greatest champions, Mayumi Narita.
A 15-time Paralympic gold medallist, Narita stands as Japan’s most-successful Paralympian and the fifth most decorated female athlete in Paralympic history across all sports.
Known as the “Queen of the Water” in her country, Narita passed away on Friday (5 September) at the age of 55.
Despite only beginning her swimming journey when she was 23, Narita made an immediate impact. Just three years later, she won five medals at her Paralympic debut in Atlanta 1996, including gold in the women’s 50m and 100m freestyle S4, silver in the 200m freestyle S4 and 50m backstroke S4; and bronze in the 150m individual medley SM4.
Her dominance continued at Sydney 2000, where she claimed six golds and one silver, and reached new heights at Athens 2004. In Greece, Narita set six world records and won seven gold medals and one bronze, becoming the most successful athlete of the Games.
After retiring following Beijing 2008, Narita returned to competition when Tokyo was awarded the 2020 Paralympic Games. She competed at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, and also helped Japan secure gold medal in the mixed 4x50m freestyle relay 20 points at the Indonesia 2018 Asian Para Games.
Narita was one of the torchbearers at the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, which were postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
World Para Swimming extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mayumi Narita, as well as to the Japanese Para Swimming Federation, the National Paralympic Committee of Japan and the entire Para swimming community in Japan.
Mayumi Narita Paralympic medals
Gold Medals
Atlanta 1996
50m freestyle S4
100m freestyle S4
Sydney 2000
50m backstroke S4
50m freestyle S4
100m freestyle S4
150m individual medley SM4
200m freestyle S4
4×50m freestyle relay 20 pts
Athens 2004
50m freestyle S4
50m backstroke S4
50m breaststroke SB3
100m freestyle S4
150m individual medley SM4
200m freestyle S4
4×50m freestyle relay 20 pts
Silver Medals
Atlanta 1996
50m backstroke S4
200m freestyle S4
Sydney 2000
50m breaststroke SB3
Bronze Medals
Atlanta 1996
150m medley SM4
Athens 2004
4×50m medley relay 20 pts