Yui Ohashi became the first Japanese woman in history to win two golds at the same Summer Olympics when she completed a double of the individual medley swimming events on Wednesday.
Ohashi came out on a top of a mad dash in the final lap of the 200-meter medley, winning in 2 minutes 08.52 seconds to add to the gold she won in the 400-meter race on Sunday.
Ohashi's triumph came a short time after Tomoru Honda won the silver medal in the men's 200 butterfly, which extended Japan's streak of medaling in that event to five straight Olympics.
Ohashi came off the final turn in a group of four swimmers virtually lined up together across the pool, setting up a fierce rush to get to the opposite wall first.
Ohashi managed to touch first, edging American Alex Walsh by just 0.13 seconds. Kate Douglass of the U.S. won the bronze in 2:09.04 ahead of Britain's Abbie Wood as just 0.63 seconds separated the top four.
"My body actually stopped at the end," said Ohashi, acknowledging that she expended every bit of energy during the final spurt.
The historic double thrusts the 25-year-old into star status in her first Olympics. The victory came three days after she won her first gold in a grueling event she described as "leaving me so gassed it makes my body hurt."
Ohashi's biggest concern in the past was a lack of confidence, but recently she has been letting slip comments that indicated growing self-esteem, such as "I can afford to relax."
Even during the fatiguing schedule of heats and finals and occasional instances of anxiety, she maintained her focus on the tasks at hand.
Although known for her elegant swimming style that makes best use of her long limbs, she had lacked physical and mental toughness. In her first appearance at the world championships in 2017, Ohashi won the silver at the 200 IM, but came away empty-handed from the 400 race, which is her stronger event.
It showed a lack of ambition to aim higher because she was satisfied with one result. The Olympics were not yet on her radar.
"It doesn't matter to those who are not interested," Ohashi once said of the Olympics. "Even if you win a gold medal, once you start out in society, it might not be such a big deal."
Eventually, her outlook began to change, and now with a pair of Olympic golds, she has proven to herself that she could overcome her own self-doubts.
"It really boosts my confidence to have such a good performance on such a big stage," she said.
At one point as a collegian, she was suffering from anemia and seriously questioning whether she wanted to continue her swimming career. Overcoming such adversity eventually led to the two Olympic gold medals hanging from her neck.
--Teen Honda extends streak
Meanwhile in the men's 200 butterfly, Honda put on a furious spurt to pass two other swimmers in the final 50 meters and take the silver in 1 minute 53.73 seconds, after which he joyfully pumped his right fist in the air toward his teammates sitting in the stands.
Hungary's Kristof Milak won the gold in an Olympic record 1:51.25.
Still only 19, Honda helped Japan preserve its streak of medaling in the men's 200 butterfly at every Olympics dating back to the 2004 Athens Games, while also giving a needed boost to a men's team that has been underperforming in Tokyo.
"I'm so happy," he said. "Nobody wanted to enjoy it more than me, and I had more fun than anyone from the time I entered the arena."
Honda also has a mental toughness that allows him to declare: "I've never messed up at a major meet."
Honda showed his boldness after the race, flashing peace signs and flexing his muscles for the world photographers.
Tomoru Honda pumps his fist after finishing second in the men's 200 butterfly on Wednesday.
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