MOSCOW -- Alina Zagitova, the gold medalist in women's figure skating at the Pyeongchang Olympics, received an Akita dog as a gift at a ceremony in Moscow on Saturday.
The 3-month-old female, born in Daisen in the prefecture, was presented in response to the Russian star's strong wish to own one. She named the dog "Masaru" because it means victory in Japanese.
During the presentation ceremony at a hotel in the Russian capital, Zagitova said she had looked forward to the day. "I will cherish the Akita dog," she said.
Zagitova received the dog from Takashi Endo, president of the Akita Prefecture-based Akita dog preservation society and a member of the House of Representatives. She immediately began holding and patting the puppy.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife Akie attended the ceremony during their visit to Moscow, highlighting the friendly ties between the two countries.
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