Milano Cortina 2026: Japan's Momoka Muraoka on facing new challenges

When asked how Para sport has changed her life, Japanese Para alpine skier Momoka Muraoka took a moment to think and formulate her answer.

“Para sport has turned my life around, 180 degrees,” Muraoka said. “I am not an extroverted person; I’m rather introverted. I don’t feel comfortable taking on new challenges or entering new environments.”

But through Para sport, she has pushed herself to move out of her comfort zone.

Muraoka has travelled around the world to compete and has taken on many challenges, including competing at the Paralympics in two sports - Para alpine skiing and Para athletics. Known as the ‘Queen of Winter’ in Japan, Muraoka is now a five-time Paralympian, a 10-time Paralympic medallist, and a four-time gold medallist.

At the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, Muraoka made her competitive return after fracturing her collarbone in November last year. On 9 March, the Japanese star captured a medal in her first race - silver in the women's super-G sitting event. Muraoka finished 6.32 seconds behind Spain's Paralympic debutant Audrey Pascual Seco. 

“My injury was not fully recovered yet, and the doctor told me not to fall. Before the race, I felt I cannot fall and I cannot be injured anymore,” Muraoka said.

“The course itself was very tough and difficult. I was so nervous. I'm happy to finish."

Facing fear

While Muraoka's campaign at Milano Cortina 2026 has not been a smooth ride, especially as she had to miss out on the downhill race on Day 1 to focus on her best disciplines, she is no stranger to facing challenges and overcoming them. 

Ever since she discovered Para sports during her elementary school years, Muraoka said she had dreamed of competing at the Paralympics one day. She has used a wheelchair since age four, and initially took up wheelchair racing as a hobby before finding her passion in Para alpine skiing.

So, when the dream was realised and she qualified for Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, she felt like she was going to a “big festival.” She was 17 and one of the youngest athletes on the Japanese delegation.

 “I was so happy when I learnt that I could compete," Muraoka said in an interview last year.

“But as my race approached, the atmosphere of the venue and the event started to sink in, and suddenly everything felt real to me. I became overwhelmed with fear. I felt the intensity and pressure of the Games more than the excitement.”

The ending to her Paralympic debut was bittersweet, Muraoka said. Fifth place in the women’s giant slalom sitting was her best finish in Sochi, and she remembers watching athletes celebrate on the podium on her last day of competition.

“When I saw the medal ceremony up close, it was dazzling. At the same time, I felt a surge of frustration and fighting spirit,” she said. “I was determined to win a medal at the next Paralympics, and for the next four years, that goal was the only thing I focused on.”

The fear of competing at the Paralympics hasn’t changed, even though Muraoka has gone on to compete at PyeongChang 2018, Tokyo 2020, and Beijing 2022 - and now Milano Cortina 2026.

At PyeongChang 2018, she won a medal in all five of her events. She set the record for the most medals won at a single Paralympic Winter Games by a Japanese athlete.

“I won a silver and two bronze medals in my first three events in PyeongChang, and gold was the only colour missing,” Muraoka said.

She won that gold in giant slalom, her favourite event, finishing more than two seconds ahead of Dutch silver medallist Lina van Impelen at the Jeongseon Alpine Centre.

“The gold medal was the result of four years of trial and error, and taking the challenge head-on. I still remember how happy I was.”

Slopes and tracks

After PyeongChang 2018, Muraoka shifted her focus to wheelchair racing in the hope of making her Summer Games debut at Tokyo 2020. Competing at an elite level was a huge challenge, she said.

“Even though I had won medals at the Winter Paralympics, when I first entered the world of Para athletics, my coach checked my body and told me that I was not in physical condition to even race in the 100 metres.

“The physical demands and muscles I had to use were completely different between the two sports. Strengthening my body was by far the toughest part,” Muraoka said. “Entering the world of Para athletics was a huge step for me. It showed me how tough it is to start and do everything on my own.”

She qualified for her first Summer Paralympics and made her debut in the women’s 100m T54, where she finished sixth. Because of the one-year postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, she had only six months to prepare for Beijing 2022.

She did not disappoint at those Games, claiming three gold and one silver medal in the women’s sitting category.

Road to Paralympic glory

So, what does it take to become a Paralympic champion? Muraoka says it’s determination.

“I think that having a strong mind, technique, and body is a given – it's the foundation. On top of that, what truly matters is the mindset with which you face the sport,” Muraoka said.

“For me, almost every aspect of my life is connected to my sport. I live thinking that everything, including what I eat and how I sleep, is part of my training. It’s about whether you are willing to dedicate yourself to that level.”

Muraoka says there are more painful and tough moments in sport than moments of joy.

“There are times when I feel like crying, when I feel sad and frustrated, and I ask myself, ‘Why am I doing this?’ I think that’s the reality of competing at the top level,” she said.

“But I’ve been able to continue because I find small joys in competing, in being at the Paralympics, or in the determination to race at big events and pursue big results.”

Muraoka took time off from Para alpine skiing after Beijing 2022 to try to qualify for the Paris 2024 Paralympics. But after falling short, she returned to the slopes for the 2024–2025 season.

“When you win a gold medal, it really feels like the time you spend – four years or even more – is worth it.”