After three years of rigorous training, Nanako Fujita realized her childhood dream at age 18 by becoming a jockey this year.
Fujita is one of the six applicants who passed the Japan Racing Association's fiscal 2016 test to obtain a jockey license and became its first female rider in 16 years.
"I've been waiting for this day ever since I started aspiring to become a jockey in the sixth grade," Fujita said.