Wrestler Kaori Icho on Tuesday requsted more time to decide on competing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday, when she received a Guiness World Records certificate for her Olympian feats.
Asked about her plans for 2020 at the award ceremony, Icho, who is currently studying to be a coach, said she was uncertain about her future path.
"I don't know whether it will be as a coach or an athlete, but I want to have a clear answer (to that question) as I head into the Tokyo Olympics," she said. "Please bear with me a little longer."
Icho, 33, was recognized as the first female Olympian to win four straight gold medals in an individual event and the first four-time Olympic women's wrestling champion, but she downplayed her achievements.
"It doesn't strike me as if I've done something remarkable," Icho said at the ceremony. "This is just a product of purely liking wrestling and continuing to pursue it."
Icho also revealed she's drawing inspiration from 14-year-old shogi star Sota Fujii. The youngest professional player in the world of traditional Japanese chess, Fujii on Monday won a record 29th consecutive professional match.
"I think he is just driving for it trying to take on the challenge. Hopefully I can keep tackling many things, too," Icho said.
