Japan's national team fencers are fired up for the upcoming Asian Championships as they seek to earn spots in the team competitions at next year's Tokyo Olympics.
"Team competitions are more important at the Olympics," Japan Fencing Federation managing director Nobusuke Miyawaki said on Wednesday during a news conference at Chiba Port Arena, which will serve as the venue for the June 13-18 Asian Championships.
"If you clinch a spot in the Olympic team competition, you can automatically earn a spot in your individual competition as well. With that in mind, we would like our athletes to win in their team competitions, becoming the best in Asia."