Foil fencers Sera and Rio Azuma are helping each other sharpen their skills during the coronavirus pandemic, and hoping to see big results at the postponed Tokyo Olympics next year.
The sisters returned to their parents' home in Wakayama Prefecture in late March as infections spiked across Japan. They've been fortunate in that they have been able to continuing practicing, with athletes’ training opportunities limited by the country's state of emergency declaration that was extended Monday to May 31.
Sera, 20, and Rio, 21, have pledged to "level up" their abilities while enjoying a friendly rivalry over the coming year.