Ai Shibata (柴田 亜衣, Shibata Ai, born May 14, 1982) is a Japanese swimmer. At the 2004 Summer Olympics, she won the gold medal in the 800 meter freestyle race.[1] She was the first ever female gold medalist for Japan in a freestyle event.[2] She attended the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya.[3] In 2008 Shibata announced her retirement.[2]

Ai Shibata
Personal information
Full nameAi Shibata
Nationality Japan
Born (1982-05-14) 14 May 1982 (age 42)
Dazaifu, Fukuoka
Height1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Sport
SportSwimming
Strokesfreestyle
College teamNational Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya
Medal record
Women's swimming
Representing  Japan
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2004 Athens 800 m freestyle
World Championships (LC)
Silver medal – second place 2005 Montreal 400 m freestyle
Bronze medal – third place 2005 Montreal 800 m freestyle
Bronze medal – third place 2007 Melbourne 400 m freestyle
Bronze medal – third place 2007 Melbourne 1500 m freestyle
Pan Pacific Championships
Gold medal – first place 2006 Victoria 400 m freestyle
Silver medal – second place 2006 Victoria 800 m freestyle
Bronze medal – third place 2006 Victoria 1500 m freestyle
Bronze medal – third place 2006 Victoria 4×200 m freestyle

References

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  1. ^ "プロフィール 柴田 亜衣" (in Japanese). Japanese Olympic Committee. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Swimmer Shibata Announces Retirement". The Japan Times. December 12, 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  3. ^ "柴田亜衣(競泳女子金メダリスト) 遊び半分の言葉 現実に". Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). December 22, 2004. Retrieved August 24, 2018.