Former badminton player and Rio Olympic gold medalist Ayaka Takahashi attended the 17th Best Mother Award 2025 ceremony held in Tokyo on May 8th. She spoke earnestly about the difference between being an athlete and raising a child.
Takahashi's husband is also a badminton player, Yuki Kaneko. With him also competing overseas, it is normal for her to be raising her child alone.
When asked if her experience as an athlete has helped her in raising children, she said with a wry smile, "I don't think so. In badminton, the results are only as good as the effort you put in, but in raising children, you always hit a wall..."
She continued, "I think I was not good at switching my mood or switching off negative feelings mentally. Even so, it didn't go well, and there were many times when I wanted to see people. If you ask me if being an athlete and raising a child are linked, I don't think there is."
If her eldest daughter were interested in badminton, she replied, "I wouldn't be against it." "Just like my parents allowed me to play badminton, I want her to put all her effort into what she loves. Even if it's not badminton, I want her to find something she loves and enjoy it," she said, showing her motherly kindness.
The award has been selected by the Japan Mothers Association since 2008, and the winners are chosen by votes from mothers across the country. This year's winners were Mori in the entertainment category, Dream Ami in the music category, Sumi Reina in the culture category, former badminton player Takahashi in the sports category, and novelist and essayist Yamazaki Naoko in the literature category.
