After graduating high school in the spring of 2002, she moved from Kyoto to Chiba so as to strengthen her abilities in Triathlon. That same year, she became the Junior Asian Champion. Since 2003, she has been an Elite Triathlete.

In 2005, she was ranked 1st in Japan. She won a silver medal in the 2006 the Asian Games in Doha. The Japanese press took her up as, “Ai the IRON GIRL”, “Ai is strong, but small and cute like a japanese hybrid compact car.” In 2007, she won the gold medal in the Japan Championships.

In the 2008 Asian Triathlon Championship, she dramatically came from behind to win. Her bold and aggressive run won her way to the Olympics. The spectators are always carried away by her performance.

Ai has had a long and successful career with 40 podiums and 23 wins and most recently taking 5th place at the 2017 ITU World Triathlon Leeds.

Recent Highlights

- 5th place at the 2017 ITU World Triathlon Leeds;
- 8th place at the 2017 ITU World Triathlon Gold Coast;
- 19th place at the 2017 New Plymouth ITU Triathlon World Cup;
- 5th place at the 2017 ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi; and
- 39th place at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.