Ayaka Ito

Position: Crew
Born: December 2003
Hometown: Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan

She has always loved the ocean, and inspired by her father who was a sailor, she joined a trial session of the university sailing club upon entering Rikkyo University. Moved by the breathtaking view she experienced that day, she decided to join the Rikkyo University Sailing Team and began sailing in the 470 class.
Unlike her partner Isozaki, who had been involved in competitive sailing since his junior years, she came from a completely different background—having been in the dance club during high school with no prior sailing experience. However, thanks to her strong athletic ability and a tall frame of nearly 175cm, she was selected as a development athlete by the Olympic Strengthening Committee in just her second year.

In her third year, she participated in her first overseas event—the 470 Junior European Championship—where she advanced to the medal race finals, a remarkable achievement for a first-time international competitor. Domestically, she also placed 3rd at the Enoshima Olympic Week and 9th at the All Japan 470 Championships—an exceptional record for someone who started competitive sailing at the university level.

Her impressive performances and high potential caught the eye of Isozaki, who approached her to form a pair aiming for the LA 2028 Olympics. With a bright personality and unwavering determination, she is now striving toward the Olympic podium.
Since forming their partnership, she has shown rapid improvement, constantly surprising Isozaki with her progress. The day her name echoes across the world is surely just around the corner.

(Photo: Kazushige Nakajima / Text: M.M.)