profile in English

Early life

Ai Ueda was born and raised in Kyoto, Japan. Her parents are KIMONO painters. She has an older brother who is also a painter. She went to a swimming club with her brother when she was in elementary school. When she was 14 years old, it was by pure chance that she participated in the EKIDEN race in which she became a record holder of the section.

By the time she was in high school, she had switched to track and field from swimming.

Triathlon life

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.” Ever since, she has become known as “the Triathlon Ai.” 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.

Outside of Triathlon

She enjoys painting. You can see her paintings at her japanese website.

She highly respects her parents. Her family gives her great support and power.

NAME

Ai Ueda

Date of Birth

26th October 1983.

PLACE of BIRTH

Kyoto, Japan

NATIONALITY

Japanese

Resides

Chiba, Japan

height, WEIGHT

155cm / 5ft 1inch

44kg / 97pounds

OCCUPATION

Professional Triathlete

STARTED

2002

COACH

Hideki Yamane

SPONSOR

Shaklee

GREEN TOWER

FOLK

SWAT

TYR

JAL

KitaChiba Spine&Sports Clinic

INAGE INTER

Language

Japanese

Interests

Painting

Career Highlights

17th place, 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing

Asian Triathlon Champion, 2005, 2008

4th place, 2008 ITU World Cup Tongyeong

10th place, 2009 World Championship Series Madrid

1th place, 2009 ITU World Cup Huatulco

1th place, 2010 ITU World Cup Huatulco