Dr. Norza ZAKARIA, President of NOC Malaysia, President of SEAGF and Vice President of OCA for Southeast Asia Zone, attended the 4th Coordination Committee Meeting for the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, held on 2nd and 3rd March 2026 in Nagoya, Japan.
During the meeting, Dr. Norza ZAKARIA had the pleasure of meeting his counterpart in Japan, Mdm. Seiko HASHIMOTO OLY, President of NOC Japan.
“I am very pleased to have the opportunity to catch up with Seiko HASHIMOTO OLY, one of Japan’s most legendary athletes, who has had the rare distinction of competing in both the Olympic Winter Games and the Olympic Summer Games” said Dr. Norza ZAKARIA.
“I am truly inspired by her remarkable athletic career. She competed in Speed Skating at 3 editions of the Olympic Winter Games: Sarajevo 1984, Calgary 1988 and Albertville 1992, where she won a bronze medal in the Women’s 1500m event in her third Olympic Winter Games appearance”.
“Her achievements are equally impressive at the continental level, having won a total of 6 gold medals in Speed Skating events at the Asian Winter Games, including 2 gold medals at the 1st Asian Winter Games Sapporo 1986 and 4 gold medals at the 2nd Asian Winter Games Sapporo 1990, making her one of Japan’s most accomplished athletes”.
“She is also an extraordinary athlete who excelled in Track Cycling, having competed in the Women’s Sprint events at 3 editions of the Olympic Summer Games: Seoul 1988, Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996”.
“Her leadership within the Olympic Movement is truly remarkable. She served as the Minister of State for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games and President of Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, playing an important role in supporting the successful organisation of the Games”.
“On 26th June 2025, she made history by becoming the first Japanese woman to be elected President of the Japanese Olympic Committee”.
“I look forward to further strengthening our collaboration with Seiko HASHIMOTO OLY and to fostering closer cooperation between NOC Malaysia and Japan in advancing the Olympic Movement within our respective NOCs” concluded Dr. Norza ZAKARIA.
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- Dr. Norza ZAKARIA (left) and Mdm. Seiko HASHIMOTO OLY (right).
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- Dr. Norza ZAKARIA speaking during the 4th Coordination Committee Meeting, held on 2nd March 2026.
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- Dr. Norza ZAKARIA speaking during the 4th Coordination Committee Meeting, held on 2nd March 2026.
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- Dr. Norza ZAKARIA speaking during the 4th Coordination Committee Meeting, held on 2nd March 2026.
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- Group photograph taken prior to the Coordination Committee Meeting for the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 held on 2nd March 2026.
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- L-R: Dr. Norza ZAKARIA, Mdm. Seiko HASHIMOTO and Mr. TRAN Van Manh.
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- Dr. Norza ZAKARIA (left) and Mr. TRAN Van Manh (left).
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- Group photograph taken prior to the welcome reception held on the evening of 2nd March 2026.
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- Dr. Norza ZAKARIA enjoying the Japanese cultural performance during the welcome reception.
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- Dr. Norza ZAKARIA enjoying the Japanese cultural performance during the welcome reception.
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- Dr. Norza ZAKARIA speaking during the 4th Coordination Committee Meeting, held on 3rd March 2026.
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- Dr. Norza ZAKARIA speaking during the 4th Coordination Committee Meeting, held on 3rd March 2026.
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- Dr. Norza ZAKARIA speaking during the 4th Coordination Committee Meeting, held on 3rd March 2026.
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- Dr. Norza ZAKARIA speaking during the 4th Coordination Committee Meeting, held on 3rd March 2026.
