Japanese Olympic judoka, Natsumi Kawada, has decided to freeze her eggs after the Summer Olympics. The decision is a part of her personal life strategy, acknowledging the finite timeline for a professional female athlete's peak physical performance, and the simultaneous ticking biological clock. Kawada's decision brings light to the considerations female athletes must make regarding their futures, balancing prolific sports careers and the potential of motherhood.
In Japan, this announcement might spark debate and discussions since it pertains to the societal expectations around women, sports and fertility. In a country where career women are often expected to put family life on hold, Kawada's decision may challenge existing norms or ignite conversations about female athletes' rights to balance career and potential motherhood.
In countries like the US or the EU, fertility treatments like egg freezing are becoming increasingly common for professional women who want to focus on their careers first. Many female athletes in these countries have already taken this route for similar reasons, making Kawada's decision relatable and less controversial by comparison.