is a Japanese

Japanese people

The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...

 Olympic and Asian record-holding swimmer. She swam in the 2004

Japan at the 2004 Summer Olympics

Japan competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. The delegation of athletes and officials was represented by the Japanese Olympic Committee.-Medalists:-Archery:Men's individual:* Hiroshi Yamamoto - silver medal...

 and 2008 Olympic Games

Japan at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Japan competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, People's Republic of China. The delegation of athletes and officials were represented by the Japanese Olympic Committee.The list of qualified entries for Japan is shown...

, winning the bronze medals in the 200m backstroke at both editions.

At the 2008 Olympics

Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics was held over a thirteen day period from August 9 to August 21, with the conventional events ending on August 17 and the new marathon 10 km events being held on August 20 and 21...

, Nakamura set the Asian Records and Japanese Records in both the 100 and 200 backstrokes (59.36 and 2:07.13).

At the 2007 World Championships

Swimming at the 2007 World Aquatics Championships

The swimming competition at the 2007 World Aquatics Championships was held in Melbourne, Australia, from 25 March to 1 April.Morning/heats sessions began at 10:00 a.m., with the evening sessions beginning at 7:00 p.m. All events were contested in a long-course pool...

, she swam to a new Japanese Record in the 100 back (1:00.40) in finishing third. Eight days later, she lowered the mark to 1:00.29 in winning the 2007 Japan Championships.