From medals to pedals: Japan Olympic fencer turns to food delivery

With the Olympics postponed due to the coronavirus, top Japanese fencer Ryo Miyake has swapped his metal mask and foil for a bike and backpack as a Tokyo UberEats deliveryman.

The 29-year-old, who won silver in the team foil at the 2012 London Olympics and was itching to compete in a home Games, says the job keeps him in shape physically and mentally -- and brings in much-needed cash.

"I started this for two reasons -- to save money for travelling (to future competitions) and to keep myself in physical shape," he told AFP.

"I see how much I am earning on the phone, but the number is not just money for me. It's a score to keep me going."
"No one knows how the qualification process will go. Pretending everything is OK for the competition is simply irresponsible."
- 'What do I live for?' - =========================
"Is the Olympics really needed in the first place? Then what do I live for if not for the sport? That is what I kept thinking."
- 'I love fencing' - ====================
"I need to be ready physically and financially for the moment. That is my biggest mission now."
"It's like finally getting to the end of a 42-kilometre marathon and then being told you have to keep going."