in table tennis. Fukuhara also qualified for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where she lost a close semi-final against Germany with her team and later won bronze together with Kasumi Ishikawa and Mima Ito on her side by defeating the team from Singapore. She was also playing for Japan in the Singles event and reached 4th place after losing against Li Xiaoxia and losing in the game for bronze against Kim Song-i. Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games Ai Fukuhara won Table Tennis Women's Doubles with Kasumi Ishikawa. ITTF Kuwait Open 2010 The Kuwait Open 2010 would be Ai's most fruitful competition at that time. On the way to the finals, she caused numerous upsets. Starting off, she upset China by defeating Guo Yue. Later on, she played Singapore's Wang Yuegu, where Ai eventually won 4–2. After two shocking wins, Ai went on to cause another upset to China by beating the experienced top-spin specialist, Guo Yan. In the highly lauded and suspenseful final, she nearly defeated China's top seed Liu Shiwen, but lost 3–4. ITTF Japan Open 2013 Fukuhara, who at that time was world number 15, beat two highly rated Chinese opponents on the way to the final before eventually overcoming Moon Hyunjung (KOR) 11-7, 11-5, 13-11, 11-8 to clinch the 2013 Japan Open title. “This is the first time I won the Japan Open, an event which is very special to me. I am very happy to win such a big event in front of so many people. The reason that I won today was the spectators, especially the ones that have followed my whole career.” Retirement Fukuhara announced her retirement in October 2018. Fukahara called Ding Ning her role model in a heartfelt social media post following Ding's announced retirement in 2021. Popularity Her first name, Ai, means "love" and she is often referred to as "Ai-chan" (愛ちゃん) in Japan. Her youth and talent have made her a popular sports star in Japan. Fukuhara has appeared in two Japanese table tennis video games, including Ikuze! Onsen Takkyū!! (Do it! Hot Spring Table Tennis!!), released on 21 December 2001 and Fukuhara Ai No Takkyū Icchokusen (Ai Fukuhara's Table Tennis), released on 24 June 2004, both for the PlayStation 2. She carried the Olympic flame when it traveled to Tokyo in 2004. She carried the torch once again for the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008,