is a Japanese swimmer. At the 2004 Summer Olympics, she won the gold medal in the 800 meter freestyle race. She was the first ever female gold medalist for Japan in a freestyle event. She attended the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya. In 2008 Shibata announced her retirement. References 1982 births Living people Olympic swimmers of Japan Swimmers at the 2004 Summer Olympics Swimmers at the 2008 Summer Olympics Olympic gold medalists for Japan Japanese female freestyle swimmers World Aquatics Championships medalists in swimming People from Dazaifu, Fukuoka Medalists at the 2004 Summer Olympics Olympic gold medalists in swimming Recipients of the Medal with Purple Ribbon Sportspeople from Fukuoka Prefecture