A random search of the common Japanese surname "Sato" brought up hundreds of results, many of them for people living in Sendai — the city that faced the brunt of the thunderous body of rolling water.

Japan's Mai Sato defended her title as the women's champion, and Duncan West of Australia won in men's.

Mari Sato is hurting, but as a Japanese woman, she is doing her best to be reserved and dignified, prized by society as admirable qualities.