Asuka Terada stepped away from the track in 2012 as one of Japan's greatest female hurdlers in history, but there was one final obstacle she left unconquered -- representing her country in the Olympics.

With the 2020 Games heading to Tokyo, the former three-time national champion in the 100-meter hurdles is now pursuing an alternative route to Olympic glory by joining Japan's rugby sevens team.

The 27-year-old Terada participated in the national team's training camp in January and passed a subsequent tryout. She was encouraged to try her hand at the sport by her friend Ano Kuwai, who is a member of the Japan women's sevens squad.

After watching national team compete in last year's Rio Olympics, where it was winless in three games, Terada said she believes her skill set can be an asset for Japan on the international stage.

"It was frustrating," Terada told The Japan News. "I thought if I could use my speed to contribute to the national team, I would like to take on that challenge."

While Terada has drawn praise for her athleticism, her next challenge is to bulk up from her current 5-foot-5, 113-pound stature to aid her transition to an unfamiliar, physical sport.

"She has the speed to get around opponents," said Keiko Asami, who coached Japan's sevens team in Rio. "I hope she can add to her frame and become a player who can have success against foreign competition."

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