A smile that wins hearts and minds

Mami Sato (pictured), 26, is known for a smile that exudes warmth and confidence. The Paralympian says that smile comes from her positive attitude toward life, which she then attributes to sport.

Seven years ago, Sato was diagnosed with the malignant bone cancer osteosarcoma in her right leg, which she later had to amputate beneath the knee in 2002. Back then, she was a commerce major at Japan's prestigious Waseda University and an active member of the university's cheerleading club. At the time, she often asked her mother why she had to be the one to go through all these obstacles.

But her mother always encouraged her.