Kimie Bessho

Kimie Bessho (別所キミヱ, Bessho Kimie, born 8 December 1947) is a Japanese para table tennis player who competes in international level events. She was a bronze medallist at the 2014 Asian Para Games and has participated at the Summer Paralympics four times, she was also one of the oldest participants to compete at the 2016 Summer Paralympics aged 68 years old. She is often known to wear butterfly hairclips as a superstition for her tournament matches and is referred to as "The Butterfly Lady".

Background Bessho grew up in Hiroshima, Japan as one of eight children. In 2018, she was injured in two more car accidents, but has continued to play table tennis.

Career records 2015 German Open: Singles: 3rd Place 2016 Japan Open: 1st Place 2016 Slovakia Open: 3rd Place 2016 8th Para Table Tennis Championships: 1st Place 2016 Paralympic Games 5th Place 2017 Asian Para Table Tennis Championships (Beijing): 2nd Place 2017 9th Para Table Tennis Championships: 1st Place 2017 Thailand Open: 2nd Place