Japan's team-based athletes came strong and successful in Athens, as the baseball and softball teams managed to produce two bronze medals.

Among the nation's medalists were freestyle wrestlers Saori Yoshida and Kaori Icho, who both claimed their gold medals in women's wrestling for the first time, and judoka Tadahiro Nomura and Ryoko Tani, who both successfully defended Olympic titles in their respective classes.

Swimmer Kosuke Kitajima became the most successful Japanese athlete in these games, striking a breaststroke double with two golds and adding a bronze to his career hardware for the team in men's medley relay.

[3] Meanwhile, synchronized swimmers Miya Tachibana and Miho Takeda managed to repeat their silver medals from Sydney in both women's duet and team routines.

Takehiro Kashima, Hiroyuki Tomita, and Isao Yoneda claimed two individual medals each in men's artistic gymnastics, including their coveted gold in the team all-around.

On August 29, 2004, the International Olympic Committee stripped off Hungary's Adrián Annus hammer throw title after failing the doping test, and the gold medal was subsequently awarded to Koji Murofushi at the conclusion of the Games, making him the nation's first ever Olympic champion in the field event.

On August 29, 2004, the International Olympic Committee stripped off Hungary's Adrián Annus hammer throw title after failing the doping test.

M = Medal race; OCS = On course side of the starting line; DSQ = Disqualified; DNF = Did not finish; DNS= Did not start; RDG = Redress given Nine Japanese shooters (three men and six women) qualified to compete in the following events: In the final game of the preliminary round, Yukiko Ueno of Japan pitched the first perfect game in Olympic softball history as Japan defeated China 2-0.