The calendar, whose pictures were taken by professional photographer Takao Ochi, shows 27-year-old Maya Nakanishi in virtually naked yet tasteful poses.

She hope to use any money from the scheme to buy a new prosthetic leg, which will help her achieve her goal of winning a medal in London. 

On her official blog, Nakanishi expresses hope people will enjoy the calendar.

"I don't regret the shots," she said.

"I'm very happy that I was able to show off my body just as it is."



Nakanishi's right leg was amputated below the knee at age 21 after being struck by a steel beam in an accident.

A former recreational tennis player, she decided to become a sprinter after doctors attached a prosthetic limb, finishing fourth in the 200 meters and sixth in the 100m at the Beijing Paralympics four years ago.

Nakanishi decided to launch the calendar after she was forced to miss last year's International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Championships in Christchurch because of a lack of funding despite being among the favourites for a medal.

She hopes to compete in the 100m, 200m and long jump at London 2012. 

Nakanishi trains in the United States under her coach Al Joyner, the husband of the late Florence Griffith-Joyner, the world record holder for the 100m who won three gold medals at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. 


She moved there after Beijing.

"Since I had never lost in Japan, I underestimated what it would be like against the rest of the world [in Beijing]," she said.

"I realised very keenly that if I were to put myself in the tough international environment, unless I strengthened myself mentally, I would never be able to win there."

She hopes that if she makes it to London and is successful it will help change attitudes in Japan.

"I want to raise awareness about sport for persons with a disability in Japan, and establish it as a culture rooted in our society," she said.

"I feel as if I have to pave the way for athletes with a disability who come after me." 

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