Kagura

神楽

Kagura's name is derived from a Shinto ritual: the kanji for Kagura (神楽) translates to "entertainment of the gods." This term was historically used to describe traditional music performed at shrines and the Imperial Court. Kagura also appears briefly as an anthropologist in Kazuhisa Todayama's work, Classroom of Thesis; From the Report to the Graduation Thesis, which references several other characters from Azumanga Daioh.
Although she appears earlier as one of Nyamo's students, Kagura does not become a true acquaintance of the group until later, when she joins Yukari's class in the second year (Yukari selects her as a ringer to win the school athletic competitions). She devotes most of her time to the swim team but is a well-rounded athlete. Due to her dedication to swimming, Kagura develops rather pronounced tan lines during the summer months, which friends like Osaka are quick to point out.
She also maintains a one-sided rivalry with Sakaki, attempting to outdo her in everything, whether playing softball, sprinting, or even eating lunch. This dynamic was introduced to the rest of the cast during the first year's field day, when she was defeated by Sakaki in a running event. Upon their next meeting, Kagura decides to make Sakaki her rival, yet she also makes continuous attempts to be a good friend to her. Unfortunately for Kagura, Sakaki is a natural athlete (and does not remember anything about running against Kagura during the first Athletics Fest, which stuns Kagura) and defeats her in almost everything except stamina events. Like her would-be rival, she is sometimes embarrassed when Tomo calls attention to her large breasts.