The wheelchair fencing of the Tokyo Paralympics was held by men and women individually, and for women, Anri Sakurai broke through the qualifying league and advanced to the quarterfinals.
On the 26th, the third day of the Tokyo Paralympics, wheelchair fencing is held by men and women.
In wheelchair fencing, athletes sit in wheelchairs fixed to a device called a fixie and face each other, and unlike fencing, they compete for points by poking the opponent with only the movement of the upper body.
Athletes are divided into two categories, "Category A" with mild disabilities and "Category B" with severe disabilities, depending on the degree of disability for both men and women.
On the 26th, men's and women's epees were held individually, and Sakurai, who participated in women's category B, broke through the qualifying league with 4 wins and 2 losses and advanced to the quarterfinals.
In addition, Michinobu Fujita, who participated in Men's Category B, lost 1-5, and Mieko Matsumoto, who participated in Women's Category A, lost 0-5 in the qualifying league.
Fujita "There was a difference in ability"
Fujita, who lost in the men's individual qualifying league, said, "First of all, I want to thank you for holding the match and letting me out. I wanted to win, but I came to fencing and I was able to move as much as I thought I was in the best condition today. On top of that, I feel that there was a difference in my ability as a result. "
Fujita is planning to participate in the men's Foil individual on the 28th, and he changed his mind, saying, "I'm better at Foil, so I want to accumulate even one win there."
Matsumoto "I want to make use of my experience toward Paris"
Matsumoto, who lost in the women's individual qualifying league, said, "It was the first time in a year and a half for an international match, and I was very nervous until it started. I said with tears.
On top of that, he said, "I want to make use of my experience for the next time in Paris."