1 year until the Tokyo Paralympics "Legend" in Japan 15:13 on August 22
One year before the opening of the Tokyo Paralympics.
I heard my determination to “Legend” of Japan to the big stage held in my country.
Regaining the gold medal Wheelchair tennis Shingo Kunieda
Wheelchair Tennis Shingo Kunieda is eager to regain the gold medal for the first time in two tournaments and improve the popularity of the competition.
35-year-old Kunieda, who was 9 years old, suffered from spinal illness and suffered from both legs.
With wheelchair handling called chairwork, accurate shots, and tenacity, the “legend” of the wheelchair world that reigned the throne for the first time in 2006 when it ranked first in the world ranking and counted 22 singles championships in the four major tournaments. "is.
He has participated in the Paralympic Games for four consecutive games.
We won the men's singles second straight victory in Beijing meeting and London meeting.
However, the last Rio de Janeiro tournament, which was operated by operating the right elbow, lost in the best 8 and missed the medal.
To that end, Kunieda changed the form of the backhand drastically so as not to put a burden on his elbow, saying “If this is not enough,” he adopted an aggressive attack such as net play.
Last year, he won the Australian and French Open of the four major tournaments, and returned to the world ranking No. 1 for the first time in about two and a half years.
In addition, last year I won the Asian Para Games, so I quickly gained the right to participate in the Tokyo Games. I revealed it.
On top of that, Kunieda said, “After all, I want to get a gold medal. And I want to increase the popularity of wheelchair tennis. I want you to see that the top play is so amazing. I think the name of“ Kunieda ”is well known, If you do n’t tell them what kind of play you ’ll do, you wo n’t lead to a true fan acquisition. ”
“Carefully and personally” Table Tennis Kimibe Bessho
Table tennis Kimi Bessho is aiming for the fifth Paralympic participation at the age of 72.
Bessho participated in the Paralympic Games in a wheelchair class for 4 consecutive tournaments. Not only play, but also the trademark butterfly hair ornaments are attracting attention.
Last year I was injured due to a traffic accident and was unable to participate in the international tournament, but this month at the international tournament in Tokyo, I decided a good shot to drop a mountain ball near the net at the game. Runner up and showed signs of recovery.
The Tokyo Paralympics will be given to the top players in the world rankings as of March next year, so Bessho will continue to advance to international competitions in order to raise the 8th place as much as possible.
Bessho said to the Tokyo Paralympics, “I have to win a lot and earn points now. However, if I feel confused, my shoulders will stiffen, and I would like to have fun, so I want to have fun. This aunt is still working hard. I want to appeal to the world and clear every single game. ”
Also, for the Tokyo Paralympics, I wanted to make a new hair ornament for the butterfly, so I said, “I want to renew and flutter with just a butterfly, and show me a new one. "
“If you can swim in a loud cheer ...” Mayumi Narita
“Legend” which has won 15 gold medals so far in the swimming race, Mayumi Narita has a special feeling for the Tokyo tournament at the age of 50.
Narita who has a disability in the lower body due to myelitis in junior high school.
He started swimming in the early 20s, and the Paralympic team participated in 5 tournaments, including the Atlanta tournament and Rio de Janeiro tournament.
The number of gold medals won is the highest number of Japanese players in all Paralympic competitions.
As a 48-year-old, we practice hard every day at the pool in Yokohama.
Narita said about Tokyo Paralympic participation: “I do n’t think I ’ll still be there in a year, but I think there ’s no Paralympics that will be held at the age of 50 in my own country. It ’s going to be very emotional. ”
Narita, who also serves as the board of directors of the tournament organizing committee, said, “I think that the year will come in no time, but barrier-free is still delayed. The environment surrounding the tournament will lead to a more livable city. I want you to move even more barrier-free because I think, ”he also said that the tournament would make it a place where people with disabilities could live.