In the heart of the thought to the dead rival Boccia Rei Kawamoto August 22 17:56

Boccia Japan's representative Kyosuke Kawamoto aiming for next year's Tokyo Paralympics.
The first big stage we have in our heart is the “feelings for the dead rivals”, both of which aim for the Paralympic Games.

Boccia is a competition in which red and blue balls are thrown toward a white target.
There are 6 balls.
When all the throws are finished, the number of balls closer to the opponent is scored.

Yusuke Kawamoto is 20 years old.
It is a progressive intractable disease, muscular dystrophy, and is the most severe disorder class in Boccia.
“I couldn't play various sports, so the only thing I could find was Boccia.”

Boccia plays with equipment.
A precise calculation of “accurate shots” is a characteristic.

Thoughts on the dead rivals

Kawamoto is aiming for the first Paralympic Games. Supporting the fighting days is the promise of competing “rivals”.

The rival is Daiki Takasaka who has been competing in Boccia since childhood. We were aiming for a world stage together with the same intractable diseases.

(Left: Daiki Takasaka Right: Junsuke Kawamoto)

However, Takasaka's medical condition deteriorated rapidly two years ago. In mid-dream, died at the age of 21.

Kawamoto is shocked.

I came to think that "I will continue to do my best to succeed in my role, Takasaka-kun.

Play against Rio gold medalist

July international competition.
It was a 6-day long hall that affected the Tokyo Paralympics.

The biggest hill is a battle with the gold medalist of the Rio de Janeiro tournament.
Kawamoto was an opponent who had never won in the past.

Still, Kawamoto did not win.

The final end greeted with a tie.
In a disadvantageous situation where the opponent's ball was blocked, one ball rolled with a strong feeling blew the opponent's ball.

I won my first victory against a gold medalist and deepened my confidence towards the Tokyo Paralympic Games, which I swore to my rivals.

Kawamoto who finished 4th in this tournament.
“It's not an exaggeration to say that we are doing it right now for 2020. We are working hard towards it now so that we can stand firmly on the starting line.”