Wheelchair tennis Shingo Kunieda August 26, 19:32 as the “challenge”
Next year Shingo Kunieda is a wheelchair tennis player aiming for the first gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympic Games next year. A wheelchair tennis legend who has been at the top of the world for many years, is approaching the Tokyo Games with a different approach.
There is a word that has inspired 35-year-old Kunieda.
“I am the strongest” on the racket.
The source of confidence is outstanding technology. Accurate unrivaled control and iron wall defense. Catch up with any ball with a skillful wheelchair.
With tenacious tennis, when he was in his twenties, he built an era that could be called “Kunieda Kazuyoshi”.
However, the Rio Paralympic Games three years ago. The composition of wheelchair tennis has changed dramatically. Young players emerged and played one after another, pushing “Power” to the front.
Kunieda was caught in the waves.
The quarterfinal where high-speed serve played against a 27-year-old player.
From the beginning, Kunieda was pushed by force, lost straight and did not reach the medal.
What can I do to recapture the throne?
Kunieda decided to review his tenacity tennis to compete with power.
Together with the coach who has been instructed since last season, we have adopted an aggressive backhand. I tried to wear a powerful shot that could take away the points, "I will give threats and pressure to the opponent and lead to my own development."
The defeat in Rio has also changed the spirit of competition.
Last month, Kunieda responded to an interview during an expedition. I spent a relaxed time with my wife and staff. He was released from the idea that he could not lose as the champion he imposed on himself, and as a challenger he was able to enjoy the competition purely.
“I think I'm less afraid of change than before. I'm most excited when I realize I'm changing, and I'm very happy that I'm 35 years old." Talk to
And this summer there was a great opportunity to see how far the new style would work. One of the four major tournaments, the Wimbledon Championship. It is a tournament that takes place on the lawn, which is favored by powerful players.
The semi-final that became a battle against a strong man who aimed for the third consecutive championship.
At the beginning, I was pushed by a powerful shot and took the lead, but I didn't lose my feeling to challenge until the end, saying, "I can't help if I concentrate on what I've been working on and bet there."
With a strengthened backhand, he won a reversal victory through an aggressive shot without fear of mistakes.
I caught a response.
“I think what I do on the Tokyo stage is to face my opponent and challenge the quality of my own play. In Tokyo, I would like to play as much as I did a year ago. "Kunieda." I am determined to move on to the Tokyo Games as a “challenge”.