Wheelchair Rugby Key to Japan National Team Tomoaki Imai October 17th 9:58
A wheelchair rugby that expects a Japanese gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympic Games next year. The representatives of Japan are challenging the international competition that began on the 16th.
This tournament, where strong players such as Australia and the United States gather, is a great opportunity to test their power for the Tokyo Paralympics. The key to the defense of the representative from Japan is Tomoaki Imai
"Low pointer" and "High pointer"
Wheelchair rugby is the only wheelchair competition that allows for tackle and is one of its attractions.
One team is four people. Athletes are classified into 7 levels from 0.5 to 3.5 according to the degree of disability.
The player with the most disability is “0.5” and the player with the least disability is “3.5”.
Of these, players from “0.5” to “1.5” are called “low pointers”, and players from “3.0” to “3.5” are called “high pointers”.
“High Pointer” makes use of speed and the like as a point source for the team. “Low Pointer” is mainly defensive and contributes to the team.
"Stop the high pointer"
Tomoaki Imai is from Chiba Prefecture. When I jumped into the pool when I was in 3rd grade, I broke my neck and had problems with my hands and legs.
The class is a low pointer of “1.0”.
One of the major roles I am demanding is to stop the opponent's “high pointer”. This is because the defensive player who controls the team's score source determines the outcome. However, it is not easy to stop the high pointer that exceeds your physical ability.
Imai said, “For athletes with mild disabilities, if you run in a hurry, you will simply lose the speed, and it will be difficult to stop. "I am always thinking about making a detour or blocking," he says.
The key is "change of direction"
To that end, the emphasis is on improving the “direction change” technology in wheelchair operations.
In situations where the other party is waiting, Imai said, “If you can operate the wheelchair accurately, you can block the course or delay the movement of the high pointer.”
We are also planning to improve our “direction change” technology to respond quickly to opponent movements, such as faints and course changes.
In practice, each of the eight menus is repeated 45 seconds each, such as swirling quickly while meandering between the cones placed at short intervals, or simply repeating the dash and brake.
Although it is a harsh practice to enter the next menu again after a break of only 15 seconds, even if you are tired, it will be accurate and fast, if you can not move as intended, you will make mistakes and you can not stop the opponent, even at the end of the game In order to be able to change the direction accurately, we will drive ourselves into tired conditions.
Train to the limit
We are also conscious of speeding up the direction change.
It is the muscles of the shoulders and back that are trained.
Imai cannot extend his arms or open his hands as he thinks because of his disability.
Still, in order to speed up, I have been practicing rigorous practice to train my muscles to the limit.
Achieve results against a strong opponent
This international tournament will serve as a test stone for the Tokyo Paralympics.
Imai said, “I want to give a momentum because the results of this tournament will be related to the color of the medal next year,” he said. Enthusiastic.