A national tournament for ball games and boccia was held at the Tokyo Paralympics, and healthy people such as the Olympic gold medalist also participated in a fierce battle.
This tournament, held in Musashino City, Tokyo, has been held since the year following the Rio de Janeiro Paralympics in an attempt to help popularize boccia.
Participation is possible regardless of the presence or absence of disabilities, but since some athletes are at risk of becoming seriously ill with the new coronavirus, the athletes representing Japan did not participate and the event was held without spectators.
On the 14th, the final tournament was held by the top eight teams from all over the country who won the league match, and former Olympic athletes such as Para and Ai Shibata, a gold medalist for swimming, participated in the fierce battle.
As a result, the team made up of staff from Kawasaki City Hall in Kanagawa Prefecture won the championship.
In addition, two Japanese national team players, Hidetaka Sugimura and Takaki Hirose, appeared remotely on the screen of the venue and called for their support to win the gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympics.
After the tournament, Mr. Shibata said, "It was difficult but fun to touch the ball for the first time in a long time. I hope that sports like boccia that can be enjoyed without feeling handicap will spread regardless of disabilities." ..