The Japanese team of the Tokyo Paralympics, which will start in August, has been announced, and the number of players is 221 which is the largest number in history, and the captain of the team will be Shingo Kunieda (37), a leading wheelchair tennis player. Has been decided.
The JPC = Japan Paralympic Committee held a press conference in Tokyo on the 2nd, and announced that it has decided on 221 men and 92 women as the Japanese team of the Tokyo Paralympics.
Since the selection of representatives is still ongoing, the number of athletes is expected to reach about 250 in the end, which is significantly higher than the 163 athletes of the 2004 Athens Olympics, which is the largest number ever for the Japanese team. ..
It has been decided that the captain of the team will be Shingo Kunieda, a leading wheelchair tennis player who has won three gold medals at the Paralympics.
In addition, Rie Urata (44), a veteran goalball player who contributed to Japan's first gold medal at the 2012 London Games, will serve as the deputy captain.
One male and one female will serve as the flag bearers, and Yukihiro Iwabuchi (26), the ace of table tennis, will be the male, and the female will be undecided.
The team has set the goal of the Tokyo Paralympic Games to win 20 gold medals, which is the highest number ever, but JPC Vice Chairman Hidefumi Takahashi said at a press conference on the 2nd, "The situation has changed drastically in Corona, and the goal of the medal is to win players. I don't inspire. I want the athletes to perform at their best in a safe and secure tournament. "
Comments from Captain Kunieda and Deputy Captain Urata
Shingo Kunieda of wheelchair tennis, who is the captain of the Japanese team of the Tokyo Paralympics, said, "I think that each player has prepared to do his best in this world's highest peak, and the performance is Japan. In a good way, it surpasses everyone's image of sports for people with disabilities. Although the athletes know that there are various opinions regarding the holding of the tournament, everyone who has made an effort to hold the tournament. I will never forget my gratitude, understand that there are various restrictions, and face the match. All the players will do their best so that the tournament will be successful. Thank you for your support. " I am.
Goalball player Rie Urata, who serves as deputy captain, said, "We will cooperate with captain Kunieda and strive sincerely as a model for the team with responsibility and pride. We hope that you will see us and make it a tournament that will bring hope and excitement, smiles and gratitude to many people. "
Flag bearer Yukihiro Iwabuchi "For a special tournament like never before"
Yukihiro Iwabuchi, a table tennis player who acts as a flag bearer, said, "I feel that the tournament will be postponed for one year as well as being held in my home country, and it will be a special tournament that has never been seen before. First of all, please create an environment where you can face sports. I would like to thank the support of many people around me, and I will make the best preparations I can do now with the goal of "more than a gold medal" with the goal of becoming a player who can convey the wonderfulness of the Paralympics. Please look forward to the play full of fighting spirit so that everyone in Tokyo will be pleased. Thank you for your support. "
Leader Kawai "To a diverse team"
Junichi Kawai, the leader of the Tokyo Paralympic Japan at the Olympic Games, said at a press conference, "The Japan at the Olympic Games are diverse, with a wide range of ages, genders, tournament experiences, disabilities, etc. I would like to follow the rules for the safety and security of not only the people involved in the Games but also the people, and thank the medical staff through the best performance. It is the Paralympic Games to receive the baton from the Olympic Games and cut the goal tape. It's the Japanese team. Under the team slogan, "Beyond, everyone," I want to do my best to run through to the closing ceremony. "