Takayuki Suzuki, a swimmer who won the gold medal for the first time in Japan at the Tokyo Paralympics and for the first time in 13 years.


"I will do what I can do without being impatient." Even in the case of


Corona, the calm and calm talent who said this, immediately after the finish, raised a sword and exploded joy.

The veteran, who had thought about retiring after the last tournament where he missed the medal for the first time, made a great comeback after making a big decision to "change the turn", which breaks the conventional wisdom.

"Retirement" in my mind

Before the Tokyo Paralympics, the Paralympics have participated in four consecutive tournaments.

Suzuki has won five medals, including the gold medal at the Beijing Games, but the only one who missed the medals was the previous Rio de Janeiro Games.

Takayuki Suzuki


"I thought it was time for me to get a medal, so I had the idea of ​​retiring in front of Tokyo if I didn't get any results."



Eight years ago, I moved to England. We have continued to strengthen.

It was coach Louise Graham, who had been raising Paralympic gold medalists for many years, who overturned the idea of ​​retiring.

"Change of turn" that breaks common sense

The Graham coach made a drastic proposal to Suzuki.


That is "change of turn".



For many years, Suzuki has been doing a "quick turn" in which he spins his body in the water and kicks the wall, just like the Olympic athletes.

It is the "common sense of swimming" that the time is faster because the body turns smoothly and the wall can be kicked faster, and Suzuki did this turn without any doubt.


However, Coach Graham proposed a "touch turn" in which the body is turned over after touching the wall with the arm.


The advice was unique to a coach specializing in para-competition, who identified the characteristics of the disability of Suzuki, who has short legs and weak kicking power.

When we analyzed the actual turn time, the touch turn was able to reduce the time by 0.4 seconds.


Suzuki, who has continued to grow as he grows older by incorporating bold changes in swimming, has strengthened his desire for the gold medal.



Takayuki Suzuki


"13 years after the Beijing tournament, my memory is gradually fading and I want to experience another gold medal. It is hard to be the best in the world in any field. I have a chance to aim for a gold medal. I want to do my best "

A gold medal that is a bit different from Beijing

The Tokyo Paralympics have arrived.

Suzuki, who won the bronze medal the day before, passed the qualifying in 2nd place overall, even though he said he was a little heavy.



In the first half of the final, he was preceded by the Italian player next door, but in the second half when he turned back on the turn he had polished, he closed the gap at once and grabbed the gold medal in the reverse.

(Interview immediately after the final)


"Strengthening technology such as turns has led to improved time."



I felt a response to the results of the strengthening so far.



He added that he said about the gold medal for the first time in 13 years, "Beijing was the gold that I got with momentum when I was young, but this time it was a bit different with the money that I got through challenge and trial and error."



This tournament will participate in the third event.


The veteran, who has steadily done what he can do without rushing, said, "I will take on the challenge," and was motivated to win more medals.