26-year-old Saki Komatsu, who first appeared in the new canoeing event "Ver" at the Tokyo Paralympics.

In the semi-final group held on the 3rd, I finished 4th out of 4 and did not advance to the final.

Komatsu has only been in the competition for half a year.

It was a big stage that would not have been possible without the one-year postponement of the tournament.

From the time I was appointed as the representative until the 3rd, it seemed like a "new star" that I was motivated.



Looking back on the path leading to Komatsu's Paralympics, the last two years have been particularly turbulent. Komatsu, who has been playing volleyball since elementary school, belonged to the second division team of the V League until three years ago after graduating from university.



After leaving the group, he became a leader, but in June, he became ill and was hospitalized. Komatsu has been in a wheelchair because he has been paralyzed on both feet and his left hand. I returned to my hometown of Kochi prefecture for rehabilitation.



The big turning point was that I participated in a parasports measurement session at the end of last year when the Tokyo tournament was originally supposed to be held.



"I was sick of not being able to work on anything, so I decided to try parasports."



Paracanoe started in earnest in March. Then, the talent will bloom immediately. He won the quota in the final qualifying round of the Tokyo Games held in May. It was the seat of the representative that I got in just two months after starting the competition. However, the inside of the chest was not only positive.



"



I think that

the value of parasports will be reduced by going to the Paralympics immediately after starting the competition.

" Because of the feeling of being a "new star" that can be regarded as "negative", on the contrary, "as a Paralympian" The desire to prove power and value has grown stronger day by day. I pushed myself until just before the tournament in order to improve my skills and physical strength as much as possible.

The race on the 3rd, progressing to the semi-finals. I've put out all the power I have. However, the wall of foreigners was thick. One group will not advance to the final with 4 out of 4 players. Komatsu, who appeared in the interview area, shed tears during the interview and said, "I was prepared to feel regretful to some extent. It's regrettable to lose. In the future, this regrettable feeling will be needed. I repeated that I was frustrated many times.



On the other hand, regarding this half-year challenge, "I couldn't imagine myself going to the Paralympics half a year ago. I've been doing my best to do what I have in front of me since I was playing volleyball. That's why this stage I think I stood up in the air. "



And to Paris three years later. He talked about his clear goals with the words "grow".



"I think there is still room for growth. I want to train systematically and definitely win medals at the Paris tournament. Please look forward to it."