Hidetaka Sugimura, who won Japan's first gold medal in the Tokyo Paralympic ball game, Boccia, responded to NHK's interview, saying, "I want to attract attention by continuing to win so that the excitement does not end transiently." Said.
Boccia is a Paralympic ball game in which red and blue balls are thrown at each other to compete for how close to a white target ball. Sugimura won a gold medal as an individual and a bronze medal as a group at the Tokyo Paralympics.
In particular, the gold medal was the first Japanese player to achieve this in this competition, and Sugimura, who responded to an interview with NHK, said, "I faced the theme of overcoming myself in the past and, above all, enjoying my favorite boccia to the fullest, but I was weak. The victory led to the result of the final. "
Also, regarding the fact that Boccia is attracting attention as a sport that can be played regardless of disability, age, or gender, "I'm glad that the Tokyo tournament was an opportunity to get to know the competition, but this excitement and momentum has passed. As a player, I want to keep winning and attract attention so that I don't end up with sex. "
On top of that, "I want to continue to grow as a player, and I hope that people with disabilities will be able to take a step forward, such as whether they should try it or do their best. I think that the Paris Paralympics will be ahead of each and every one of the important battles, "he said, looking three years from now.