“A long-awaited medal in Paris” Wheelchair tennis player Takuya Miki

``Make the Paris Games a culmination''

Wheelchair tennis player Takuya Miki is participating in three consecutive Paralympic Games.

At the age of 34, he continues to grow, and at the Australian Open held in January, he won runner-up in doubles with world No. 1 Kaito Oda, who is more than a year older than him.

The goal is to participate in the Paris Games for the fourth time.

And he won a medal that he hasn't gotten yet.

(Matsue Broadcasting Station reporter Shoko Mitsui)

Encounter with wheelchair tennis

Miki is a native of Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture.

He has loved sports since he was a child, and since high school he has been active in club tennis.

He dreamed of getting a job related to tennis in the future and was aiming to enter a physical education university.

Miki, a third year high school student

However, when I was in my third year of high school, osteosarcoma was discovered in my left shin, and I had an artificial joint placed in my left knee.

He says that his doctor told him, ``I can't run, so I should give up sports.''

"Can't you play tennis anymore?"

Shingo Kunieda (Beijing Paralympics 2008)

Miki was in despair, but his doctor showed him a video of Shingo Kunieda, a leading wheelchair tennis player.

It is said that he entered the field of competition after finding hope in his performance at the Beijing Paralympic Games.

With Shingo Kunieda when I was a university student

Takuya Miki

: ``I realized that there was a part of me that was thinking from the bottom of my heart, ``This is what I want to be,'' ``I want to be a Paralympian.''

Tokyo Paralympics (2021)

Miki quickly rose to prominence and expanded his career to the world.

Armed with his stable shots and slow-paced playing style, he has made great strides, and has participated in three consecutive Paralympics: London (2012), Rio de Janeiro (2016), and Tokyo (2021).

Miki made some interesting comments after the Tokyo Games.

“I want to do my best to make the next Paris Games a culmination.”

The Paris Games are a “culmination”; what is its true meaning?

What does the word “culmination” mean?

I asked him about his true intentions.

“Honestly, I use it every time, and I said the same thing at the Rio de Janeiro Games.It doesn’t mean ``this is the end,'' but it means ``we are setting it as a break or a big goal.'' I feel like my tennis is improving and maturing, so I honestly don't think about leaving tennis during that process.I feel like I still have the potential to win. And my motivation is high, so I think that's one of the factors that will affect whether I quit or not.''

I asked him if he felt older physically.

“I feel that my ability to recover after consecutive matches or long matches has declined compared to when I was in my 20s.However, if I pay more attention to my meal menu, I can still make up for it. I've learned a lot about things like that, and in a sense, I think getting older is a factor in my growth.''

Doubles runner-up at the four major tournaments, pairing with Kaito Oda

Miki is aiming to compete in the Paralympics for the fourth time at this summer's Paris Games.

Although he is a 34-year-old veteran, he is ranked 11th in the world (as of March 4, 2024).

One of the selection criteria for the Japanese national team is to be ranked 32nd or higher in the world rankings (as of July 15, 2024).

Doubles with Kaito Oda (right) (Australian Open January 2024)

One of the driving forces is the presence of world No. 1 player Kaito Oda (17).

Since last year, he has been paired with a doubles teammate, and in the four major tennis tournaments, he finished runner-up in three consecutive doubles tournaments: Wimbledon (2023), United States (2023), and Australian Open (2024).

Wimbledon runner-up in doubles with Oda (2023)

“(Oda) is a bit frustrating as a player, but he is playing a very new style of tennis and is very talented, and I honestly feel that he is a big presence. The level is steadily improving.”

How did you come to play doubles with Oda?

"Of course, it's important to 'win', but I thought we could create a doubles game that the audience would enjoy, so before the 2023 Japan Open, I said, 'Why don't we try playing doubles? In the tournament we actually teamed up for, we were able to play doubles with a kind of movement that hasn't been seen in wheelchair tennis up until now, and we were able to play attractively.In that sense, I'm really inspired by it.''

Even after finishing the Australian Open in January, Miki has continued to practice on overseas tours, including the United States in February and South Korea in March, and is currently honing his strength, ``overall ability.'' It is said that it is applied.

``Tennis is difficult because it's not a sport where you can win with just one shot, but in my case I'm focusing on ``overall strength''.To be honest, in terms of single-hit power, I'm far behind Oda and other top overseas players. I feel like I'm bad at playing against players, but my strength is that I can hit a variety of pitches and have no strengths or weaknesses.Currently, I feel that the individual skills I've honed through practice are being put to better use in doubles. I think it's a matter of how we can bring that to the table in singles."

Connection with local area, Shimane

Another major source of support is our interaction with our hometown of Shimane.

Lecture held in my hometown Izumo City (February 2024)

He returned home during a break from his overseas expedition, which takes up half of the year, and gave a lecture in his hometown, Izumo City, in February.

They shook hands with local fans, demonstrated the movements of their competition wheelchairs, and enjoyed interacting with them in a relaxed manner.

Enjoy the sunset at Lake Shinji (February 2024)

"(When I come back to Shimane), it's the place where I was born and raised, so I try to 'settle down'. I meet people from the tennis industry, I hang out. I go to see the sunset at Lake Shinji, and unfortunately the weather is... But I couldn't see it because it was so crowded (lol).I also went for a short drive with a friend to eat some local food.''

There are also important people in Shimane who support my career as an athlete.

That is a prosthetic and orthotics manufacturer in Ota City.

At a prosthetics manufacturer in Ota City (December 2023)

I have been receiving support for about 15 years, including making a brace to protect my left knee, which has an artificial joint, and to maintain balance between the left and right sides of my pelvis.

“It is a great blessing for athletes to be happy when they report good results, and it is not an experience that everyone can have.Just as I was influenced by Mr. Kunieda and various other athletes, I am also a little proud of myself. But I think it's very meaningful to my life to feel like I've been able to give something back to my hometown."

Aiming for “a medal for my hometown” is Paris

Practicing with children in Matsue City (February 2024)

Miki is aiming for the Paris Games with a strong feeling for his hometown.

She placed fourth in doubles at the Rio de Janeiro Games, putting her one step away from winning a medal.

I am determined to reach heights that I have not yet reached at the Paris Games.

“I have a strong desire to bring a medal back to my hometown.Whether it's singles or doubles, I'm working hard to be the best in any match, so I want to do my best to win the gold medal. I would like to hone my tennis skills, which is my overall strength, and figure out how to use it in matches.I hope to be able to show my competitive skills to the local community and help cheer them up. I hope you will watch over me warmly."

(Broadcast on “Shimanet NEWS610” on February 16, 2024)

[Basic information] Takuya Miki

Eating crab with friends in Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture

▽Birth date: April 30, 1989

▽Birthplace: Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture

▽Main achievements:

・Participated in 3 consecutive Paralympic Games (from 2012 London Games)

・2023 Wimbledon men's doubles runner-up

・2023 U.S. Open men's doubles runner-up

/ 2024 Australian Open men's doubles runner-up

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