``For me, the Paris Paralympic Games are my destiny.''



Last year, at the age of 17 years and one month old, he became the youngest player in history to win a Grand Slam tournament, making him a young champion in the world of wheelchair tennis. Its name comes from the Arc de Triomphe, a famous landmark in Paris.


Oda, whose name means "to raise the spirits of victory," will be competing in the Paralympic Games for the first time in Paris, where the Arc de Triomphe is located. I heard your thoughts.


(Sports News Department reporter Toshiya Mochii)

2023 is a “premonition” and the “game” is in 2024

Last year, Oda became the youngest player in history to become number one in the world rankings at 17 years and one month old by winning the four major tournaments, the French Open and Wimbledon Championships.

Wimbledon Championship Winner (July 2023)

In January of this year, we interviewed Oda and asked him to look back on 2023, which was a year of great success.

Kaito Oda:


``It was a year in which a dream came true, but of course it was also a year in which I experienced some regrets.I felt like I could have done a little more, so I was half happy and half disappointed.''

After winning consecutive Grand Slam tournaments last year, Oda unexpectedly lost in the first round at the US Open in September.

Winner at Asian Para Games (October 2023)

The following month, he won the Asian Paralympic Games held in China, earning him a ticket to the Paris Paralympic Games.

``It was a battle I couldn't afford to lose, and if I hadn't won, I wouldn't be able to say the same thing about losing in Asia and winning gold at the world championships, but it was a really good tournament.''

``Last year was what you would call a breakout year, but it wasn't the perfect version of me, it was the year that let people know that I was going to do something bigger, and it was also a year that showed me a lot more. Inside, I felt that way last year.It was a self-suggestion to myself, or a warning to myself, saying, ``I won't end up like this.''For me, 2023 is just a sign, I think the competition is in 2024, so I want to do my best.The number of people who support me is gradually increasing, and I want to win for them.”

Follow in the footsteps of legends and become a “hero” yourself

The reason why Oda is so particular about strength.



This is because I have a strong desire to be someone who can give hope to children who are suffering like I once was.

Diagnosed with osteosarcoma at age 9, confined to wheelchair

Oda, who was a young soccer player, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a cancer that forms in the bones, in his left leg when he was nine years old, and was confined to a wheelchair.

Everyday life changes completely, and the days are spent fighting a painful illness.



Despite his disappointment, it was the sight of Shingo Kunieda, who won a gold medal at the London Paralympic Games, that gave him courage and purpose.

Shingo Kunieda wins gold medal at the London Paralympic Games (2012)

``It was cool, the way it looked.The wheelchairs I know are in hospitals, they aren't particularly cool, they're just for traveling distance, but there are wheelchairs for motorbikes, cars, and competitions.'' What was cool about it was how cool it was as a vehicle, so that was a big difference."

Shingo Kunieda and Oda

Following Kunieda's footsteps, Oda practiced hard and improved his skills.



Three years ago, he became the youngest world No. 1 junior in history at the age of 14 years and 11 months, and the following year he turned professional at age 15.

In June of that year, at the age of 16 years and less than a month, he participated in his first Grand Slam tennis tournament, and in November, at the age of 16 years and 5 months, he won the prestigious Masters, becoming the youngest player in the tournament's history.

Shingo Kunieda retirement press conference (February 2023)

In January of last year, Kunieda, a legend who achieved the ``Golden Slam of Life'' by winning all four major tournaments and the Paralympic Games, retired from active duty.



The baton was passed to Oda.

Oda inherited Kunieda's thoughts and was determined.



For the first time, he revealed to us the new athlete he aspires to be.

``If children who are not in wheelchairs were to watch my wheelchair tennis matches, they would be struck by this.What I am aiming for is not only the world of children with disabilities, but also the world of children who are not in wheelchairs. I want to give that feeling, and I think that's what I can do. Become a hero to children."

Toward the “destined” Paris Games

In order to realize this ideal, we will take on the big stage with a special feeling.

Kaito Oda:


``If I don't win a gold medal, I don't think I'll be able to become someone that people look up to.I think it's all about how people feel when they watch my matches, so no matter how much I say it, it won't make a difference. Something fleeting won't resonate, and I think that depends on your own results.I think the Paris Paralympic Games will be an extremely big event in my life, and I hope it will be a moment that will be a big turning point for the children who watched the games. I want it to become that way.I want it to be a stage where I can change the world by hitting the ball.I feel like it's not just about me wanting to win a gold medal at the Paralympics.That's how it was originally set up. I'm so excited that I wonder if I won. I want to raise the gold medal. I want to shout in front of that Arc de Triomphe. I want to shout that I won!"

◇◇Interview story◇◇

“Guitar performance”

Even in front of the television camera, Oda responded politely and with a calm tone that belied the fact that he was only 17 years old.



When asked about the guitar-playing performances he puts on after games these days...

"I like music, and I played the guitar for a while, so I've always wanted to play the guitar. Will I play the guitar at the Paris Paralympic Games? I wonder... (lol). I'll do my best to learn how to play the guitar."

Approximately three weeks after he had said in an interview that he hoped his play could bring some good news to the areas affected by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, he won his first men's singles title at the Australian Open, a Grand Slam tournament. I did.

Australian Open first win (January 2024)

We look forward to seeing him perform well as he heads to the Paris Games, which is his “destiny”, with high expectations.



(Broadcast on “News Watch 9” on January 19, 2024)

[Basic information] Kaito Oda

At the famous landmark in Paris, the Arc de Triomphe, from which the name derives.

▽Date of Birth: May 8, 2006


▽Birthplace: Ichinomiya City, Aichi Prefecture


▽Main Achievements: Wheelchair Tennis Men's Singles


<2023>


, French Open Champion (youngest winner in history)


, Wimbledon Championship Champion


, Asian Para Tournament Winner


<2024>


・Australian Open Winner


・2nd place in the world ranking (as of April 2024)

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