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After the Tokyo Olympics brought happiness and excitement and inspiration and tears of joy to competitors and viewers from around the world from late July to early August, the Paralympics didn’t disappoint, either.
From start to finish, it was a worthy encore, with lessons that will carry all of us into a better barrier-free future.
For instance, spectators witnessed blind runners and guides working together for a common goal, and also saw how special each swimming lap truly was for athletes born without one or more limbs, or lost arms or legs due to an illness.
We witnessed intense, hard-hitting wheelchair rugby athletes, gutsy cyclists, crafty boccia competitors and determined wheelchair tennis players in action ー just a few examples of the spirited teamwork and individual sportsmanship on display at the Paralympic Games.
As 2022 begins, JAPAN Forward is highlighting the most-read sports stories of the last twelve months in the categories of Olympics, Paralympics and (all other) Sports. Join us for a quick look at Japan’s Paralympic year, before we take you into a new year of Winter Olympics, Paralympics and other sporting challenges. And please follow our sports coverage in 2022 here and here.
Our five most-read stories of the Tokyo Paralympics are:
Dancers perform during the Closing Ceremony of the Paralympic Games at the New National Stadium.
5. Paralympics Closing Ceremony Showcases Beauty in Diversity
The theme of the evening was “Harmonious Cacophony,” meaning that even in an aggregation of different noises, we can achieve harmony.
Read more here.
The cauldron is lit during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo Paralympics at the New National Stadium on August 24. (Athit Perawongmetha/REUTERS)
4. Opening Ceremony Delivers Aspirational, Upbeat Performance
“When the Games were postponed, Paralympians were beacons of hope,” said IPC boss Andrew Parsons. “They never stopped pursuing their dreams.”
Read more here.
Ibrahim Hamadtou, who lost his arms in a train accident at age 10, made his Paralympic debut in 2016.
3.TABLE TENNIS | Ibrahim Hamadtou Inspires with Dogged Determination
The Egyptian player has no arms but that didn’t stop him from mastering the sport.
Read more here.
Shoko Ota, who won a gold medal at the All-Japan Taekwondo Championships in 2018, is seen preparing for the Paralympics in 2020.
2. Shoko Ota Hoping Her Success on the Cross-Country Track Carries Over to the Taekwondo Mat
The 32-year-old is set to become one of the few Japanese athletes to compete in both the Summer and Winter Paralympics.
Read more here.
Shingo Kunieda celebrates after defeating Tom Egberink of the Netherlands in the men's wheelchair tennis final on September 4, 2021, at Ariake Tennis Park (Ivan Alvarado/REUTERS)
1. Japan’s 51-Medal Haul Represents a Vibrant Collage of Great Feats and Inspiring Individuals
The host nation finished one medal shy of its Paralympic record, which was established at the 2004 Athens Games.
Read more here.
Now read our related stories:
- A New Year's Look at the Most-Read Olympic Stories of 2021
- A New Year's Look at the Most-Read Sports Stories of 2021
Author: Ed Odeven
Follow Ed on JAPAN Forward's [Japan Sports Notebook] here on Sundays, in [Odds and Evens] here during the week, and Twitter ＠ed_odeven.
