The Japan wheelchair rugby team and spectators celebrate at Champs-du-Mars Arena in Paris after the Japan team beat the US in the final match for the gold medal on September 2. (©Kyodo)
At the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the Japanese wheelchair rugby team achieved its long-held dream of winning gold. It did so in dramatic fashion, with a comeback victory over the United States in the final.
The final took place on September 2, local time, which meant it was early morning in Japan the next day. Despite the hour, the opportunity to experience the thrill was not to be missed. Many of us watched the game on TV with the volume turned up and headphones on. The crowd's roar was electrifying as it drowned out the sound of the wheelchairs crashing into each other like a traffic accident.
A Thrilling Comeback
Team captain Yukinobu Ike and veteran Daisuke Ikezaki were on their third Paralympics after leading Japan to consecutive bronze medals at Tokyo 2020 and the 2016 Rio Games. The emergence of young speedster Katsuya Hashimoto, who couldn't compete in the Tokyo Paralympics, added an extra boost to the team.
Additionally, the steady contributions of Seiya Norimatsu, who has severe physical impairments, and the team's only female member, Kae Kurahashi, were remarkable. The victory was a true team effort, with each player fulfilling their role by maximizing their abilities.
Growing Medal Count
Japan's gold medal count at the Paris Paralympics now stands at five as of September 5. These include one in wheelchair rugby and two in badminton — both of which had previously eluded Japan at the Paralympics. Japan's gold medal march in Paris started with swimming, however, where it now has two.
Wheelchair badminton players Daiki Kajiwara and Sarina Satomi each secured the second and third Paralympic gold medals of their careers, respectively. After life-changing accidents, both athletes found new opportunities and purpose through their involvement in the sport.
Records Set in Swimming
Takayuki Suzuki, 37, and Keiichi Kimura, 33, also achieved gold medals in their events. In his sixth Olympics, Suzuki was Japan's first gold medalist in Paris, winning the 50-meter breaststroke. Kimura later won the 50-meter freestyle. Both set personal records in their respective races.
Suzuki, who has deficiencies in all four limbs, claimed his third gold medal in the sport of breaststroke, which typically requires symmetrical movement. He developed a specialized technique that maximizes his form despite these challenges.
Kimura, who lost his eyesight at the age of two, has never seen a person swim. After the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, he sought the guidance of Olympic medalist Natsumi Hoshi to refine his technique. His bold decision to completely reevaluate his swimming technique paid off.
The muscular physiques of Suzuki and Kimura are a testament to the grueling nature of their relentless pursuit of improvement.
An Inspiration for All
During the wheelchair rugby finals, many Japanese spectators were moved to tears at the moment of victory. Their emotions reflected deep appreciation for each athlete's journey.
Both the Olympics and Paralympics highlight that every winner and participant has their own unique story. In the Paralympics, however, the athletes' efforts to overcome physical challenges add an even deeper layer of meaning. A gold medal earned through the relentless pursuit of excellence deserves the highest praise. Each of their achievements brings immense joy, not just to the athletes themselves but to the Japanese people. These remarkable athletes and individuals serve as our powerful inspiration for the future.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
