Japanese athletes to watch at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games
As the Paralympic Games return to Japan's capital after 57 years, the country's Para athletes are ready to put on a show.
As the Paralympic Games returns to Japan for the second time, these Para athletes have a dual mission: to vie for Paralympic glory on home soil and change perceptions to foster a more diverse and inclusive society in Japan.
So let's take a look at some of the stars who hope to set the Paralympic stage alight with their performances in less than one week!
KUNIEDA Shingo, Wheelchair Tennis
Reigning world no 1 wheelchair men's single champion Kunieda is considered as one of the greatest figures in the sport. With a Grand Slam singles titles and Paralympic titles - gold in doubles at Athens 2004, and gold in singles at Beijing 2008 and London 2012 - sky is the limit for this tennis champ. And the silver medal he got in Rio? That makes Kunieda just hungrier to reclaim his crown at Tokyo 2020.
READ MORE: Defeat in Rio re-inspiring Kunieda’s growth
Of course, my biggest goal is to win the gold medal [at Tokyo 2020].
I also want people everywhere to feel the appeal of wheelchair tennis, and perhaps become fans.
SERYU Monika, Canoe Sprint
Seryu was one of the breakout stars of Rio 2016 with her first appearance at a Paralympic Games. She had her eyes set on Tokyo 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic pulled the plug on most of Para canoe events. Since then, Seryu has regained her perspective - even returning to her university studies - and is now training hard to deliver the performance of a lifetime at a home Paralympic Games.
When the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Games was announced, I took the news in a positive light, thinking it might actually enhance my chances of winning a gold medal.
KAMIJI Yui, Wheelchair Tennis
Kamiji is one of the best wheelchair tennis players Japan has ever produced. She has won the French Open three times (2014, 2017 and 2018) and is a two-time Paralympian, winning bronze at Rio 2016. She is currently world no 2 behind the Netherlands' Diede De Groot and is now on her way to her third Paralympics looking to deliver a gold-winning performance.
READ MORE: A gold for the home Games
At the Tokyo 2020 Games I will of course aim for a gold medal, but on top of that, I hope to be able to enjoy playing.
SATO Tomoki, Athletics
Nothing can stop Sato once he puts his heart into something. After watching London 2012, he was inspired to take up Para sports and made his debut at Rio 2016, clinching two silver medals at 400m (T52) and 1,500m (T52) in a rented wheelchair. The following year he won two gold medals at the World Para Athletics Championships before taking it up a notch in 2018 setting new world records. This year, he'll be at the forefront of Team Japan and promises to wow home fans with gold-worthy performances.
READ MORE: SATO Tomoki: Chases his dream of gold to inspire courage and hope
I want people to see our performances and feel that anything is possible.
SATOMI Sarina, Para Badminton
Satomi will surely be one of the athletes to watch at court when Para badminton debuts at Tokyo 2020. Having just taken up the sport four years ago, she took the world by storm in her first outing at the Thailand Para-badminton international where she and partner YAMAZAKI Yuma won silver. At Tokyo 2020, the world no 1 athlete will compete in both singles and doubles and will aim for gold at both events.
READ MORE: SATOMI SARINA intends to be the 'first queen' of Para badminton'
Para badminton will be included in the Paralympic programme for the first time, so I definitely would like to become the ‘first queen’.
KIMURA Keiichi, Swimming
Para swimming would not be complete without the presence of Japanese star Kimura Keiichi. The three-time Paralympian has not been coy about his desire to win a Paralympic title at Tokyo 2020 after winning two silvers and bronzes at Rio 2016. But aside from this Paralympic dream, Kimura is also hoping that the Games could be a complete game-changer and help change perceptions about people with impairments at home.
READ MORE: Self-confidence helps KIMURA Keiichi see himself as 'quite an extraordinary guy' ｜Let's 55 Virtual Experience - Para Swimming with KIMURA Keiichi
The event will shed light on athletes with an impairment, so I’m hoping it will be an opportunity for us to step forward and make ourselves more widely recognised.
URATA Rie, Goalball
Urata made her Paralympic debut at Beijing 2008, only three years after taking up the sport. She was the captain of the Japan national team that won gold at London 2012 - their first ever gold medal in the sport. Whilst Japan placed fifth in Rio, Urata will have a chance to lead her team at Tokyo 2020 to reclaim their crown and step up the podium in front of home fans.
My world changed radically when I discovered goalball.
- Urata Rie told Nippon.com in 2019.
IKEZAKI Daisuke, Wheelchair Rugby
With Ikezaki at the helm of wheelchair rugby, Japan are the cusp at another medal at the Paralympic Games. At Rio 2016, Ikezaki led the team to a bronze medal followed by a World Championship title in 2018 beating favourites Australia. It was Japan's first major gold medal in the sport. Along with his partner YUKINOBU Ike, they both only have the same goal in mind: win on their home court and clinch their first Paralympic gold medal.
As long as we have our sights on Tokyo 2020, we’ll be going for the gold.
And we knew that if we wanted that, we’d have to do it - we’d have to work that hard.
Ikezaki Daisuke told Parasapo.tokyo in 2020
NAGAI Takamasa, Judo
With Japanese judokas still dominating the Olympic sport, it is only fitting they continue their winning streak in Paralympic judo at Tokyo 2020. And all this is possible with Nagai, a visually-impaired athlete (B1), who boasts of his own style of judo. He was set to compete at Rio 2016 but a knee injury forced him to miss out. However he was able to bounce back at the 2018 Asia Para Games with a bronze medal. Now at Tokyo 2020, expectations are even higher for Nagai to deliver his first Paralympic title at the home of judo.
READ MORE: NAGAI Takamasa: There's always a chance for victory
It will definitely be sad if Japan don’t win any gold medals in judo, and there’s part of me that wants to win the gold medal for everyone.
CHOKAI Renshi, Wheelchair basketball
Chokai was the youngest wheelchair basketball player in the national team at Rio 2016. While the team placed ninth during his Paralympic debut, Chokai is keen on erasing his Rio setback and fly high at Tokyo, now that he has secured his spot at the squad.
READ MORE: CHOKAI Renshi: Wheelchair basketball player aims to net a medal for Japan
I hope to win a medal and repay my family who have guided me to the sport, as well as many others who have supported me.
