Tokyo Citizen Sports Awards Award Ceremony
(20th Winter Deaflympics Games 2023
Türkiye Erzurum Tournament)
The Tokyo Citizen Sports Awards Award Ceremony was held!
2024/5/22
令和6（2024）年5月20日、都庁7階にて都民スポーツ大賞の表彰式を実施し、第20回冬季デフリンピック競技大会（令和6(2024)年3月2日～3月12日、トルコ・エルズルムで開催）でメダルを獲得した東京都ゆかりの選手10名に対し、小池知事から表彰状と副賞を贈呈しました。
The Tokyo Citizen Sports Award was established in 20 with the aim of praising the achievements of athletes associated with Tokyo who have achieved excellent results in world-class sports competitions, and to share their excitement with the citizens of Tokyo.
Presentation of certificate of commendation (Tanae)
Governor's congratulatory address
Governor Koike said, ``About 36 athletes from 600 countries participated, and among them, the Japanese team won XNUMX medals, XNUMX silver medals and XNUMX bronze medals, the highest ever. We are proud of them, and we would like to congratulate them from the bottom of our hearts, and we hope that they will continue to do their best.''
Regarding the Tokyo Deaflympics to be held next year, he said, ``Through the Games, we aim to make Tokyo a city where everyone, with and without disabilities, can enjoy sports together, recognize and respect each other's differences, and where everyone can shine.'' "We will continue to work together," he said, vowing to liven up Tokyo for the Deaflympics.
In his speech on behalf of the players, Tsuchiya Yuki (futsal) explained that the reason why many of the medalists in this tournament were athletes with ties to Tokyo is because "Tokyo has an environment that allows people to hone their competitive skills in a variety of sports, and there are many people who support them as they take on this challenge." He continued, "I hope that the participating athletes at the Tokyo Deaflympics to be held next summer will ride this momentum and win many medals. I am sure that your support will give them a boost. Let's make it a success together."
Greetings from player representative (Tsuchiya)
Click here for the video of the day
*November 6, 2024 Tokyo Daily News No.5
We also received the following comments from the award-winning players. Please take a look.
Yuki Tanae: Alpine skiing/women's super-G (silver)/women's giant slalom (silver)
Q: What do you think about winning the Metropolitan Sports Award?
A: I am very happy to have won the award, but I will not be satisfied with this result and will do my best to win the gold medal next time. Thank you for your continued support.
Q: Looking back at the Winter Deaflympics
A: It was quite fun. It was a great time to not only compete, but also interact with foreign athletes and Japanese athletes from other sports, watch other games to support Japan, and be inspired by each other.
Q: What are your expectations for the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics?
A: We hope that this tournament will help raise awareness of Deaf Sports, including the Deaflympics, in Japanese society.
Yusuke Murata: Alpine skiing/Men's giant slalom (Silver)
Q: What do you think about winning the Metropolitan Sports Award?
A: I am very happy to be able to express my gratitude to the many people who have supported me up until now.
Q: Looking back at the Winter Deaflympics
A: I felt both disappointed that I couldn't win the gold medal on my dream stage and by a very small margin, and happy that I was the first Japanese to win a medal.
Q: What are your expectations for the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics?
A: The Deaflympics has the power to deliver courage and brightness to people with disabilities, hearing people, and everyone in Japan, and to give hope for the future of society. I hope that many people will become aware of its existence.
Masaki Orihashi Player: Futsal/Men (Silver)
Q: What do you think about winning the Metropolitan Sports Award?
A: I am very grateful to receive such a wonderful award. I would like to continue to grow even further without being satisfied with where I am now.
Q: Looking back at the Winter Deaflympics
A: None of the games were easy, but I think we showed Japan's strength by making it to the finals. In addition, athletes from other sports came to support us, giving us a unique experience at the Deaflympics.
Q: What are your expectations for the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics?
A: We hope that not only will many people learn about the existence of deaf sports, but that it will also give them an opportunity to get involved with hearing-impaired people.
Takehide Shitara Player: Futsal/Men (Silver)
Q: What do you think about winning the Metropolitan Sports Award?
A: This award is not due to my personal strength, but to my parents who raised me, the managers and coaches who taught me soccer and futsal, my family, friends, and team who supported me. I felt that it was all thanks to my mates and everyone involved in the competition. I was very happy to receive another wonderful award. I also hope that the Deaflympics will become more widespread throughout Japan.
Q: Looking back at the Winter Deaflympics
A: As we aimed to win every game, we faced many difficult situations, but we were able to overcome them thanks to our united teamwork.
I am filled with gratitude to my team members for being the runner-up for the first time in our history.
Q: What are your expectations for the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics?
A: It's the first time in history that it will be held in Japan, so I think it's a great chance for people to see a lot of differential sports. We hope that through the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics, society will become more accessible to people with hearing disabilities!
Naohiro Tokairin Player: Futsal/Men (Silver)
Q: What do you think about winning the Metropolitan Sports Award?
A: I am very happy to receive this very prestigious award. I work for a company whose head office is in Tokyo, and I feel honored to receive this award while carrying the Aucnet name on my shoulders.
Q: Looking back at the Winter Deaflympics
A: I felt an atmosphere unlike any other Summer Deaflympics. I am dreaming that the Winter Deaflympics will be held in Japan following the summer.
Q: What are your expectations for the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics?
A: I hope that the appeal of sports will be conveyed to many people through the tournament, and that both able-bodied and deaf people will support each other and make it a great event.
Masaki Honda Player: Futsal/Men (Silver)
Q: What do you think about winning the Metropolitan Sports Award?
A: I am happy to receive the Tokyo Citizen Sports Award. I am surprised and happy that I, who was unknown in middle school and high school, was able to receive such a wonderful award!
Q: Looking back at the Winter Deaflympics
A: I thought it was a competition that allowed me to clearly understand my weaknesses and issues. Currently, the same issues are coming up in my team, so I would like to improve little by little!
Q: What are your expectations for the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics?
A: My hope is that awareness of the Deaflympics for the hearing impaired will increase. I'm also looking forward to a tournament that will be exciting not only for Japan's hearing-impaired people but also for able-bodied people!
Rintaro Munezawa Player: Futsal/Men (Silver)
Q: What do you think about winning the Metropolitan Sports Award?
A: I am very happy to receive such a prestigious award. I would be happy if I could convey to everyone that you can challenge yourself through sports regardless of your disability.
Q: Looking back at the Winter Deaflympics
A: I am happy that we achieved results in the first tournament that included futsal competition.
Q: What are your expectations for the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics?
A: I would like them to aim to raise the awareness of "def". I hope that this tournament will be an opportunity for as many people as possible to find something new about themselves through sports, regardless of their disability, by trying out and watching the games.
Tanega Wada: Snowboarding/Women's Parallel Giant Slalom (Bronze)/Women's Parallel Slalom (Bronze)
■ Comments from Wada
My name is Wada Tanega (15 years old). Last March, I won two bronze medals at the Winter Deaflympics! I will win the gold medal at the next Deaflympics!
One year from now, the Tokyo Deaflympics will be held, and we look forward to your continued support.
Sayuri Matsuhashi: Curling/Mixed doubles (Bronze)
Q: What do you think about winning the Metropolitan Sports Award?
A: The medals and awards are a result of my efforts so far, but I couldn't have done it alone. Thanks to my family, staff, teammates, and everyone who has supported me. This medal was earned by us, so we will continue to be grateful for it.
Q: Looking back at the Winter Deaflympics
A: It was my first Deaflympics, so I was excited. In my case, I participated in two curling mixed doubles competitions, and he participated in a 4-a-side competition. It was tough because we had to play matches every day, but I'm glad I had that experience.
Q: What are your expectations for the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics?
A: Previous summer Deaflympics have tended to attract more attention than winter ones, but at this Winter Deaflympics, Japan's first medals were won in the competition, so this will also increase awareness of the Deaflympics. I'm looking forward to seeing it increase.
Click here for the list of winners
| Medal | Name | [Competition]/Event | Applicable requirements | Affiliation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver |
|
Tanae Yuki (18) |
[Alpine skiing] ・Women's super giant slalom ・Women's giant slalom |
Adachi (Resident) |
University of Tsukuba Special Auditory School for Hearing *Current: Juntendo University |
| Silver |
|
(I.e. Yusuke (19) |
[Alpine skiing] ・Men's giant slalom |
Suginami (Graduated from Tokyo high school) |
Sendai University |
| Silver |
|
Orihashi Masanori (35) |
[Futsal] ・ Men |
Chiyoda (Working) |
INTAGE Healthcare Co., Ltd. |
| Silver |
|
Shitara Takehide (31) |
[Futsal] ・ Men |
Chuo (Working) |
Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. |
| Silver |
|
Tokairin Naohiro (31) |
[Futsal] ・ Men |
Minato-ku (Working) |
Aucnet Co., Ltd. |
| Silver |
|
(I.e. Yuki (34) |
[Futsal] ・ Men |
Katsushika (Resident) |
T&D Financial Life Insurance Co., Ltd. |
| Silver |
|
Honda Masaki (19) |
[Futsal] ・ Men |
Kodaira (Resident) |
Tokyo University of Economics |
| Silver |
|
Munesawa Rintaro (25) |
[Futsal] ・ Men |
Minato-ku (Working) |
Oak Net Advance Co., Ltd. |
| copper |
|
Wada Tanega (15) |
【snow board】 ・Women's parallel giant slalom ・Women's parallel rotation |
Chuo (Resident) |
Tokyo Metropolitan Central School for the Deaf |
| copper |
|
Matsubashi Sayuuri (29) |
【curling】 ・Mixed doubles |
Higashiyamasa (Resident) |
Tokyo Sign Language Interpreter Dispatch Center, Social Welfare Corporation Tokyo Welfare Association for the Hearing Impaired |
*All at the time of the tournament
*Tanae won 2 silver medals and Wada won 2 bronze medals.
(Reference) Tokyo Metropolitan Government Press Release: May 2024, 05 Regarding the presentation of the Tokyo Citizen Sports Award
https://www.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/tosei/hodohappyo/press/2024/05/13/08.html
contact information
Sports Promotion Headquarters, International Sports Division, Tournament Promotion Section
Phone: 03-5000-7427