Office for Sports Promotion

It's been 10 years since I started playing para table tennis, and I've been participating in international tournaments for about 5 years, but this Japan Open is the first international para table tennis tournament in Japan that includes intellectual and physical disabilities, so I've been playing para table tennis for about XNUMX years. I was nervous because of the different atmosphere.

I think it was a great opportunity for some people to see para table tennis for the first time.Unfortunately, we ended up in the top 8 in singles, but we were able to get good results as a team in the team competition, so it was good.

At first, I played a variety of sports, but my grandmother played table tennis, so I started playing table tennis with her for fun around the first grade of elementary school, and it just became more fun for me than other sports. That's what got me started.

I attended regular classes until junior high school, but from high school I went to a special needs school, where I discovered table tennis as a parasport.I started playing table tennis as a club, but I also went to a table tennis class, where I practiced with the general public and had one-on-one lessons with a coach.I started doing it seriously in high school, and this year marks my 10th year.

My family is extremely supportive and supportive.But, ``Do as much as you can by yourself.''If you can't do it, I'll support you.''My parents say, ``I'll support you if I can't do it,'' so I think that having my children take care of themselves on a regular basis helps them develop a stronger mentality when playing.

At the 2015 World Championships, I was very happy to take 3rd place in singles and doubles, and 2015nd place in the team event.Moreover, that was the year I won the international tournament held in Taiwan and was able to participate in the world championship for the first time. XNUMX was the beginning of my career competing on the world stage, and it was a very memorable season as it was my first taste of the world.

I always get really nervous at any tournament, but the atmosphere at international tournaments is different from other tournaments, and I think it was a really great experience to be able to experience the world level first hand. .I'm clumsy and have to practice harder than most people.However, I became confident that if I prepared well, I would be able to get good results at international competitions.

Then, when I saw athletes in the same intellectually disabled category who are active around the world, I was given the courage to think, ``If I try my best, I can become like that person.''And once again, I was able to feel that the world is big.I think 2015 was a turning point for me.

Although I still have a long way to go overall, I am now able to bring home a medal at every international competition.However, last year (2018) and this year, I competed against players ranked 1st to 8th in the world and lost.If you don't have a mental aspect, a step up in technique, and a lot more to draw from, you won't be able to beat the top players in the world rankings.I think we need to strengthen that aspect.

In January next year's rankings, athletes with intellectual disabilities (Class 1) must rank in the top 11 of the world rankings to be eligible to participate.I'm currently ranked 12th in the world, so I have to move up one place.From here, I would like to break into single digits, around 13th place.

The World Championship will be held in October, and I believe this is the most important match for selection for the national team. By participating in four tournaments: the Slovenia Open in May, the Japan Open in August, the Czech Open in September, and the World Championship in October, you will be able to clear the credit points (participation points) required to participate in the Paralympics. I think it only increases the ranking.

Japan's level in Class 11 is extremely high, and domestic matches are the same as competing at the world level.There are two players above me in the rankings, and there are also high school players who are young and have improved their abilities.

I'm about 3rd place among the Japanese athletes, but the high school student who participated in the recent Asian Championships for the first time won and got the right to participate in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games first, so I'm in 3rd place, so I'm in very good shape. It can be said that the situation has become difficult. I believe that the tournaments starting in October will be the decisive moment.

I have never been to the Paralympics before, so I want to experience it at least once in my life.I also hope that many people will be able to see the wonders of parasports and be encouraged, regardless of whether they are disabled or able-bodied.I want to do my best to make people think that this is the kind of person I want to be.

I am who I am thanks to everyone around me, so I am very grateful.I want to remember to express my gratitude to everyone who supports me on a regular basis, and prepare well so that I can repay them and aim for the gold medal!

If we are aiming for medals in para sports, I believe it is necessary to create a training environment for para athletes as well as general athletes.There are many para athletes who want to do it but can't, so I hope this event will be an opportunity to create an environment where they can dedicate themselves to para sports.

Also, since we do not have a physical disability but an intellectual disability, I would be happy if people could spread their awareness regarding mental care.I hope this will be an opportunity for everyone to come together and understand each other, regardless of whether they are disabled or non-disabled.