Chasing the back of the legend, he took a strong first step. 17-year-old Tokito Oda won his first victory in the men’s singles wheelchair division at the French Open. The youngest person ever to win the Grand Slam tournament in the same event. He also became the youngest person to reach number one in the world rankings. Shingo Kunieda, a three-time Paralympic gold medalist, will retire in January this year. The great victory won by his successor gave courage to children in the same situation, saying, “Illness is not just a negative thing.”
Oda, who was born in Ichinomiya City, Aichi Prefecture, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his left hip joint when he was nine years old when he dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player. He has an artificial joint and uses a wheelchair, and his first dream is shattered. In despair, I saw a video of Mr. Kunieda fighting in the London Para final in his sickbed. He has her hopes and goals again.
In 2021, at the age of 14 years and 11 months, he became the youngest junior player in the world rankings, and turned professional in April last year. He made his Grand Slam debut at the French Open shortly after. Building on her strength, in October she faced Kunieda in the final of the Rakuten Japan Open. Although she lost, she was close to the champion who won the gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympic Games. In Kunieda’s last match in Japan, he firmly announced himself as his successor.
Kunieda is also a leading figure in spreading the appeal of wheelchair tennis to the world through his achievements, including winning 28 Grand Slam singles titles. Oda is trying to follow suit in terms of her promotional activities. In April of this year, she announced that she and her sponsor would host Japan’s first international wheelchair tennis junior tournament (August in Gifu). She shows her passion to ‘uplift the sport’ with her actions.
He suffered from the disease at a young age, and he strongly believes that wheelchair tennis saved him. That’s why Oda puts all of his effort into becoming a person who gives hope to children who are in the depths of despair, especially by playing an active role. The ace baton entrusted to him by Mr. Kunieda. It is not only strength, but also the determination to carry on thoughts that touch people’s hearts. We can’t take our eyes off the talented young athletes heading to the Paris and Para Paralympics next summer.
2023-06-12 22:46:54
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