[Tokyo 2020] Japan, a stable offensive and defensive team, defeated dark horse Denmark to win two consecutive wins!

Wheelchair Rugby/Mixed Qualifying Group A/Japan 60-51 Denmark (August 26, Yoyogi Stadium)

In the second match of the qualifying pool, Japan's opponent is Denmark. Although he is ranked 7th in the world, in his first match, he raised Venus from the "yokozuna" Australia, who is aiming for his third straight Paralympic title. On the first day, Japan made mistakes due to nervousness, but on this day, they held the initiative by blocking the opponent's offense with a solid defense from the beginning and scoring from turnovers.

In the second period, there were times when the score was tied, but Japan kept their composure and carefully returned the score. By further enhancing offensive and defensive cooperation, they raised the gear of offense and did not allow a comeback. In the second half, captain Tonobu IKE (Nikko Asset Management) made use of his height to cut the opponent's passes and score a try, widening the lead again. Ace Daisuke Ikezaki (Mitsubishi Corporation) also scored 24 points, the most in the team. 19-year-old Katsuya Hashimoto (Miharu Town Hall), Shunya Nakamachi (Colopl), and Hitoshi Ogawa (Bayer Yakuhin) also participated for the first time and contributed to the team's victory.

On the paralympic stage of the Paralympic Games, which is filled with tension, the Japanese national team is at its best. I feel that in a team that combines young players and veterans, they are well-balanced both tactically and mentally. Also, a veteran is not just a mental support. 46-year-old Shinichi Shimakawa (Barclays Securities), who has participated in five consecutive tournaments since the Athens tournament, showed explosive power with 11 goals in a playing time of seven and a half minutes in the match against Denmark, pulling his teammates at the forefront.

"I definitely don't want to lose". Beneath his cool expression, he has a burning passion. Even if the place to practice is lost due to the corona wreck, he will continue to do what he can without hesitation, and will not hesitate to make further efforts to strengthen his physical body, and will listen obediently to the words of young players. HC Kevin Orr, who took office in 2017, also commented on Shimakawa, saying, "I'm still evolving."

"I've been competing for 22 years, and I've been on the national team for 20 years. I've finally become the oldest on the team, but I think it's amazing that I've been doing it for 22 years and still have a lot to learn, and I'm still evolving. This is my 5th Paralympic Games, and I've been frustrated over and over again.I finished with a bronze medal at the last Rio Paralympic Games.So I'm putting everything I've done up until now into this Games, these 5 days. I'm thinking of hitting it on

There is only one goal, the gold medal at the Paralympic Games. Along with his strongest companions, he heads for the straight road that leads there.

(Interview/Text: Miharu Araki, Photography: Yoshiharu Uehara)