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“I was chosen for the role because of three things that made me feel like I was in a gyudon bowl (laughs).”
He hails from Koto Ward, an area with many rivers where water sports are popular. He was a canoeist in a club activity in junior high school, but was injured in a gym class in his first year of high school and became wheelchair-bound. After that, he encountered paracanoeing when it was decided that the Paralympics would be held in Tokyo. “I was invited because they said they had all three qualities: a resident of Koto Ward, experienced in canoeing, and young. Fast, cheap, and good, something like that (laughs).”
I get scolded for it. For me, Mizukami is barrier-free.
“When I’m floating on the river in a canoe, no one knows I have a disability, so I get scolded or encouraged. It’s really nice when people talk to me without any preconceptions. I’m happy that they see me as a competitor. The fun of canoeing is simply getting stronger. Depending on the situation, whether there’s a headwind or a tailwind, your time can change, so breaking your own records and pursuing a good row is the best kind of fun.”
He quickly rose to prominence and joined the Japanese national team, where he placed 7th at the Tokyo Paralympics, aiming to win a medal. Although he was one place higher than in the Rio Games, he was not satisfied with the results. After that, he injured his left arm and underwent surgery. He even considered quitting canoeing.
“Until the Tokyo Games, my motivation in life was to do well at the Tokyo Games, so I couldn’t find a reason not to continue canoeing. Everyone was excited about the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, and I was on that trend, so there was no need for me to leave. But after Tokyo was over, I went back to university to study, and there was a period when I couldn’t canoe because of an injury, so the option of retiring from canoeing came up. I was worried that I might not be able to return to competitive sports, so I was quite worried.
But I was able to find fun things to do outside of canoeing, and realize that even if I don’t canoe every day, ‘yes, my life is fun,’ but I still wanted to canoe and get stronger. I think that’s one way I’ve grown, and that’s a big difference from the Tokyo Olympics.”
After undergoing surgery, he returned to competition with renewed enthusiasm.
“Last year, after my surgery on my arm was over and I got my own hand again, I thought, ‘Now I can finally do my best. I’ve been given the environment where I can do my best in canoeing.’ Even while I was struggling, there were many people who supported me in my return to competition, and I wanted to make the most of this environment. My coach also played a big role. It’s fun canoeing with Coach Nishi (Akemi) (laughs). When I’m rowing, I often feel like ‘The boat is moving forward,’ and when my coach says ‘That’s great!’ that coincides.”
Source: Japan