Juntendo University Graduate School second-year athlete Daiki Ishiyama (24), from Matsuyama City, who has been selected to compete in the men’s long jump visually impaired (T12) class at the Paris Paralympics starting in August, visited the Ehime Prefectural Office on the 26th and paid a courtesy call on Governor Tokihiro Nakamura. Regarding his first Paralympics appearance, Ishiyama said, “I was happy when I found out I had been selected. I want to win a medal and give back.”

Ishiyama started athletics when she was in junior high school. During her time at Nitta High School, she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a rare disease designated by the government. While attending St. Catherine University, she switched to para-athletics. At the World Para Athletics Championships held in Kobe in May, she won the silver medal with a new Japanese record of 7.08 meters.

Looking back on the World Championships where she was selected to compete in the Paralympics, Ishiyama analyzed herself, saying, “I think I’m the type of person who is good at actual competitions and gets excited about big competitions.” Looking ahead to the Paris Games, she said, “The support of the people of the prefecture is helping me. I’ll train hard in the two months (until the games) and perform to the best of my ability.” Governor Nakamura noted that this will be the first time since the 2000 Sydney Games that someone from the prefecture has competed in a Paralympic track and field event, and encouraged her, saying, “We, the people of the prefecture, are cheering you on, so I hope you’ll do your best and be in top condition.”[Hirose Akiko]