On the fourth day (31st) of the Paris Paralympics, Kota Kubota (NTT Finance) won the silver medal in the men’s 100m backstroke (motor impairment S8). In the women’s 100m backstroke (visual impairment S12), Ayano Tsujiuchi came in 5th, and Aira Kinoshita (both Mitsubishi Corporation) came in 6th in the 200m freestyle (intellectual impairment). Tomomi Ishiura (Itochu Marubeni Steel) was eliminated in the 50m freestyle (visual impairment S11).

In the women’s long jump (prosthetic limb/functional impairment T64), Takakuwa Saki (NTT East Japan) placed 5th and Nakanishi Maya (Tsuru Gakuen Club) placed 7th. In the women’s cycling 500m time trial (motor impairment C1-3) preliminaries, Sugiura Yoshiko (Sogo Medical) was eliminated in 7th place overall.

Sarina Satomi (NTT Urban Development) of the women’s badminton singles (wheelchair WH1) advanced to the semifinals, and Hidetaka Sugimura (TOKIO Inkarami) of the men’s boccia (cerebral palsy BC2) advanced to the quarterfinals. Yui Kamiji (Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation) of the women’s wheelchair tennis singles advanced to the second round.

The Story of Kota Kubota

Frankly, I’m disappointed. If I had achieved my personal best, I could have won the gold medal. The first half was slower than I expected. I wasn’t satisfied with my time. I want to improve my form while looking ahead to four years from now.

Saki Takakuwa said she felt more confident than she had in any other world championships up until now. Her jumps were in such good shape. (Kyodo News)