Nagoya, Oct. 23 (Jiji Press)–Japanese wheelchair tennis star Tokito Oda secured his second consecutive Asian Para Games title in the men’s singles Friday, qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics. Oda defeated a Chinese opponent 6-2, 6-2 in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games final match in Nagoya, the capital of Aichi Prefecture, central Japan. Upon sealing his victory, Oda, 20, raised both fists in celebration. The reigning champion dominated the final with aggressive play, taking the initiative with his serves and returns while repeatedly moving forward. “It’s the culmination of the 10 years since I started playing tennis,” Oda said. “This is a very significant day for me, and I also feel like today is a new beginning.” He became emotional during an on-court interview. Oda, who started to use a wheelchair at age 9 after developing osteosarcoma, said, “There are many people who are struggling with illnesses or other difficulties.” Still, he said: “We can definitely change things depending on ourselves. Today, I did it.” Among other Japanese athletes, badminton player Daiki Kajiwara, 24, a two-time Paralympic champion, captured gold in the men’s WH2 class wheelchair singles for the second consecutive Asian Para Games. According to the Japan Para Badminton Federation, Kajiwara’s victory in the final marked his 200th consecutive singles match win. In women’s badminton singles, Sarina Satomi, 28, won the WH1 wheelchair class title, while Shino Kawai, 34, took gold in the SL3 class for athletes with lower-limb impairments. In track-and-field events, Yudai Shimazu, 26, clinched a gold medal in the men’s 5,000-meter race for the visually impaired T12/13 class. Keiichi Kimura, 36, won the men’s 100-meter butterfly event for S11 class visually impaired swimmers. The Japanese men’s wheelchair basketball team defeated Iran 55-47 in the final to claim a second consecutive gold medal. In goalball, Japanese men won gold, and women secured silver. Japan finished second in blind football and wheelchair rugby. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
