Worth seeing!! Have you ever seen wheelchair rugby?
The Japan Sports Association for the Disabled (JPSA) and the Japan Paralympic Committee held the "2015 Japan Para Wheelchair Rugby Tournament" (co-hosted by the Japan Wheelchair Rugby Federation) at Chiba Port Arena in Chiba City from May 22 to 24.
( JPSA Official Partners: Japan Airlines, JA Mutual Aid Association, Tanaka Kikinzoku Group, Tokyo Gas, Chugai Pharmaceutical, Fujicco, Mitsubishi Corporation, Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance, Mitsubishi Electric, Suntory Holdings, Daido Life Insurance, Toppan Printing, Morisawa, Toyota Motor Corporation, Goldwin, East Japan Railway Company)
Wheelchair rugby is a sport played in wheelchairs, primarily by athletes with quadriplegia or paraplegia. It was invented in Canada in 1977 and is an international team sport widely popular in Europe and North America.
It first appeared as a demonstration sport at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics and became an official event starting with the 2000 Sydney Paralympics.
The sport was introduced in Japan after the Atlanta Games, and the federation was established in 1997. The Japanese national team placed fourth at the 2012 London Paralympics and currently holds the fourth position in the world rankings. It is one of the sports expected to win medals at future Paralympics.
Each team consists of four players, with each athlete classified into one of seven levels (0.5 to 3.5 points) based on their disability level. The total points of the four players on the court must not exceed 8.0 points.
A specialized ball, developed based on a volleyball, is used. Players move the ball using methods other than kicking (throwing, hitting, dribbling, rolling, etc.). Unlike regular rugby, forward passes are permitted. Scoring occurs when a player crosses the goal line between two pylons while in possession of the ball.
Tackling is permitted to stop an opponent's attack or defense. Wheelchairs are specially designed to withstand the intense collisions and are tailored to the player's position and role.
The final match between Japan and Great Britain took place on the 24th. Both teams are ranked 4th and 5th in the world. The game featured frequent tackles, with the impact of colliding wheelchairs echoing through the venue. Some players even toppled over from the force, showcasing the intensity that once earned the sport the nickname "Murderball."Japan won the match 57-43. Denmark placed third, and New Zealand fourth.
Organizing bodies are actively hosting events to attract spectators to Japan Para and expand the Paralympic fanbase. Ahead of this tournament, they held the "Japan Para Support Project: Athlete Exchange Caravan" for local elementary school students, featuring athlete talks and trial sessions.
At the venue, they distributed competition guidebooks, provided live commentary during matches, and offered daily opportunities for visitors to experience sitting in competition wheelchairs.
The Asia-Oceania Championships for wheelchair rugby, which will determine qualification for the 2016 Rio Paralympics, will be held at Chiba Port Arena from October 29th to November 1st.
We encourage you to experience the sheer power of the sport and the athletes' dynamic energy, transcending the boundaries of disability sports.
It's definitely worth seeing.
Japan Disabled Sports Association website: http://www.jsad.or.jp/
Japan Wheelchair Rugby Federation website: http://www.jwrugby.com/
＊Japan Para
Japan Para Games: The premier domestic competition hosted by the Japan Disabled Sports Association and Japan Paralympic Committee, co-organized with various sports federations. Events include wheelchair rugby, goalball, swimming, track and field, cross-country, and alpine skiing.
〈Upcoming Competition Schedule〉
Goalball: July 29 - August 2 (Adachi Ward General Sports Center)
Swimming: September 5–6 (Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Center)
Athletics: September 19–20 (Nagai Athletics Stadium)
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