Japan Para Swimming Championships Record-breaking performances continue!

The Japan Disabled Sports Association Japan Paralympic Committee held the "IPC (International Paralympic Committee) Official 2015 Japan Para Swimming Championships" (Sponsors: 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, Tokyo Tatemono, Daikyo, Avex Group Holdings).

Approximately 270 athletes, both men and women, participated from across the nation. The competition unfolded in the format of international races, with preliminaries in the morning and finals in the afternoon.

In swimming competitions for athletes with disabilities, participants are classified by the type and degree of their disability, allowing athletes with similar competitive abilities to compete for rankings. Furthermore, even in events that typically use a starting block, athletes facing difficulties may start from the water, use assistive devices, or receive support from assistants.

University student Mei Ichinose, aiming for her first Paralympic appearance, broke her own Japanese records in the women's 200-meter individual medley and women's 50-meter freestyle during the May 5 preliminaries, then won the finals in both events.

London Paralympic silver and bronze medalist Keiichi Kimura, who won gold at the "Glasgow 2015 World Aquatics Championships" this July, and Takuro Yamada, who won silver in Glasgow (Related article: http://dentsu-ho.com/articles/3029 ), also performed well. Kimura won gold in the 400-meter freestyle, 100-meter breaststroke, 100-meter backstroke, and 100-meter freestyle. Yamada also claimed gold in the 50-meter freestyle and 100-meter freestyle.

Additionally, Mayumi Narita, who competed in four consecutive Paralympic Games from Atlanta to Beijing and won 15 gold medals, drew significant attention. Narita demonstrated her enduring prowess by winning the 100-meter breaststroke and 100-meter freestyle events.

Excellent performances continued across other events, resulting in 2 new Asian records, 30 new Japanese records, and 58 new Games records over the two days.

Reflecting the growing interest in disabled sports in recent years, the event drew approximately 1,500 spectators over the two days, with enthusiastic cheering for the athletes standing out.

Japan Para Games Official Website: http://japanpara.com/