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2016 Japan Para Goalball Tournament Pre-Rio Tournament Held in Three Countries
The Japan Disabled Sports Association held the "2016 Japan Para Goalball Tournament" over three days from July 22 to 24 at the Adachi City General Sports Center in Tokyo. Sponsors included Japan Airlines, National Mutual Insurance Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives, TANAKA Holdings, Tokyo Gas, Chugai Pharmaceutical, 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, Shimizu Corporation, Ajinomoto Co., Nomura Holdings, Daiwa Securities Group Inc., Tokyo Gas Cooperative Companies, All Nippon Airways, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha) was held. Participating teams included the women's national teams from Israel and South Korea, along with Team A from Japan (composed of members who competed in the Rio Paralympics) and Team B from Japan (primarily composed of younger players).
Goalball is a team sport for visually impaired athletes, played separately by men and women. It is a competitive game where teams throw a ball containing bells at each other to score points. It is a Paralympic sport where athletes sharpen senses other than sight to compete, relying on the sound of the ball rolling, calls between players, the sound of the opponent moving, floor vibrations, and the feel of the lines. To ensure competitive fairness regardless of the degree of visual impairment, players wear an eye patch and an eye shade, playing with their vision completely blocked.
Due to the nature of the sport, spectators cannot cheer vocally or make noise during play, creating an intense battle unfolding in silence.
On the 22nd and 23rd, 12 preliminary league matches were held, followed by the third-place match and final on the last day. Japan's B team faced South Korea in the third-place match, winning 5-2.
The final was between Japan's Team A and Israel, a match that could be seen as a prelude to the Rio Games. Israel took a 3-0 lead in the first half. Japan scored two goals in the second half but couldn't catch up, and Israel won the championship. Although Team A finished second, they have the proven track record of winning gold at the London Games, raising expectations for their performance in Rio.
During breaks in the matches, goalball experience sessions were held at the venue, attracting many spectators.
During the demonstration by male athletes, spectators were visibly amazed by the ball's speed and the defenders' reactions. In defense and throwing practice sessions, participants experienced the difficulty of competing without sight. Mini-games featured children and women successfully blocking the ball, drawing cheers and creating a friendly atmosphere.
Japan Sports Association for Persons with Disabilities: http://www.jsad.or.jp/index.html
Japan Goalball Association: http://www.jgba.jp/index.html
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