Anri Sakurai

Started: She took up the sport in 2014. (jiji.com, 28 Feb 2020) Reason: She was previously involved in Para surfing in the summer months and sit skiing in the winter months, but she wanted a sport that she could practise all year round. She decided to focus on wheelchair fencing after meeting Kanoko Harada, secretary general of the Japan Wheelchair Fencing Association, at an outdoor shop where she worked as a shop assistant. (parasapo.tokyo, 28 Oct 2020; Nippon Challenged Athlete YouTube channel, 27 May 2016) Ambition: To win a medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (masports.jp, 26 Oct 2023) Additional Info: CHANGE HANDEDNESS She decided to switch from competing with her right hand to her left hand following the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. She made the decision because she had been affected by an injury to her right elbow since 2020. "[In 2023], I was finally able to fight with my left hand. This season is the best for me, as I've achieved many things that I couldn't do with my right hand." (masports.jp, 26 Oct 2023) MOVE TO ENGLAND She relocated to England in December 2018 to train with coach Kenichi Yamamoto. "Thanks to my company's support, I was able to focus on training in London. I always realised my lack of experiences after finishing competitions. When I kept thinking about how to become strong as well as how to become an unbeaten player, I realised that I had no choice except to leave Japan." (masports.jp, 26 Oct 2023; wheelchairfencing1henry.wordpress.com, 07 Apr 2020; sports.nhk.or.jp, 06 Jan 2020; parasapo.tokyo, 12 Mar 2019)