Kazusa Ogawa

Started: She began judo in grade seven of middle school. (Nippon Challenged Athlete Radio, 18 Oct 2019) Reason: She originally trained in long jump for three years in primary school, but was forced to give up the sport due to her vision impairment. Her friend's father then encouraged her to try judo. She gave up judo after transferring to a school for people with vision impairments in grade 11 of high school, but was introduced to Para judo by her physical education teacher the following year. "I was surprised that people would be still able to do judo despite vision impairment, and I really wanted to get involved in the sport again." (sankei.com, 13 Jan 2020; Nippon Challenged Athlete Radio, 18 Oct 2019) Ambition: To win a gold medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Away from competition, she aspires to work as a Para judo instructor in schools. (pref.chiba.lg.jp, 25 Mar 2022; meisupo.net, 04 Dec 2020; sankei.com, 13 Jan 2020) Additional Info: CHANGE OF WEIGHT CATEGORY In 2018 she switched from the -63kg category to the -70kg class. "In 2018 I was defeated in the -63kg category at the national selection trials. But I desperately wanted to compete at the 2020 Paralympic Games, so I was looking for how to make it. Fortunately, there was a chance in the -70kg at the final selection trials, so I decided to change my category. I normally ate three meals a day, but had to eat three more meals to gain the necessary weight." (Nippon Challenged Athlete Radio, 18 Oct 2019)