Shinichi Shimakawa

Started: He began playing wheelchair rugby in 1999. (Athlete, 04 Sep 2016) Reason: One of his friends introduced him to the sport. (Athlete, 04 Sep 2016) Milestones: At the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, he became the first Japanese wheelchair rugby player to compete at five editions of the Paralympic Games. (SportsDeskOnline, 01 Jul 2024) He became the oldest Japanese wheelchair rugby player to win a Paralympic medal in the sport when he was part of the team that claimed bronze at the 2020 Games at age 46 years and 212 days. (SportsDeskOnline, 01 Jul 2024) Awards: He was named Best 3.0 Class Player at the national championship in Japan in 2000, 2001, 2017, and 2018. (mitsuifudosan.co.jp, 10 Jan 2018; city.tokorozawa.saitama.jp, 21 Nov 2015) In 2016 he received the Saitama Prefecture Athletics President's Special Award and the Sainokuni Sports Achievement Award in Japan. (pref.saitama.lg.jp, 01 Dec 2016) In 2016 he was given the Nagasu Town Achievement Honorary Citation Award in Japan. (town.nagasu.lg.jp, 01 Dec 2016) In 2015 he received the Tokorozawa Sports Excellence Award in Japan. (city.tokorozawa.saitama.jp, 24 Feb 2016) He was named Best 3.0 Class Player at the 2006 World Championship in Christchurch, New Zealand. (melrosewheelchairs.com, 2010) Additional Info: CLUB FOUNDER In 2005 he founded the BLITZ wheelchair rugby team in Japan. (barclays.co.jp, 17 Apr 2023; city.tokorozawa.saitama.jp, 21 Nov 2015)