Tomoki Sato

Started: He took up the sport in 2012. Before his impairment, he had participated in athletics and kickboxing while at school. (asahi.com, 29 Jan 2021; yomiuri.co.jp, 14 Feb 2016) Reason: He was inspired by watching the 2012 Paralympic Games in London on television. "I watched an athlete using a wheelchair moving like a truck at over 30 kilometres an hour. The upper body muscles were amazing. At that time, I thought, 'I want to do this'." (asahi.com, 29 Jan 2021; yomiuri.co.jp, 14 Feb 2016) Awards: He received the Grand Award at the 2019 Japan Para Sports Awards. (yomiuri.co.jp, 06 Dec 2019) In 2016 and 2019 he was presented with the International Competition Excellent Achievement Award by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in Japan. (world-ac.jp, 16 Aug 2019) In 2018 he was given a Special Award by the president of the Japanese Para Sports Association. (prierone.info, 01 Jan 2021) In 2016 he received the Paralympic Special Award from the Japan Paralympic Committee [JPC]. That year he also received the Male Rookie Award at the Japan Para Sports Awards. (world-ac.jp, 16 Aug 2019; the-japan-news.com, 08 Dec 2016) Additional Info: TURNING PROFESSIONAL In January 2021 he became a full-time athlete after quitting the company where he had worked for five years. "Now I have double the time to spend practising. I believe that sports have the power to inspire people and I especially hope to inspire children who are trying to take on challenges." (prierone.info, 01 Apr 2021; news.yahoo.co.jp, 22 Feb 2021; masports.jp, 22 Feb 2021; paraspoplus.com, 05 Feb 2021)