【Report】Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon 2022 Press Conference (Para Athletes)

Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon 2022 Press Conference (Invited Athletes Press Conference) was held on Friday, October 14, 2 days before the race at the Japan National Stadium which will serve as the start and finishing point of the race.

First the press conference for “Para Athlete T53/54 (wheelchair)” was held with a greeting by Masazumi Soejima, Wheelchair Race Director. “Based on the characteristic of the course, how athletes run the race in the first half will impact the overall race. I’m anticipating a very heated race.”
Next, from the invited athletes, Tomoki Suzuki (T54) from men’s field and Wakako Tsuchida (T54) from women’s field took the stage. They both raced this course at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.
Suzuki committed to racing aggressively commenting, “my condition is good. My racing sense is gradually returning, and I look forward to the race. Considering the characteristic of the course, the first half will determine the outcome, so I hope to be solo in the first half.”
Tsuchida shared the key points of the race commenting, “more changes are likely to occur with my body every year, but I hope to enjoy and put in my effort. The steep hill in the latter half is an especially memorable obstacle. It will most likely be key to the race.”
Tsubasa Kina, whom Tsuchida commented about at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games “it was very memorable because I was able to truly experience the joy of running together as we crossed the finish line”, will also be participating. There is anticipation that the Japan record of 48:46 set in 2022 will be broken if the two compete head to head.
Regarding the message they want to relay through their race, Suzuki commented “I want to relay the joy of sport to children with disabilities.” And Tsuchida commented energetically “the potential of humans regardless of whether or not you have a disability.”

In the following press conference for “para-athlete T11/12 (vision impairment), Kaoru Shijo, Race Management Director, took the stage and explained, “we added a diverse disability class in addition to the wheelchair class in hopes of expanding the opportunity for more para-athletes to challenge themselves. He shared his encouragement by commenting “I look forward to each athlete competing well with their own individual commitment.”
Men’s athlete Shinya Wada, T11 (blind) class, and women’s athlete Misato Michishita, T12 (partially sighted) class took the stage. Both medaled at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games with Wada taking silver in the 1500m and bronze in the 5000m, and Michishita taking the gold in the marathon.
Both stated that they have continued to perform well since the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games. Wada commented “this will be my first half marathon in five and a half years, and I will aim for my personal best.” Michishita also shared her commitment "I will race to better my personal record, toward the winter marathon.”
Asked about their impression of the course, Wada commented “the course has very few bumps which can be dangerous for blind athletes, which makes it possible to go for the record. I definitely want to set a personal best.” Michishita commented “this is a course that has only good memories. Rival is ‘Misato Michishita`. There’s the potential to set a new Japanese record if I can set my pace.” Both shared very powerful comments showing they are in good condition.
There are also many intellectually impaired (T20) athletes entered in the race. Please cheer on the para-athletes who have each set their own goals.