Swimmer Takayuki Suzuki brought Japan its first Paris Paralympics gold medal — and its first medal of any color — on Thursday, the first day of competition following a festive opening ceremony the day before.
The 37-year-old Suzuki, who has 10 medals from the past five Paralympic Games, added a gold to his already impressive medal cabinet by winning the men's 50-meter breaststroke event in the SB3 class.
Suzuki, who was born with limb deficiencies in both legs and his right arm, finished in 48.04 seconds in the final to set a personal best — something he hasn't done in the past 16 years since the 2008 Beijing Games. The normally calm swimmer thrust both arms into the air in joy after the race.
"I've tried many things in the past 16 years, and it finally bore fruit.," Suzuki said. "I'm very happy."
Suzuki earned bronze in the same category at the Tokyo Games three years ago, but was not satisfied with that result.
"He has been working to take back the gold (he won at the 2008 Beijing Games) by breaking his personal record for the first time in 16 years," said head coach Taichi Kishimoto, who began helping Suzuki with his breaststroke in January of last year.
The turning point came about 1½ months ago. Following Kishimoto's advice, Suzuki tweaked how he stretches his right arm after his strokes. By moving his right arm, which ends at the elbow, closer to the center of his body and then forward, he was able to attain better balance, which significantly improved his performance.
He clocked good times at domestic meets in July, and during a training camp just before the Paris Games, which gave him a boost in confidence.
Suzuki still has other swimming events left in Paris, and is looking forward to earning more medals.
In other events on Thursday, 15-year-old swimmer Taiyo Kawabuchi finished seventh in the men's 400-meter freestyle in the S9 class.
Naohide Yamaguchi and Aira Kinoshita both had fifth-place finishes in the men's and women's 100-meter butterfly competitions in the S14 class, respectively.
Japan defeated Germany in the men's wheelchair rugby 55-44 in a Group A preliminary round match.
Suzuki is hoping his triumph can help motivate the rest of Team Japan.
"It gave momentum from the first day (of competition)," he said. "Hopefully, it'll spread to the entire Japan team."
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