Kunieda ready to put on a show at Tokyo 2020

Three-time Paralympic champion Shingo Kunieda is still getting to grips with the notion that the Paralympics are heading to his home town of Tokyo in 2020. But he is determined to make his mark when the Games begin in 12 months’ time.

The 35-year-old won the men’s singles gold medal at Beijing 2008 and London 2012 and men’s doubles gold with Satoshi Saida at Athens 2004. But the idea of winning once more on his home court? “It is my dream, yeah,” he admits.

“I still cannot imagine that in one year I have a home Paralympic Games. Japanese people like the Olympics and Paralympics, so it should be a very exciting place and a great atmosphere from the spectators.”

Having lost his opening singles match in three set to David Hall on his Paralympic debut in Athens, Kunieda was untouchable in both Beijing and London, winning and then defending his title without dropping a set. But his 14-match winning streak was snapped in the quarter-finals at Rio 2016 by Joachim Gerard, who went on to claim bronze.

Asked which of his Paralympic memories stands out as he eyes a fifth Games in Tokyo, Kunieda said: “London 2012, it was the best memory, because I think the spectators know their tennis. It is always very exciting to play there. And I won the gold medal, so that’s the best memory for me.”

Kunieda makes no secret of his aim to be a contender once more when the Tokyo Paralympics begin on August 25, 2020. Already he has earmarked time to train on the courts to be used in a year’s time: “The Ariake Stadium has been under construction, but after the ATP event in October we can play.”

And there’s more to Tokyo 2020 for Kunieda than the quest for glory. It is a chance for him, for Yui Kamiji and for all of Japan’s wheelchair tennis players to inspire the next generation of Paralympians, in the host nation and beyond.

“I can’t really imagine what it will be like in 2020,” Kunieda repeated. “For many people, it will be the first time they see wheelchair tennis – I want to show them how exciting wheelchair tennis can be.”