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Visually impaired athlete Shinya Wada of Japan won the Paralympic silver medal in the men’s T11 1,500 meters on Tuesday at the National Stadium.
Wada, 44, who captured bronze in the men’s T11 5,000 meters earlier in the games, won silver in the 1500m in 4 minutes, 5.27 seconds, his personal best.
Brazilian Yeltsin Jacques won gold with a world record of 3: 57.60, and Fedor Rudakov of the Russian Paralympic Committee took bronze in 4: 05.55.
Japan’s Shinya Wada (C) finishes second in the men’s 1,500-meter T11 final at the Tokyo Paralympic Games on August 31, 2021, at the National Stadium. (Kyodo) == Kyodo
Thinking back to the event, Wada said his positioning was crucial to winning the medal in what was a fast race.
“It was good to position myself in front in the middle of the race because if I stayed behind I would have had problems,” said Wada.
As he neared the finish, guide Takumi Hasebe told Wada that a runner behind him was approaching and Wada said he could hear the footsteps.
Wada made a final swing in the last 300 meters as he expected.
“I left everything on the track,” he said, adding that this may be his last Paralympic Games.
The Osaka Prefecture native was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa while in high school and lost his eyesight completely while a college student.
Fellow Kenya Karasawa, who won silver in the men’s 5,000-meter T11 event on his Paralympic debut in Tokyo, was fourth.
Karasawa said it was unfortunate because he wanted to be on the podium with his guide to show his appreciation to those supporting him.
The Gunma Prefecture native had limited vision at birth and lost his sight completely at the age of 10.
“As it was the final, I was also expecting a fast pace. I thought I could push (myself) a little further but I couldn’t,” said the 27-year-old.
Associated coverage:
Paralympic Games: Keiko Sugiura, 50, wins women’s road time trial
Paralympic Games: Japanese swimming veteran Mayumi Narita puts an end to a fairy tale
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