It took Japan wheelchair rugby captain Yukinobu Ike six months to watch recordings of his matches from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, and it took him another six months for him to put the semifinal defeat behind him.

“I competed at Tokyo 2020, thinking this was the only opportunity for Japan to win the gold medal. I believed it was the only time I could ever win gold in my life,” said Ike, a two-time Paralympic bronze medallist.

“It was very shocking to miss out on that medal.”

Three years later, Ike is preparing to lead his team at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, where he wants to realise his dream winning a gold medal. The players have developed in many ways, and they are ready to take the spotlight in the French capital.

“Now, I believe we can win gold in Paris,” Ike said. “I want to become a better version of myself. I want to play in Paris in a way that will make many people excited and want to support us.”

Rio, Tokyo and Paris

Ike took up wheelchair rugby at age 32, about 13 years after a car accident that left him with severe burns and resulted in the amputation of his left leg. He quickly became one of the best players in the country, helping Japan earn bronze in his Paralympic debut at Rio 2016 and gold at the World Championships in 2018.

At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, held following a one-year postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan finished the group stage without a single loss but were defeated by Great Britain in the semifinals. The hosts won the bronze medal match against Australia.

“(Tokyo 2020) was held 23 years after my accident, and winning gold at the Paralympics was the best thing I could ever accomplish as an athlete,” Ike recalled. “I was confident that we could win the tournament, and it is still not fully clear why we didn't win.”

“But now, I have more experience, and it gives me confidence that we can win (in Paris).”

The Paris 2024 Paralympics, which open on 28 August, feature 22 sports including wheelchair rugby. By winning the WWR Asia-Oceania Championship in July 2023, Japan booked a spot for the Games.

Eight teams – France, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Japan and the USA – will compete in the wheelchair rugby tournament, which is set to take place from 29 August to 2 September at the Champ-de-Mars Arena.

“While Tokyo was most definitely my peak (as an athlete), I still think I am at my peak,” Ike said. “I was in my best condition at the Tokyo Games, and I may not be at the same fitness level as back then, but we are in a better place in terms of experience, performance and teamwork.”

Path to Paris

Ike lives in Kochi Prefecture in western Japan and travels once a month to participate in training camps with the national team. He makes it a rule to include some kind of training in his routine every day.

Training camps with the national team often include playing two matches and reviewing recordings of recent competitions.

“As captain, I try to communicate so that younger players can also talk without being shy. I also try to pay attention to teammates who haven’t been able to perform at their full potential – I often communicate what they are doing well, so that they can show that on court.”

In wheelchair rugby, teams compete to score the most tries by carrying the ball across the try line.

“I want people to check out our team defense. It is difficult to force a turnover in wheelchair rugby, so I want fans to watch how athletes are trying to defend and the different tactics that are involved.

“The Japanese team has been good at defending. During training camps, the players and coaches gather to discuss how to improve our defense. Players used to have different opinions or felt unsure at times, but now we agree with each other and that has become our major strength.”

Forty days to go

In June, Ike led Japan to victory at the Canada Cup, which featured five of the world’s best teams. The Japanese squad, led by head coach Kotaro Kishi, finished the tournament without a single loss, with Ike being named the tournament MVP.

But Ike says the level of every team has been improving and anything can happen in Paris.

“At the Asia-Oceania Championship later year, we beat Australia but lost to them three months later in October. Anything can happen and this is what makes this sport so interesting.

“Fans can watch any match at the Paralympics, and they will enjoy the game.”

With 40 days to go until the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Ike is looking forward to competing in front of spectators and enjoy every competition in the French capital.

“It will be a huge joy for us to play in front of fans,” he said. “It means so much for athletes to have people watching our game. We can perform at our full potential because we have fans cheering us on.

“Fans make our happiness even bigger (when we win) and our disappointment bigger (when we lose).” 

Discover more about wheelchair rugby and the 22 sports in the Paris 2024 Paralympic sports programme 

Book your tickets for the Paralympic Games by visiting the Paris 2024 ticketing website