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The 43rd Oita International Wheelchair Marathon, the world's most prestigious race that all wheelchair runners aim for, will begin on Sunday, November 17, 2024. This year, 223 runners from 31 prefectures in Japan and 13 countries and regions overseas will gather and run through Oita City at a maximum speed of 70 km/h.
*OMRON is supporting this event as a Platinum Partner. For more information on the event, please click here.
Takumi Sasahara, 24, a relay socket manufacturer at OMRON TAIYO CO, is determined to go beyond his previous best. When he was eight years old, he saw Hiroki Sasahara, a member of OMRON TAIYO, win a silver medal at an international competition in Beijing, and decided to become a wheelchair marathoner for OMRON. After joining OMRON in April 2023, Takumi was able to fulfill his long-cherished dream of competing in last year's race (November 2023), where his idol Hiroki also competed.
The last race in which Takumi(right) competed in with his admirer, Hiroki Sasahara(left)
However, the result didn't go his way as his wheelchair crashed just before the finish line. The wheel of the wheelchair broke, rendering him unable to go further. Will he be able to touch the finish line this year?
OMRON TAIYO has another para-athlete who is ranked 6th in the world (as of November 2024). He is Yuji Togawa (Athletics 1500m - T20*), who works as a PR person for OMRON TAIYO. The two athletes got together to pour their hearts out and talk about their passion for para sports
*T20: intellectual disability class for athletics
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Togawa: You fell in last year's competition and had to withdraw just before the finish line... What went wrong?
Takumi: I made the mistake of replacing my racer (competition wheelchair) right before the competition. There was a slight rattle in the front wheel... I couldn't run straight downhill and ran into the median strip. I was going over 40 km/h, so the whole racer did half a turn to the right. When I came to my senses, my body had jumped out of the racer. I cried in the aid truck on the way home in frustration because I only needed to go another 3 km to reach the goal.
Togawa: I know you trained hard for months to give your best in the competition. It must have been disappointing to not being able to reach the finish line. I was also gutted that I couldn't achieve the desired ranking in the last race in Paris. But if I couldn't make it to the finish line, it would have been the worst feeling. I hope that this year you will be in good physical condition and prepared to stand on the starting line and finish the race to the end.
Takumi: Thank you so much. This time, taking advantage of the lessons learned from last time, I'm making sure that the machine and the gloves (the resin part) are in the best condition.
Togawa: Wow! You are leaving no stone unturned.
Takumi: I don't want to make the same mistake. I am sure I will be making the necessary adjustments and fine-tuning until the very last minute of the opening. I want to prepare thoroughly and finish the race anyway. Also, a local junior will be competing this time, so I am thinking of various strategies not to lose to him.
You have achieved results in numerous international competitions and your experience is far superior to mine. It's amazing that you can perform on the day of the match in front of such a large crowd.
Togawa: It was a great experience. But my rivals were built differently from what I had expected. I realized how fast the world is. I want to give my best in Los Angeles.
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Takumi: Our company (OMRON) has a very understanding workplace, so I can devote myself to sports while balancing work.
Togawa: Exactly. In my case, I am allowed to work short hours until 3:00 p.m., which gives me time to practice well.
Takumi: Even when I had to leave the office for tours, everyone supported me without a single look of disapproval. I am grateful that I can concentrate on the competition with all my energy.
Togawa: Also, since I joined OMRON, I feel I have grown a lot, not only in terms of sports, but also in terms of work. I joined OMRON in January of this year (2024) after training for two years. In the past, I was working at a Type A Handicapped Person's Transition Support for Employment Office. My job at that time was just cleaning. Now I am working in OMRON TAIYO's Diversity & Inclusion Promotion Group, where I manage public relations, mainly in charge of social media. At first, it was difficult for me, but now I find it very enjoyable that I can challenge myself with creative work.
Togawa: OMRON empowers us with a sense of responsibility and I feel that this is what makes my job worthwhile. Athletes cannot live on sports alone forever. Most of the athletes competing in international Para competitions are not able to balance work and athletics as we do. So, I feel very grateful for this opportunity as it will lead to a second career after I retire.
I like the phrase which is often used at OMRON: Think "How can I do it?" rather than "I can't do it because of my disability. It applies to both work and competitions. I would like to continue to take on challenges.
Takumi: I must do my best, too. But first, I have to finish the Oita International Wheelchair Marathon!
Togawa: I will be waiting for you at the finish line as a presenter of the Yutaka Nakamura Award (special award) on the day of the competition, so please do your best.
Takumi: With this machine, I will definitely achieve my desired results. See you at the finish line!
YUJI TOGAWA (28) / OMRON TAIYO Co,
