Going Up: The Power and Positivity of Para Sports

27th February, 2019

It’s not just about getting physically fit: the benefits of taking part in sports are boundless, from boosting self-esteem and fine-tuning leadership skills to fostering communication and general well-being. Mitsubishi Electric has long cheered on teams and athletes competing in sports such as basketball, tennis and badminton. Its deep commitment to supporting sports for everyone is reflected further in its sponsorship of the Japanese Para-Sports Association (JPSA) and Japan Wheelchair Basketball Federation (JWBF).

Para Sports for All

Wheelchair basketball is fast-paced and hard-hitting, but many have yet to experience this exciting sport firsthand. With the cooperation of various groups and organizations, Mitsubishi Electric kicked off the "Going Up Campaign" in October 2016 to help people learn about and participate in wheelchair basketball and other para-sports. Mitsubishi Electric set high goals for this campaign: aiming to hold Going Up events in all of Japan’s 47 prefectures.

When the tour made its way to Tokyo on the weekend of April 29-30, 2018, more than 5,000 people showed up to experience and witness the drama. At the venue in Hibiya Park, an oasis of greenery in the heart of Tokyo, people got to try wheelchair basketball and other sports, including wheelchair rugby, boccia and goalball.

New Experiences

As they tried it for the very first time, wheelchair basketball defied the expectations of participants. A man in his 30s expressed surprise at discovering that the wheelchair design used in the sport is completely different from those of conventional wheelchairs. He said, "I learned for the first time that the wheels are angled outward. I’ve played basketball before, but it was refreshing to move my body in a totally new way." A woman in her 20s also found taking shots to be particularly challenging. "The wheelchair tipped backward when I took shots, so it was really hard to score," she said.

Children had a lot of fun playing wheelchair basketball, too. An elementary schoolgirl said, "I saw it on TV before, but I’m happy I got a chance to actually play the game." Parents were also pleased. "I hope companies keep supporting events like these because it’s fun for the kids and good for their education, too," a mother said.

Ultimate Inspiration

Para-sports athletes also found the Going Up event in Tokyo to be worthwhile. Shunya Nakamachi, a player for the Tohoku Stormers wheelchair rugby team, commented, "While the rough tackling in the sport gets a lot of attention, I think participants could see that winning also requires close-knit teamwork and strategy."

The Tokyo event was just one of many tour stops for the Going Up Campaign. All across Japan, Mitsubishi Electric is holding clinics at elementary schools and other venues to promote para-sports and inclusion. And Mitsubishi Electric is also holding Going Up seminars for its employees to increase their diversity awareness and respect for human rights.

The strength and sportsmanship of para-sports athletes is serving as an inspiration for all of us. As part of its commitment to promote good health and well-being for all, Mitsubishi Electric will continue to actively support para-sports.

The content is true and accurate as of the time of publication.Information related to products and services included in this article may differ by country or region.

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