Ahead of the "Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games" opening on October 18, 2026 (Sun), initiatives are underway at elementary and special needs schools in Aichi Prefecture where medalists and Paralympians interact with children. On June 24 (Wed), Rie Urata, a Goalball medalist, visited Toyohashi Municipal Takasho Elementary School to share the sport's appeal and the importance of accumulating effort towards one's dreams with the children.

The "Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games" (September 19 - October 4) is Asia's largest sporting festival, with athletes from 45 countries and regions competing in 43 sports. Held every four years, this will be the first time it's hosted in Japan in 32 years, since the Hiroshima Games in 1994.

The "Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games" (October 18 - 24), held subsequently, will feature athletes from 45 countries and regions competing in 18 sports.

Aichi Prefecture is at the heart of this dream stage. In Toyohashi City, baseball will be held at the Civic Baseball Stadium, and karate, taekwondo, and the para sport of Goalball will be held at the City General Gymnasium.

What is Goalball?

Goalball is a ball sport invented for people with visual impairments. Regardless of their level of vision, all players wear an eyeshade (blindfold) and throw a ball containing a bell, rolling it to each other. Teams consist of three players who compete to score points in the opponent's goal while defending their own. The defense, involving diving to block balls traveling at speeds of up to 50 km/h, is thrilling and has earned the sport the nickname "the martial art in silence."

The Japanese national team is known as a powerhouse. Urata has participated in four Paralympic Games, winning a gold medal at the London Games and a bronze medal at the Tokyo Games. She retired from active competition in 2022 and has since been involved in nurturing the next generation and promoting the sport.

Defending with the Whole Body Guided by Sound - Children Experience the Appeal of Goalball

On this day, Rikiya Kudo, who led the Japanese men's Goalball team to a gold medal as head coach at the Paris Paralympics, also visited the school. First, all fifth-graders participated in a pass relay. The children closed their eyes, handed the ball to their neighbors, and focused on the sound of the bell from the ball and its weight (1.25 kg), similar to a basketball.

Next, they learned the basic defensive stance. In Goalball, where three players defend a goal 9 meters wide and 1.3 meters high, players extend both arms and legs to stop the ball with their entire body. The children quickly threw themselves left and right, guided by the sound of the bouncing ball.

In the main Goalball experience, the children competed in 3-on-3 matches. Lines on the court had strings threaded under tape, allowing players to gauge their position by feeling the unevenness with their hands and feet.

Wearing eyeshades, the children communicated with each other during play. Relying on the momentary sound of the bell, they used their entire bodies to stop the ball. As sound is crucial during the game, the observing children watched in silence.

Urata also joined a team with two children. When a child blocked Urata's shot, a particularly loud cheer erupted.

Small Accumulations Eventually Lead to Gold Medals - Goalball Medalist Gives a Talk

Urata lost her sight due to illness at the age of 20. At the time, she felt she could no longer do many things and gave up on trying.

Goalball was what saved Urata from despair. In the 2004 Athens Paralympics, the Japanese women's team won a bronze medal in their debut appearance. She watched their performance on TV and recalled, "Even without sight, they could compete with the world, and their efforts with their whole bodies were cool. I wanted to shine like that."

In her talk, she addressed the children as follows:

"Instead of deciding that I couldn't do anything because I couldn't see, I started thinking about how I could do it. I'm sure you all have times when you feel like giving up in your studies or sports, thinking it's impossible. But those are precisely the opportunities. Think, 'What adjustments can I make to succeed?' or 'How can I overcome this with effort?' Take that first small step and try. The accumulation of my willingness to challenge led me to the national team and to a gold medal.

Gold medals aren't won solely through special talent or strength. They are achieved by accumulating small steps of what you can do now. Therefore, you can all win one too. Find your own unique gold medal. Ask yourself, 'What do I like?' and 'What do I want to do?' When you find something you want to work hard at, your everyday life becomes incredibly enjoyable.

Even though I gave up on many things after losing my sight, having dreams allowed me to endure tough training. I urge all of you to take it one step at a time and work towards your own gold medal."

A representative student said, "My dream is to become a teacher. I want to achieve my dream by working hard without giving up, just like Urata-san. Thank you so much for today."

Afterward, the children wrote their goals and aspirations on papers labeled "Challenge Declaration" and posted them. The event concluded with a commemorative group photo. Following Urata's call of "GO!", the children responded energetically with "CHALLENGE!" and posed for the photo with smiles. Finally, they left the gymnasium, touching the gold and bronze medals Urata had brought with her.

A child who experienced Goalball said, "Since I couldn't see, I was scared at first that the ball might hit my face, but it was very fun. I want to watch the matches held in Toyohashi."

Also on this day, Katsuya Yagi, an alumnus of the school and a gold medalist in table tennis at the previous Asian Para Games, made a surprise appearance. He watched the children experience Goalball and later deepened his interaction by eating lunch with them.

Toyohashi Citizens Invited Free to Goalball Matches!

Citizens are invited free of charge to the Goalball competition at the Asian Para Games. This is a chance to witness top athletes' play up close and experience the appeal of parasports! - Target: Residents of Toyohashi City - Competition Dates: Saturday, October 17, 2026 (Sat), Monday, October 19, 2026 (Mon) - Friday, October 23, 2026 (Fri) - Venue: Toyohashi City General Gymnasium - Application Method: Apply from the Toyohashi City website (https://ttzk.graffer.jp/city-toyohashi/smart-apply/apply-procedure/1233495784693911476) from Wednesday, July 1, 2026 (Wed) to Monday, August 17, 2026 (Mon). We encourage you to apply for this opportunity and cheer on the athletes at the venue.

C Japan Goalball Association

Tickets for the 20th Asian Games and 5th Asian Para Games Now on Sale!

Please come and watch the athletes' passionate battles at the venue!

From the Toyohashi City website (https://www.city.toyohashi.lg.jp/61599.htm), you can find competition schedules for events held in Toyohashi City (baseball, karate, taekwondo) and details about tickets.

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  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Event