Para athletics: Athletes, fans praise “successful” Kobe tournament

From Kyodo, Barrier Free Japan

May 25 2024

KOBE – Athletes and fans alike praised a “successful” World Para Athletics Championships on Saturday, lauding the tournament for its level of organization and accessibility on its last day in host city Kobe.

The championships have been “absolutely successful,” said New Zealand athlete William Stedman, who took silver in the men’s long jump earlier in the day after nabbing gold in the men’s 400 meters on Sunday, both in the T36 class for coordination impairments.

Stedman said the event “felt very well organized” while applauding the athlete experience, adding, “It’s probably been the best transport I’ve ever had at any major (championships).”

Colombian athlete Karen Palomeque Moreno said the event was a perfect warm-up for this summer’s Paralympics in Paris.

“The (tournament staff) are very well-mannered. They’ve accommodated to each of us according to our disability. The tournament has been very successful because it’s helped us improve ourselves as athletes in preparation for the Paris Paralympics.”

Palomeque Moreno then sped to a 59.40-second world record in the women’s 400-meters T38 final.

“In terms of organization and logistics, it’s been a very good event,” said Emanuel Garibay, team leader of the Mexican national Paralympic committee, while praising the lengths to which organizers went to ensure accessibility.

The tournament kicked off on May 17 and drew fans from all backgrounds to Kobe Universiade Memorial Stadium in Hyogo prefecture, western Japan.

Local resident Ryo Tamura was eager to attend a major international event in his city and support Japan’s national team.

The 42-year-old, who has a trunk impairment and uses a wheelchair, said he enjoys sports and currently plays lawn bowls in addition to his training to partake in 100-meter wheelchair racing. “In athletics, I would be in the T53 class,” he said.

Tamura said Kobe had good infrastructure for people with disabilities, and that it was often well incorporated into the natural environment. “There is a high degree of awareness of disabilities, and facilities are easy to use.”

But another Kobe resident in her 50s said that the city was “divided in some parts,” while also lamenting that attendance could have been better. She came to see the tournament with her husband and daughter, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair.

The woman, who declined to give her name, said she came to the event simply because she enjoyed sports of all kinds. “Watching it live is totally different to seeing it on TV,” she said.

Over 1,000 athletes from over 100 countries and regions descended on the multiday tournament, with many hoping to earn their tickets to Paris.

Erik Alejandro de Santos Espinosa of Mexico won bronze last Sunday in the F52 discus throw final. “All of us are here because our eyes are set on Paris,” he said.

Although the Paralympics are a much bigger and grander stage, Kobe did its best to give Paris a small but tough act to follow.