Gold-winning Paris Paralympian Tennis Player Tokito Oda Triumphs in First Match Since Games

From NHK

September 27 2024

TOKYO – 18-year-old Tokito Oda, who won the gold medal in the men’s singles at the Paris Paralympics, showed his skills by winning his first match after the Games in Tokyo in straight sets 2-0.

Oda won a gold medal in men’s singles and a silver medal in men’s doubles at his first Paralympic Games in Paris.

Oda, ranked No. 1 in the world, played his first match after the Paralympics in the first round of the men’s wheelchair singles tournament held in Koto-ku, Tokyo, against a Chinese player ranked No. 55 in the world.

The match was played on an indoor court with no spectators due to rain, but Oda started off the first set with his signature powerful shots, scoring return aces to take the break, and then went on to win 6 games in a row to take the set 6-0.

In the second set, Oda boldly moved forward to volley and hit a controlled backhand ball down the line, leaving his opponent no room to take advantage.

Oda showed overwhelming strength without dropping a single game, winning in straight sets 2-0 to advance to the semifinals.

Oda said, “I played a very good match. I hope that many people will be able to see my match from tomorrow onward. Winning the gold medal made it impossible for me to lose, but I think I can become even stronger. I want to make this sport not only about winning, but also about making people aware of the sport so that they will want to try it,” he said.