Para-swimmer Uchu Tomita will compete in the men’s 400m freestyle in the visually impaired category in the S11 category at the Paralympic Games in Paris on Friday.
17:28 JST, September 1, 2024
PARIS — Para-swimmer Uchu Tomita raised his right arm to loud cheers from spectators on the podium as he won bronze in the men’s 400-meter freestyle in the visually impaired S11 category at the Paris Paralympic Games on Friday.
“I was able to pick myself up because of the cheering. I wanted to respond to the cheering,” Tomita said. Tomita, whose first Paralympic appearance was the 2021 Tokyo Para Games, enjoyed his first Games with spectators and made his presence felt.
Tomita was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic eye condition that led to loss of vision, at age 16. He now takes swimming lessons to improve his eyesight.
Tomita, now 35, had considered not competing in the 400-meter para-swimming events, which require endurance. But after hearing how younger para-swimmers were energetically challenging themselves at last year’s world championships, Tomita was inspired to enter such events to see how he could keep up with younger swimmers.
Tomita resumed full training a year ago and developed his endurance through training programs that students followed.
“I didn’t know I could swim at this level,” Tomita said. “I realized my potential and I feel like I can move forward.”
“Was I able to show a hardworking old man?” Tomita said, smiling with his bronze medal.
