On February 8, 2022, the Japanese Paralympic Committee (the “JPC”) announced that it had decided on the first Japanese national team that will be sent to the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics, being held from Friday, March 4, 2022, until Sunday, March 13, 2022, and also announced that alpine skier Momoka Muraoka (Doctoral Program, Graduate School of Sport Sciences) will serve as captain. Muraoka also played a major role at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Paralympics as a flag-bearer. Continuing on from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Junichi Kawai (graduated from the School of Education in 1998 and completed the Graduate School of Education in 2005) will serve as the Chef de Mission of the Japanese national team.
Waseda University has had multiple individuals play prominent roles at the Olympics and Paralympics, with flag-bearers including Yui Susaki at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, alumni Koyo Iwabuchi and Mami Tani at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, and Akito Watabe at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, and Momoka Muraoka’s appointment as captain of the Japanese national team continues this honor.
Comment from Chef de Mission Junichi Kawai
Picture: KyodoNews
I am Junichi Kawai, and, continuing on as Chef de Mission of the Japanese national team at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, I will also serve as Chef de Mission of the Japanese national team at the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics. I am a Paralympian in swimming, so this will be my first time joining the Winter Paralympics team. I will fulfill my duties as Chef de Mission by making use of the experience and relationships with competition groups and athletes that I have cultivated over the past two years as JPC President.
First of all, we will adhere to the disease-prevention playbook and take thorough measures against infectious diseases. We will also provide the utmost support so that our athletes can compete at peak performance and in safe and secure situations. We believe that this will convey our gratitude to the many individuals who have been confronted with difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, we would like to continue the excitement of the Tokyo Paralympics and convey the appeal of the Winter Paralympics towards the realization of a vibrant and inclusive society. We think that the appeal of winter sports is in the difficulty of facing nature and in the use of tools. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and little experience competing within China, the Beijing 2022 Paralympics will be a tournament where team strength and adaptiveness are required, and everyone involved will work together to provide the athletes with the utmost support.
We hope that you will continue to enthusiastically cheer on the Japanese national team for the 10 days starting on March 4. Thank you.
Comment from Athlete Momoka Muraoka
I am para-alpine skier Momoka Muraoka, and I will be the captain of the Japanese national team at the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics.
I am very pleased and honored to have been a flag-bearer at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Paralympics and to be the captain at the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics, but I still feel that I have a long way to go as an athlete.
It would be a lie to say that I am not worried about whether I can lead the Japanese national team as captain. However, I also think that it is an opportunity to graduate from just being a follower to being a leader.
As I have continued competing, I have been supported by many people and have been led and guided by more experienced individuals that I respect, and now it is my turn to step into that role as a leader and guide. I may not yet be perfect in this role, but I will give my all in leading the Japanese national team.
Additionally, we also recognize that many people are living a restricted life due to the devastation caused by COVID-19. We, the Japanese national team, will do our utmost to bring smiles and hope to Japan and to people all around the world. Thank you for your warm cheers and support.
*Comments are quotes from JPC announcement materials
