Wheelchair Athlete Tomoya Ito Updates

April, 2010 Update

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:50:14 PDT

Update from web teamIt has been over a year since we updated this web site. So I would like to take a moment to give you the update of Tomoya Ito.Throughout 2009-2010, he has been in-and-out of hospital. His multiple sclerosis symptoms started coming out in 2009. Therefore, he was not been able to perform well at the last a couple races. However, I would like to give you guys an update that he has just returned from 2nd surgery. And he would resume his training... trying to quality for the world cup games.He has not given up for London Paralympic, and we would continue to support him as long as he pursue his dream. Thank you very much.Katz Ueno- Webmaster of Ito Tomoya's web site

20th Wheelchair Ekiden in Kyoto

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 07:00:15 PST

On Sunday Feb 22, Ito-san attended 20th Wheelchair Ekiden Championship in Kyoto as a member of Mie Pref. Team.Ekiden is a long distance relay race originalted in Japan.Every prefectures in Japan organized a team. But this is the first time that Mie Prefecture were able to organize a team.Mie Prefecture Team MembersFrom Left: Ito-san, Teruyo Tanaka, Junichiro Inaba,Katsuhiko Tanaka, and Masaru Kobayashi

Christmas Concert at Suzuka Hospital

Thu, 25 Dec 2008 03:52:00 PST

On December 21, Ito-san attended Christmas Concert at Suzuka Chuo Sogo Byoin (Suzuka Central Hospital).After the brass band concert by Kanbe High School Brass Band, he talked about his experience during Beijing Paralympic.He enjoyed and concert and appreciated his audience who attended this event.

Mie TV Genki Taisho

Thu, 25 Dec 2008 03:52:37 PST

On December 18th, 2008,Mie-TV hosted the ceremony and gave Ito-san MIe TV's Genki Taisho to Ito-san.Genki means cheer-up .Mie TV has been giving out this award to the people in Mie Prefecture who contribute the community through art, culture, sports and other activities since 2004.Ito-san and we appreciate Mie-TV for giving us such a honable award.

"Peanuts-Found In Translation" Opening Ceremony

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:46:07 PST

Ito-san attended the opening ceremony of Peanuts Artist, YOSHI's exhibit at Bell City Suzuka on Dec 11th, 2008 with his teammate, Teruyo Tanaka who is the bronze medalist of 100m T52 at Beijing Paralympic.The person, standing left from Ito-san, is YOSHI

Chubu Achievement Award

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:21:53 PST

Today, Chubu Sports Journalist Association announced that Ito-san received Chubu Sports Achievement Award (中部スポーツ賞 - Chubu Sports Journalists' Athlete of the Year (*)).This award is one of the longest-running award for sports atheletes in Japan.And Ito-san is the first Paralympic Athlete to receive this award.By receiving this award, we hope that more people will recognize the sports for the disabled in Japan.Ito-san commented in his blog.Today, the history will change a little. I am honored to be the first one to receive this award as an athlete for the disabled.I feel that more people start recognizing this sports in Japan.By using this opportunity, I would like to promote the sports as much as possible.Also thanks to everybody who has been supporting me.And I will keep trying my best so that I can keep being a role model for everyone.*NOTE: There is no official English title of this award.

The Ceremony with local supporters

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:37:02 PST

Live Japanese ink painting show by Suzuka's Japanaese ink artist Mr. Ito and local Artist Mr. Ohya On November 14th, seven board members of Ito Tomoya's Supporters, including Mayor of City of Suzuka, held the cerebration ceremony with 200 other supports for Ito-san, congraturating his Gold Medals and Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Award.The cerebration started with display of Beijing Paralympic medals, and Japanese ink painting, and gifts from other local artist.

Honorable Mention & Tea Ceremony

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 04:10:52 PDT

This morning, Ito-san received People's Honor Award by Mie Prefecture from Mie Prefecture Governor, Akihiko Noro.We are grateful and honored that Ito-san received this honorable mention.Also on October 21, Ito-san was invited by Imperial Family's Tea Ceremony to greet Japanese Emperor and Royal family members with other Paralympic athletes.

Switching to T53 Category

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:11:44 PDT

Ito-san just announced to switch his category to T53.After winning the races in Beijing, he has decided to fight his deseases and also challange this next step .Since his disease, multiple sclerosis, changes his condition every now and then, he had been required to take the tests every time before the race. And in the worst case, he wouldn't be able to compete the race.It is a big risk, especially for his body, to train for T53 category.However, he came to the conclusion to fight his desease rather than being under the pressure of not being able to compete.We, web site team and supporters, will support Ito-san's next challange as much as possible.Thank you

Nagaragawa Half Marathon

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:12:40 PDT

Yesterday, Ito-san ran half marathon at Nagaragawa Fureai Marathon at Kiso-sansen Park in Kaizu-city.Ito-san attended the marathon with Tanaka Teruyo, Beijing's 100m T52 Silver medalist.The Marathon began with the opening ceremony, recognizing Ito-san and Tanaka-san. Please click read more to see the rest of the pictures (PC site only)

City of Suzuka Award & Marathon on this Sunday

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 03:55:02 PDT

Last Tuesday, September 30, City of Suzuka hosted the ceremony to present The City of Suzuka Honorary Award for Athelete (Suzuka-shi Sport Eiyosho) to Ito-san. There were about 250 people, including members of Japanese Parliament, local council members, city officials, and members of local athletic clubs. During the ceremony, Ito-san said: Like my motto 'Win without impudence. Lose without regret',not only my success in Beijing, I would like to continue to contribute this community, and hope to leave another footprint in the future. Congraturations. This Sunday morning, Ito-san will compete half marathon at Nagara-gawa Fureai Marathon. This will be the first race for Ito-san after Beijing Paralympic. The race starts at 11am.

9/30 Award Presentation & 10/5 Half Marathon

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:33:12 PDT

Here is the schedule of Ito-san in a couple weeks.9/30 (Tue) 3pm~ : The City of Suzuka Honorary Award Ceremony.At 3pm on Tuesday, September 30, City of Suzuka will host the ceremony at its Civic Hall. They will present The City of Suzuka Honorary Award for Athelete to Ito-san. If you can stop by and celebrate with Ito-san. Please come-by.The ceremony will take place at the lobby on the first floor of City of Suzuka Civic Hall Main Building.10/5 (Sun) 11am~: the 13th Annual Nagara-gawa Fureai Marathon in Kaizu, Gifu.This will be the first race for Ito-san after Beijing Paralympic. He will compete half marathon at Nagara-gawa Fureai Half Marathon on Sunday October 5th. The race is scheduled to start at 11:15.On the day of the event, they will not only host the marathon races, but also various entertainment stage shows, refreshment stands. And they will also sell hand-made goods made by the people who works at the local workshops for the disabled. These events will be held between 10am to 2pm.The purpose of this event to help people to understand various programs for the disabled, and have fun. Please come by and cheer Ito-san up, but also enjoy all the entertainment there.The Marathon will take place around the Kiso-Sansen Park near Nagara-gawa Service Center in Kaizu-City, Gifu, Japan (木曽三川公園特設会場（長良川サービスセンター前）（海津市）)

Some news coverage scheduled next week

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 15:55:40 PDT

Ito-san safely came back to Japan.He'll spend a couple day in Tokyo to take care of some business (cerebrations), including appearance to live news shows.He's scheduled to appear Minomonta's Asa-zuba! on TBS network on Monday September 22nd (Japan Time) with 4 other Paralympic medalist. The program starts at 5:30am though 8:30am. We are not told the exact time of his appearance. This would be the first opportunity to catch Ito-san live. If you happened to be able to watch the show, please don't miss it. Also we have just launched mobile site.The address isito-tomoya.com/k/index_e.htmlOr you can use the QR code below (English site is the right one)

Message from Ito-san from Beijing after 800m Race

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 10:26:50 PDT

We received message from Ito-san in BeijingI felt all of your voice reached National Stadium in Beijing.Those voices pushed me to get these two gold medalsI hope to show you the medals soon.Again, thank you very much for all your support.Tomoya ItoHe's schedued to come back to Japan on the 19th after the closing ceremony.

Media Coverage of Ito-san

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:38:55 PDT

Here are a couple media coverage of Ito-san800m Race at Beijing Paralympic Yahoo! News AP Photoshttp://mdn.mainichi.jp/photospecials/graph/08paralympics/43.html (http://mdn.mainichi.jp/photospecials/graph/08paralympics/43.html) <Mainichi Daily News> Wheelchair tennis player Shingo Kunieda wins his first Paralympic goldhttp://mdn.mainichi.jp/features/olympic/news/20080916p2a00m0na005000c.html (http://mdn.mainichi.jp/features/olympic/news/20080916p2a00m0na005000c.html)

Men's 800m T52 Result - Beijing Paralympic

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 03:36:13 PDT

Just received news from Beijing of Men's 800m T52 FinalIto-san finished 1s, and won 2nd Gold Medal!His time was 1:53.42 Congraturations!We'll keep you posted.

Result of 800m T52 Round 1

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 11:29:13 PDT

We just received the result of Men's 800m (T52) Round 1 Heat 2 from BeijingIto-san finished 1st, and moving to final!His time was 1min 52sec31.It's World Record!Congratulations! The Final race will take place on Tuesday Sep, 16 at 10:31am. We'll keep you posted.

Message from Ito in Beijing

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 01:57:46 PDT

From Ito-san to everybody.Thanks to everyone's support, I was able to win and get this gold medalThis is my dream-come-true after 8 years.And I'm very proud of, and grateful to your support. Today, 800m race will begin.The result of this 800m would be the consequence of all what I've done in the past.I will do my best.Thank youIto Tomoya Tonight around 6:17pm (Beijing Time), he'll compete 800m (T52).We'll keep you posted on 800m race as well.

400m T52 GOLD MEDAL

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:27:27 PDT

Quick report from Beijing.Ito-san won GOLD MEDAL!His time was 57 sec 25. It's Paralympic Record. Congratulations!We'll keep you posted!

400m T52 Result - Beijing Paralympic

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:06:03 PDT

Quick report from Beijing, Ito-san competed Men's 400m - T52 round 1 heat 2, and finished first at 59 sec 2.He's moving to final.Congratulations! His time was at 2nd place among all atheletes in round 1.The Final will take place around 8:17pm in Beijing time tonight.