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Hidefumi Wakayama

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hidefumi Wakayama
Date of birth (1985-01-03) January 3, 1985 (age 39)
Place of birthNumazu, Shizuoka, Japan
Occupation(s)Wheelchair rugby player
Rugby union career
Position(s) -
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
Japan
Medal record
Representing  Japan
Paralympic Games
Wheelchair rugby
Gold medal – first place 2024 Paris Wheelchair Rugby
Bronze medal – third place 2016 Rio de Janeiro Wheelchair Rugby
Bronze medal – third place 2020 Tokyo Wheelchair Rugby
World Games
Silver medal – second place 2022 Birmingham Wheelchair Rugby

Hidefumi Wakayama (乗松 聖矢, Wakayama Hidefumi, born January 3, 1985) is a Japanese wheelchair rugby player who currently plays for Shizuoka Bank/CENTERPOLE and the Japanese national team.

Background and career

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At the age of 19, Wakayama injured his spine in a swimming pool accident and began playing wheelchair rugby at a rehabilitation facility.[1] He was later selected to represent Japan in the London and Rio Paralympics, and contributed to Japan's first medal win at the latter.

In 2021, Wakayama was selected as a recommended player for the Japanese national team for the 2020 Summer Paralympics and won a bronze medal.[2][3] In 2024, he was again selected as a recommended athlete for the Japanese national team for the 2024 Summer Paralympics, with whom he won a gold medal.[4][5]

References

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  1. ^ "車いすラグビー 若山 英史" (in Japanese). NHK. 25 June 2021.
  2. ^ "東京2020パラリンピック競技大会日本代表推薦選手について JWRF 一般社団法人 日本車いすラグビー連盟" (in Japanese). 日本車いすラグビー連盟. 21 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  3. ^ "【東京パラリンピック】「日本ラグビー」で2大会連続銅メダル! 池主将のリーダーシップと仲間たち" (in Japanese). ラグビー共和国. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  4. ^ "Japan beats U.S. to clinch first Paralympics wheelchair rugby gold". Japan Today. 3 September 2024.
  5. ^ Close, David (2 September 2024). "Japan defeats USA to win wheelchair rugby gold at Paris Paralympics". CNN.