Photo by © REUTERS via
The Japan Times
Vocabulary:
- consecutive /kuhn-SEK-yuh-tiv/
[adjective] following one after another without an interruption
He won seven consecutive wins after becoming a professional athlete.
- rate /reyt/
[verb] to judge the value or character of someone or something
He was rated by his managers through his skills and perseverance.
- labor /LEY-ber/
[noun] practical work, esp. work that involves physical effort
He can do different types of physical labor without complaining.
- unfold /uhn-FOHLD/
[verb] (of a situation or story) to develop or become clear
His secrets will unfold the moment he makes his confession.
- appreciation /uh-pree-shee-EY-shuhn/
[noun] the act of showing that you are grateful for something that person has done
The managers decided to show their appreciation in regards to his hard work by promoting him.
Misato Michishita, a 42-year-old visually impaired runner from Yamaguchi Prefecture, intends to score a gold medal in the 2020 Paralympic games after qualifying for the Summer Tokyo Games this 2020 and taking three consecutive wins in the World Para Athletics Championships. She runs around 700 kilometers a month, approximately similar to a person training for the ekiden, a long-distance road relay race. Michisita won a silver medal at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro and she was rated No. 1 around the globe over the last three years in its category. Her labor paid off in 2017 after setting a new T12 world record at the Hofu Yomiuri Marathon. Competitors with visual weakness are positioned depending on the severity of their inability, with T11 being the highest and T13 being the lowest.
In 2016, she met Megumi Kawaguchi, a 23-year-old attendee of the women’s athletic club of an insurance company, who became the “eyes” of Michishita at work and during training sessions. Michita said, “Of course I’m aiming for a gold medal. If the race unfolds as I picture it, when I reach the finish line, it will be the best having those companions that have supported me up to now waiting with a smile.” Kawaguchi, together with 10 other members of the club, formed “Team Michishita,” a set of followers who help her in everything from routine practice to global competitions. Michishita said that she intends to express her appreciation by cutting the tape at the finish line in Tokyo’s new National Stadium.
True or False:
- Misato Michishita is a 42-year-old visually challenged runner from Tokyo, Japan.
- Michishita is looking forward to get the gold medal in the Paralympics after taking five winning streaks in the World Paralympics Championship.
- Michishita got the silver medal at the Paralympics in Rio De Janeiro and she was ranked No. 1 in the world in her category for three years.
- Depending on the nature of their inability, contestants with visual weakness are placed from T11 to T13.
- Michishita will show her appreciation to her supporters by winning the competition in Osaka’s new National Stadium.
Discussion Questions:
- What can you say about Michishita’s determination to win the gold medal in the 2020 Paralympic games? Kindly elaborate.
- Do you think more people will support Michishita in her endeavor to finish first in the upcoming Paralympics games? Why or why not?
- What do you think are the best hobbies or sports for people with disabilities? Please give at least two examples and explain why.
- What do you think are the best ways to support those people who have disabilities?
- Do you think a person with disabilities should receive better benefits from the government? Why or why not?
Express Your Opinion:
- “Attacking people with disabilities is the lowest display of power I can think of.” – Morgan Freeman
- “My advice to other disabled people would be, concentrate on things your disability doesn’t prevent you doing well, and don’t regret the things it interferes with. Don’t be disabled in spirit as well as physically.” – Stephen Hawking
- “I’m officially disabled, but I’m truly enabled because of my lack of limbs. My unique challenges have opened up unique opportunities to reach so many in need.” – Nick Vujicic
[adjective] following one after another without an interruption
He won seven consecutive wins after becoming a professional athlete.
[verb] to judge the value or character of someone or something
He was rated by his managers through his skills and perseverance.
[noun] practical work, esp. work that involves physical effort
He can do different types of physical labor without complaining.
[verb] (of a situation or story) to develop or become clear
His secrets will unfold the moment he makes his confession.
[noun] the act of showing that you are grateful for something that person has done
The managers decided to show their appreciation in regards to his hard work by promoting him.
In 2016, she met Megumi Kawaguchi, a 23-year-old attendee of the women’s athletic club of an insurance company, who became the “eyes” of Michishita at work and during training sessions. Michita said, “Of course I’m aiming for a gold medal. If the race unfolds as I picture it, when I reach the finish line, it will be the best having those companions that have supported me up to now waiting with a smile.” Kawaguchi, together with 10 other members of the club, formed “Team Michishita,” a set of followers who help her in everything from routine practice to global competitions. Michishita said that she intends to express her appreciation by cutting the tape at the finish line in Tokyo’s new National Stadium.