Photo by © REUTERS via
The Japan Times
Pre-reading questions:
- Do you like watching Paralympics? Why or why not?
- What is your favorite sport? Why?
Vocabulary:
- victory /VIK-tuh-ree/
[noun] the act or an example of winning a competition
The victory in Gettysburg proved to be the turning point of the civil war.
- achieve /uh-CHEEV/
[verb] to succeed in finishing something or reaching an aim
He is always making sure to achieve his goals in the future.
- league /leeg/
[noun] a group of teams or players in a sport who take part in competitions against each other
He is one of the top players in the baseball league.
- athletic /ath-LET-ik/
[adjective] of or relating to sports
He joined the athletic club at work because he likes to play basketball.
- companion /kuhm-PAN-yuhn/
[noun] someone or something you spend a lot of time with or travel with, or a friend who lives with you
He runs with his dog companion whenever he gets the chance.
Misato Michishita, a 42-year-old visually impaired runner from Yamaguchi Prefecture, wants to win the gold medal in the 2020 Paralympic games after her victory in the Summer Tokyo games and achieving three consecutive wins in the World Para Athletics Championship. Michishita got a silver medal at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro and was placed No.1 in its league over the past three years. Michishita’s hard work resulted in breaking a new T12 world record last 2017. Participants with disabilities are categorized on the status of their blindness, with T11 considered the least severe and T13 as the most.
A few years ago, she met Megumi Kawaguchi, a 23-year-old member of the woman’s athletic club of a savings company, who assisted Michishita in her training sessions and work. Michishita 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.” Kamaguchi, together with 10 of her teammates, created “Team Michishita” a group of individuals that help Michishita in her daily training for the preparation of international running contests. Michishita wants to show her gratitude by stepping in first in the finish line at the Tokyo new National Stadium.
Comprehension Questions:
- Who is Misato Michisita?
- How many times did she win the World Para Athletics Championship?
- What is Michishita’s current rank in the world league?
- Who is Megumi Kawaguchi and what did she do to help Michishita?
- What is Michisita’s plan to do in Tokyo National Stadium?
Discussion Questions:
- In your own opinion, how does Misato Michishita achieve her goals despite her conditions?
- Do you think Michishita is a symbol of hope and determination? Why or why not?
- Do you think a person’s disabilities should not stop him/her from achieving his/her goals? If yes, tell me more. If no, why not?
- How do you show your support to persons with disabilities?
- What is the most difficult sport for you? Please explain your answer.
[noun] the act or an example of winning a competition
The victory in Gettysburg proved to be the turning point of the civil war.
[verb] to succeed in finishing something or reaching an aim
He is always making sure to achieve his goals in the future.
[noun] a group of teams or players in a sport who take part in competitions against each other
He is one of the top players in the baseball league.
[adjective] of or relating to sports
He joined the athletic club at work because he likes to play basketball.
[noun] someone or something you spend a lot of time with or travel with, or a friend who lives with you
He runs with his dog companion whenever he gets the chance.
A few years ago, she met Megumi Kawaguchi, a 23-year-old member of the woman’s athletic club of a savings company, who assisted Michishita in her training sessions and work. Michishita 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.” Kamaguchi, together with 10 of her teammates, created “Team Michishita” a group of individuals that help Michishita in her daily training for the preparation of international running contests. Michishita wants to show her gratitude by stepping in first in the finish line at the Tokyo new National Stadium.