Paris, France – Japan’s teenage wheelchair tennis sensation, Tokito Oda, is set to make his Paralympic debut in Paris, a city with deep personal significance for the 18-year-old athlete. Named after the Arc de Triomphe, one of Paris’s most iconic landmarks, Oda has already won two of his four Grand Slam titles at the French Open, making Paris a lucky charm in his career.
With the Paralympic Games underway, Oda is determined to make the most of what he considers a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” The young athlete shared his thoughts on Instagram, posting a photo of himself making a wish in front of the Arc de Triomphe with the caption “Dreamer.” On September 1, Oda advanced to the third round of the men’s singles tournament, defeating Great Britain’s Ben Bartram in straight sets.
“Returning to Roland Garros is very special for me,” Oda said. “In the last two years, I didn’t lose a match at the French Open, and I want to do it again.”
Oda’s journey to this point has been anything but easy. Diagnosed with bone cancer at the age of nine, he underwent surgery and treatment that led him to use a wheelchair. While in the hospital, a video of Japanese wheelchair tennis legend Shingo Kunieda playing in the London 2012 Paralympic Games inspired him to take up the sport.
“I used to play soccer when I was young, and after I started using a wheelchair, I found a new dream in Para sports,” Oda recalled. “Watching Shingo Kunieda, who is from the same country as me, play wheelchair tennis was a turning point in my life.”
Since then, Oda has rapidly climbed the ranks of wheelchair tennis. At 14, he became the youngest-ever boys’ world No. 1 in the junior wheelchair tennis rankings. Three years later, he won his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros and became the youngest athlete to achieve the world No. 1 ranking in wheelchair tennis singles. With three additional Grand Slam titles under his belt, Oda is now a household name in Japan.
Despite his success, Oda remains focused on his ultimate goal: to inspire the next generation of wheelchair tennis players. He recently helped organize a junior wheelchair tennis draw at an international tournament in his hometown, hoping to give kids the same opportunity to discover and excel in the sport.
“For the kids who have started playing wheelchair tennis, I want to share my experiences on the international stage,” Oda said. “And for those who haven’t started, I want to open the door for them to become interested.”
As he prepares to compete in Paris, Oda is driven not only by his desire to win but also by his desire to make a lasting impact on others.
“The Paralympic Games are my biggest chance to change my life and the lives of those watching my matches,“ Oda said. “I want to show my tennis to as many people as possible.”