The governor acclaims Ueyonabaru, winner of two bronze medals in wheelchair track and field, as “a star for the senior generation.” (21se21)

 Hirokazu Ueyonabaru (50, an athlete sponsored by the SMBC Nikko Securities Club) earned a bronze medal in the T52 (long distance) class 400 and 1500 meter track and field events at the Tokyo Paralympics in Tokyo. He and Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki chatted online on 16 September.


Mr. Ueyonabaru stated, “Whether handicapped or not, if you keep your eyes on a goal without giving up, your dreams will be fulfilled.” After earning a silver medal in the marathon at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, a second prefectural merit award has been decided for Ueyonabaru. Governor Tamaki lauded his achievements, “Even after turning 50, you’ve maintained your condition and motivation and earned medals again after 13 years. You’re a star for the senior generation.”

 

Tomoya Ito, a T52 medal candidate, had his classification changed just before the competition. In an interview after earning his medal, Ueyonabaru expressed his thanks to Mr. Ito who had come for the competition, stating, “As I got this medal with the help of many, my thoughts run to my fellow athlete Mr. Ito and others, such as those at Okinawa City who favored me with space for practice. I can only say thank you.”


At Governor Tamaki’s wish, Ueyonabaru held up the medals showing both sides and said, “I’ll give it my all as long as my motivation holds out. I beg your continued support in motivating me.” The ceremony for the prefectural award presentation will be held at a later date.


Original Japanese article: Okinawa Times, published Friday 17 September 2021 at 07:26

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/97244d8c16ddbd06634795092aaa847b99d2bb34


Translator’s note:

Denny in the News: news about Okinawan Governor Denny Tamaki.

Denny Tamaki is the governor of Okinawa Prefecture in Japan. Although Okinawa is important as an international tourist destination and a key element in strategic US Military Forces, its governor receives very little coverage in the Japanese press and almost none in the English language media. 

  1. This blog hopes to  translate one news article a day on the governor.  It is unsponsored and unauthorized. The translator simply hopes to improve his skills and perhaps give the governor an English speaking audience. Any suggestion on improving the translation will be gratefully accepted. However, please leave political comments for another forum.

  2. Where they occur, words and phrases in Ryukyuan (the Okinawan language) are rendered in italics and translated in parentheses. Names  whose readings are uncertain are rendered as Name (=Kanji?) as in Nagayuki (=長行?). Any corrections in such instances would be of great help.

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