Hidefumi Wakayama Explained

Hidefumi Wakayama
Birth Date:	January 3, 1985
Birth Place:	Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan
Occupation:	Wheelchair rugby player
Ru Position:	-

is a Japanese wheelchair rugby player who currently plays for Shizuoka Bank/CENTERPOLE and the Japanese national team.

Background and career

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]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: 車いすラグビー 若山 英史. NHK. June 25, 2021. ja.
2. Web site: 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. 日本車いすラグビー連盟. June 21, 2021. June 25, 2021. ja.
3. Web site: 【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. ラグビー共和国. August 30, 2021. August 30, 2021. ja.
4. Web site: Japan beats U.S. to clinch first Paralympics wheelchair rugby gold. Japan Today. September 3, 2024.
5. Web site: Japan defeats USA to win wheelchair rugby gold at Paris Paralympics. David. Close. CNN. 2 September 2024.