Tomoya Ito Explained

(born 16 August 1963) is a professional Japanese wheelchair Paralympic athlete from Suzuka, Mie, Japan, and a former entrepreneur.^[1]

Biography

• 1998 During a business trip, he fell down and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. During his first treatment, he placed the order for a racing wheelchair by mistake. This mistake triggered him to start competing.
• 2002 He founded a non-profit organization, "Gold Athlete" to support athletes of disabled sports.
• 2004 Attended the 2004 Summer Paralympics, in Athens
• 2005 Became a professional athlete. He was enlisted to the Hall of Fame at The Museum of Marathon in Greece. He was the first Paralympic athlete to be enlisted.
• 2008 won two gold medals at 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing. He also marked the world record at Men's T52 800m round 1.^[2]

Biography References

• News: Kondo . Mikio . Shisso 'Ikiru Jikkan', Rikujo Danshi 400m Shinkiroku 'Kin' no Ito Tomoya . Yomiuri Shimbun . 2008-09-13.
• Book: Ito , Tomoya . Ichibyo demo . Ise Shimbun Sha . 978-4-900457-91-1 . 2005-01-27.
• Mie TV "Tottemo Waku-doki" on 6, October, 2008
• Cable Net Suzuka "Ito Tomoya Beijing Paralympic Special Program" in Oct 2008

Records

• 400m T52 57.25 Japan National Record
• 800m T52 1:52.31 World Record
• Marathon T52 1:52:36

As of December 2008^{[2] [3]}

External links

• Tomoya Ito Official Web Site

Notes and References

1. Ito Tomoya 'Ichibyo demo' Ise Shimbun Sha January 27, 2005
2. http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRMP/ENG/BIO/Athlete/7/1205057.shtml "Athlete Biography - Ito Tomoya"
3. http://www.ito-tomoya.com/pc/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=2&Itemid=2 "Ito Tomoya Profile"