Athletic Pursuits and Social Transformation: Keita Sato's Ambitions [Athlete tales]
Keita Sato: A Para Athlete and Toyota Employee Aiming for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics
Keita Sato, a 27-year-old Para athlete and employee at Toyota Motor Corp.'s Production Control Division, arrives at the Toyota City headquarters every morning at 7:45 in a blue Prius. His journey is not just a commute; it's a testament to his determination and resilience.
Sato was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a type of bone and soft tissue cancer, in high school. In the face of adversity, he opted for amputation to save his leg from being removed due to reduced bone strength, making vigorous exercise difficult. This decision marked the beginning of a new chapter in Sato's life.
Inspired by Atsushi Yamamoto, the first Japanese Paralympic medalist with a prosthetic leg, Sato found the principle of inclusion abroad to be inspiring. He set a Japanese record for the individual 200m running event as a third-year high school student, and his passion for sports continued to grow.
Before becoming a Para athlete, Sato was active as a professional baseball player. However, his life took a different turn when he started Para athletics while undergoing rehabilitation after entering high school. He now uses a sports blade for running practice and drives his car with his prosthetic leg, pressing the accelerator with his right prosthetic leg and braking with his left.
Sato joined Toyota in 2017, and he pays particular attention to the values of "challenge", "modesty and appreciation", and "genchi genbutsu" at Toyota. In his downtime, he gives lectures and interviews, sharing his inspiring story with others.
Sato lives alone and cooks for himself sometimes. His meals are usually broken into several throughout the day, and the main dish of his lunch was fish on this particular September day.
Sato is one of Japan's top Para athletes. He has competed in the Summer Paralympic Games in London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016, winning a bronze medal and setting a new record for Japan in the 4 x 100m relay. His current goal is to run 100m in 10 seconds in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Toyota, a Worldwide Partner for the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee, supports Sato in his pursuit of excellence. His story is a testament to the power of determination, resilience, and the spirit of inclusion.
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