Japan’s Yui Kamiji follows Olympian Naomi Osaka as one of three athletes selected to light the Paralympic Cauldron

Japan’s Yui Kamiji, the women’s singles bronze medallist at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Tennis Event and current world No. 2, took centre stage at the Tokyo 2020 Opening Ceremony as she became the first wheelchair tennis player in history to light the Paralympic Cauldron that heralds the start of the Paralympic Games.

The 27-year-old eight-time Grand Slam singles champion was one of three Japanese athletes to complete the Paralympic torch relay, emulating the central role fulfilled by their countrywoman Naomi Osaka at last month’s Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, also a first for a tennis player.

She was joined in marking the iconic moment by boccia player Shunsuke Uchida and para-powerlifter Karin Morisaki, smiling widely as they waved to the assembled Paralympians before all three lit the cauldron, the same centrepiece used for the Olympics.

Kamiji’s starring role followed the Parade of Nations, which for the first time featured two flagbearers – one male, one female – representing the majority of nations at the Games.

Men’s world No. 1 Shingo Kunieda, a three-time Paralympic gold medallist and record 45-time Grand Slam champion, was one of four Japanese Tokyo 2020 Paralympians chosen  to deliver the Paralympic Oath on behalf of the athletes, joining swimmer Yumiko Taniguchi, goalball player Rie Urata and wheelchair fencer Nobuyuki Azuma.

“We at Tokyo 2020 will do everything in our power to make these Paralympic Games a celebration of all that para-athletes have achieved and an inspiration for true social change,” Seiko Hashimoto, Japan’s Olympic and Paralympic minister, said during her welcome speech, before handing over to International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons, who told the athletes: “You are the best of humanity and the only ones who can decide who and what you are.”

Three wheelchair tennis players were chosen to serve as flagbearers: four-time Paralympic medallist Stephane Houdet of France, the London 2012 men’s singles silver medallist and men’s doubles gold medallist at the Beijing 2008 and Rio 2016 Paralympics, Stefan Olsson of Sweden, men’s doubles gold medallist at the London 2012 Paralympics and Kgothatso Montjane, who became the first black woman from South Africa to reach a Grand Slam singles final last month at Wimbledon.

Among the other athletes chosen as flag-bearers was Australia’s Daniela di Toro, the Athens 2004 women’s singles bronze medallist and women’s doubles silver medallist in Sydney in 2000, who will represent Australia in table tennis in Tokyo.

The eighth Paralympic Tennis Event begins on Friday 27 August and will conclude with the fourth day of medal matches on Saturday 4 September.

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