Miki Hata
Japan
In 2014 at the age of 12, I had to give up volleyball due to a cancer that left me disabled. I turned to sitting volleyball by starting a team at my junior high school. I was asked to join the only Japanese national team, the Tokyo Planets Megumi Team, with hopes of competing in […]
In 2014 at the age of 12, I had to give up volleyball due to a cancer that left me disabled. I turned to sitting volleyball by starting a team at my junior high school. I was asked to join the only Japanese national team, the Tokyo Planets Megumi Team, with hopes of competing in the 2021 Japan Paralympics. Shortly before the Paralympics I was diagnosed with a brain tumor and unable to compete. Even though I couldn’t play, I volunteered to support the games.
Since then, I have dedicated my life to the sport by actively competing and promoting the sport in Japan and abroad. I joined in an international exchange where I and my team were able to help train the Australian national team and participate with them in a national competition. Even though we did not speak the same language, we were able to teach them how to play by communicating through gestures.
My happiness comes from teaching, encouraging and inspiring a wide range of ages, from young children to the elderly, that regardless of their disability, gender, or age, they can enjoy sports together.