Daniel Yoshizawa is determined to seize his chance and make a lasting impact at Paris 2024 by winning the first-ever medal in men’s sitting volleyball for Brazil, which will be competing for the fifth consecutive time at the Paralympics.
The Brazilian team narrowly missed reaching the podium twice in the last two editions, including the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Reflecting on Tokyo 2020, Yoshizawa acknowledges his limited playing time but remains resolute in making a greater impact in Paris. “In Tokyo, I did not have much opportunity to play, as I only entered during game rotations. I managed to help a little, but our team could not present the good volleyball we had been playing. It was very sad because we knew we had the potential to be medallists. We lost a great opportunity,” he admitted.
Now a key player on the team, Yoshizawa is committed to seizing every chance to help Brazil reach the Paralympic podium. “I hope now in Paris, as a starter, I can help the team more. We know the difficulty our games in these Paralympics will bring, but we have the potential to reach the Paralympic podium. We will not miss the chance.”
When he was 21, Yoshizawa faced a profound challenge with meningococcal meningitis, which could have ended his sporting dreams. Instead, it sparked a journey of resilience, leading to success in sitting volleyball.
Yoshizawa’s path to becoming a top athlete in sitting volleyball began with his introduction to the sport at SESI-SP. Initially drawn to swimming, he discovered sitting volleyball after meeting his mentor, Professor Ronaldo Oliveira, the mastermind behind the development of sitting volleyball in Brazil.
“At first, I sought swimming in the city but did not find it. I ended up going to SESI-SP in my city, Suzano, to inquire about swimming, and it was there that I met Professor Ronaldo Oliveira. He spoke to me about the sport, but I was determined to be a swimmer,” Yoshizawa chuckled, recalling his initial resistance. “After some time, I returned to SESI-SP and started my sitting volleyball career. In September 2009, I began training with the SESI-SP team, where I am still a part today.”
Despite the challenges, Yoshizawa was determined to excel. “At first, training was very difficult, especially in terms of movement. It took me a while to understand the intricacies of the sport,” he explained. He immersed himself in learning the game, watching international matches on YouTube and absorbing techniques from top teams like Iran, Bosnia, Egypt, and Germany. “It helped me greatly in my growth,” he stated.
As the team’s setter, Yoshizawa plays a crucial role, influencing the team’s dynamic. “My role allows me to sense each athlete’s moment, whether good or bad,” he explained. This understanding enables him to support his teammates effectively, fostering motivation and camaraderie. “Everyone on our team motivates each other from start to finish.”
Advocating for greater visibility of Para sports is a cause close to Yoshizawa’s heart. “Para sports still needs more space and visibility. Unfortunately, we are only remembered during Paralympic years, and outside of that, we have almost no media for general sports promotion. It is important to remember that we are not only training in the Paralympic year but throughout the three years leading up to the Games,” he asserted.
Yoshizawa believes that broadcasting major competitions throughout the Paralympic cycle would elevate the sports’ profile and attract new participants. “This would gain us more media space, and the sports would gain greater prominence, thus attracting more new practitioners who may not even know about the existence of Para sports.”
