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  • Women's Goalball
  • London Paralympics Gold Medalist

Akiko Adachi

PROFILE

Akiko Adachi

Affiliation: Leifras Co., Ltd.
Date of Birth: September 10, 1983
Hometown: Fukuoka, Japan

At age 14, she developed macular degeneration in her right eye.
At age 20, symptoms also appeared in the left eye, leading to central vision loss and visual impairment.
In 2006, she joined the National Fukuoka Center for the Visually Impaired, where she discovered goalball.
The following year, she competed in the World Championships in Brazil, and in 2008, she participated in the Beijing Paralympics.
In 2012, she was selected as a member of Japan's national team for the London Paralympics, where she won a long-awaited gold medal
(The historic achievement marked Japan's first-ever gold medal in a team sport at the Paralympics).
In 2016, she competed in the Rio Paralympics, where she finished in 5th place.
Despite leaving the national team in 2016, she returned in 2019 as a designated strengthening player and retired from the role in 2021.
Currently, she is a player and coach at the Saitama Goalball Club and has expanded her activities beyond competing through goalball.
Beyond her athletic career, she participated in the Women Leaders & Coaches Academy in 2015,
began studying at Juntendo University's Graduate School of Health and Sports Science in 2018, and completed the master's program in 2020.
Since June 2021, she has served as a board member of the Japan Intellectual Disabilities Cheerleading Association.

Career Highlights

2007 3rd Place at the IBSA World Championships
2008 7th Place at the Beijing Paralympics
2010 1st Place at the IBSA Goalball Asia Championships
6th Place at the IBSA Goalball World Championships
2nd Place at the Guangzhou Asian Para Games
2012 1st Place at the London Paralympics
2013 2nd Place at the IBSA Goalball Asia-Pacific Championships
2014 1st Place at the APC Goalball Asia Cup
4th Place at the IBSA Goalball World Championships
3rd Place at the Incheon Asian Para Games
2015 5th Place at the IBSA World Championships
1st Place at the IBSA Goalball Asia-Pacific Championships
2016 5th Place at the Rio de Janeiro Paralympics

Public Speaking Activities

Theme: "Pursuing Your Dreams"

Losing her vision to illness shattered her dream of becoming a pianist, leaving her feeling hopeless and often staying at home.
However, a firm push from her mother motivated her to become independent.
She discovered goalball at the Fukuoka Center for the Visually Impaired and started dedicating herself to the sport.
Despite building experience through international competitions, she was unable to yield significant results at the Beijing Olympics.
After rigorous training, she won a gold medal at the London Paralympics.

Message:
  1. 1Focus on your strengths, not your limitations,
    and let those possibilities guide your dreams.
  2. 2Speak your dreams, take consistent steps forward,
    and with perseverance, they will come true.
  • Goalball can be experienced in a simplified format
    without professional equipment.
  • Online lectures are also available.
Inquiries about athlete lectures
or appearances

INTERVIEW

What led you to join Leifras, and what do you do in your current role?

I was introduced by a Leifras team member, and the thought of creating a school for adaptive sports after my athletic career really inspired me.
My current role mainly involves hosting experience-based goalball activities and delivering lectures.

What does goalball mean to you?

Goalball brought light back into my life when I lost my vision and hope.
Although there have been highs and lows, I'm truly grateful to have discovered goalball.

What is a phrase that's important to you and why?

"Just give it a try!"
There have been many times that things seemed daunting, but instead of giving up without trying, I've chosen to take on various challenges.
I don't always succeed, but I've never regretted giving it a shot.
Going forward, I want to keep challenging myself in different ways.

What is a memorable experience you've had during your past competitions?

The London Paralympics really left a strong impression.
Because it was when we achieved the result our team had envisioned.
Looking back, I think we were the most prepared for that event.

What does representing Japan on the national team mean to you?

The support and encouragement we received really gave us power.
We felt that achieving results was a way to give back to everyone and that our success would lead to sharing goalball with a wider audience and help grow its community.

What is your source of motivation?

The many connections I've made through goalball have been a source of motivation for me. I think the joy and love I feel for the sport is what keeps me going.

What is your biggest goal at the moment?

I want to start a school for goalball!

Could you share a final message?

I'm grateful for all the support and encouragement that has allowed me to keep going.
Moving forward, I want to be a source of support and inspiration for the next generation of blind athletes.