Reshaping perceptions of disability through parasports

As the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games heated up this summer, it created a valuable opportunity to focus on individuals with physical disabilities. We spoke with Associate Professor Wakaki Uchida from Kyushu University’s Faculty of Human-Environment Studies, an expert in sport and exercise psychology and individual psychology. She researches how disability is viewed in our society and explores ways to support individuals with acquired disabilities. We also spoke with Mitsuya Tanaka, a graduate student supervised by Professor Uchida and a member of Japan’s national para taekwondo team, who competed in both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Paralympics.

Could you please tell us about your research focus?

Uchida: My research focuses on sport and exercise psychology, particularly how psychological factors affect overall well-being among individuals with acquired disabilities, and explores how physical activity helps them adjust emotionally and psychologically. In addition, a significant part of my work has involved supporting para-athletes as a psychological support staff. I believe that while sports can improve mental health, advancing in sports also requires a healthy mindset and proper psychological support. This is especially crucial for individuals with acquired disability, including para-athletes who face unique challenges. Recently, my research has shifted to create a more inclusive society.

What inspired you to focus on sport and exercise psychology in parasports?

Uchida: When I was a high school student, I wanted to include a friend with a disability on a school trip with the rest of our group. We discussed and adjusted our trip plan, but our teacher, in the name of “protecting” my friend, did not let her join us. Although the teacher intended to help, as is often the case with people’s attitudes toward disabilities, that teacher did not listen to what my friend and we, as her friends, wanted and needed.
This experience stayed with me, and when I started studying sports science, it became a driving force behind my research. I began collaborating with sports centers and the Japan Paralympic Committee, focusing on understanding para-athletes and individuals with disabilities.

How do you approach your research in parasports?

Uchida: To learn about the personal experiences of para-athletes, I use qualitative methods and listen to their stories. I also sometimes try quantitative approaches such as the Implicit Association Test (IAT). The IAT is a tool that helps us reveal hidden attitudes people may have towards individuals with disabilities, even if they are not consciously aware of them. For example, participants may be asked to quickly categorize words or images associated with “disability” and “ability,” such as words like “strong” or “weak.” The speed of their responses can reveal unconscious biases—for instance, if someone is quicker to associate “weakness” with “disability,” it indicates an implicit bias.

Tanaka, can you share how your journey into parasports shaped your research focus?

Tanaka: Growing up playing soccer, I felt like any other player. But when I entered parasports, particularly taekwondo, my disability became a more central part of my identity. The classification systems and assessments in parasports made me reconsider how my disability influences my self-perception. 
Competing at the Paralympic level was a defining moment for me, as I began reflecting on how athletes with disabilities often face dual pressures: they are expected to be “inspirational” figures simply because of their impairments, but at the same time, they want to be recognized for their athletic skills. After competing in the Tokyo Paralympics, I joined Professor Uchida’s lab at Kyushu University to explore how para-athletes manage these external expectations while trying to assert their identities as athletes first and foremost.

How do you think the media's portrayal of para-athletes shapes public perceptions of disability, and what are the challenges of elite parasports?

Tanaka: The media’s portrayal of para-athletes significantly influences public opinion on the lives of people with disabilities. Sometimes, well-intentioned praise can unintentionally reinforce the idea that para-athletes are “lesser” because they had to “overcome” something. We must be cautious of this narrative. 
Social media, however, offers a powerful platform for raising awareness about the lives of para-athletes and people with disabilities. I usually post about my sports and life activities on social media, engage in outreach activities, and give presentations for various groups, such as students in schools in Japan. 
I often receive kind comments, especially when family members, such as mothers who have kids with disabilities, contact me to show appreciation and encourage me. These make me really happy.

Uchida: In recent years, alongside the positive significance of parasports, there has been growing discussion about the “Paralympic Paradox” (merits and drawbacks of elite parasports). Due to media portrayal, there's a disconnect between the public image of people with disabilities and that of para-athletes. Research and the establishment of psychological and social support strategies are urgently needed to help society better understand disability.

What do you think are the challenges people with disability face today, and how should we address them?

Uchida: We often hear about the divide between para-athletes and mainstream athletes when some sports psychologists provide them with psychological support. Many tend to find it difficult to relate to or understand para-athletes because of disability. To me, this is more of an excuse than a valid reason. In everyday society, we should practice interacting with people from different walks of life, and understanding people with disabilities should be no different. 
Individual psychology can benefit anyone involved in sports, regardless of their skill levels or abilities. I want more people to know about this field. To bridge the gap between academic research and public understanding, I've been exploring different approaches. Recently, I discovered an unexpected but powerful medium: Haikyu!!, the popular Japanese manga and anime about high school volleyball. The series provided a unique opportunity to introduce key psychological concepts, such as personal growth. This inspired me to write a book that uses Haikyu!! as a lens to share ideas on individual psychology with the general public, using examples from the series to illustrate the mental and emotional challenges that anyone is dealing with.
Ultimately, our mindset needs to change—not just toward para-athletes but all individuals with disabilities, who have diverse interests and capabilities beyond their physical challenges. We should emphasize the importance of seeing people for who they are and what they are capable of. Eventually, we can shift societal views toward greater inclusion.

What advice would you give to young researchers interested in parasports and psychology?

Uchida: It is essential to step outside of the lab and engage with practical work. Talking directly with individuals with disabilities, including para-athletes, and listening to their stories will give you a deeper understanding of the psychological and social barriers they face. While reading research papers and gathering data are important, these real-world experiences provide insights into the unique challenges individuals with disabilities encounter, making your research more impactful.

Written by Science Communicator Intern, Negar Khalili

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About Kyushu University  


Founded in 1911, Kyushu University  is one of Japan's leading research-oriented institutes of higher education, consistently ranking as one of the top ten Japanese universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the QS World Rankings. The university is one of the seven national universities in Japan, located in Fukuoka, on the island of Kyushu—the most southwestern of Japan’s four main islands with a population and land size slightly larger than Belgium. Kyushu U’s multiple campuses—home to around 19,000 students and 8000 faculty and staff—are located around Fukuoka City, a coastal metropolis that is frequently ranked among the world's most livable cities and historically known as Japan's gateway to Asia. Through its VISION 2030, Kyushu U will “drive social change with integrative knowledge.” By fusing the spectrum of knowledge, from the humanities and arts to engineering and medical sciences, Kyushu U will strengthen its research in the key areas of decarbonization, medicine and health, and environment and food, to tackle society’s most pressing issues.