J-Arena S2018E04 - Paracanoe

Va'a is a new discipline for paracanoe set to feature for the first time at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. The over 7m long outrigger canoes are based on traditional Polynesian craft, and will be raced over a 200m sprint. Masaaki Suwa (32) is a Japanese pioneer of va'a. He has a very quick start due to his fast paddling rhythm and skill in keeping straight. Suwa is vying to represent Japan in 2020, and hopes his training can bear fruit in a race to decide Japan's Paracanoe World Championship team.