December 15, 2017
On December 5, 2017, Bryan Masaki Ikeda (2nd-year student, Faculty of Policy Management) received the MEXT Minister's Commendation for Deaflympics prize winners at Happo-en.
In 2016, Mr. Ikeda won a silver medal in the 4x400m relay at the 3rd World Deaf Athletics Championships with a new Japanese deaf record of 3:17.32. He also achieved outstanding results at the 23rd Summer Deaflympics Samsun 2017, held in Turkey this July, including placing 5th in the 4x400m relay. The Deaflympics is an international sporting festival with a long tradition, even older than the Paralympics.
He received this award in recognition of these activities and achievements. On the same day, he also had an audience with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress at the Imperial Palace.
Further success is expected from him at the World Deaf Indoor Athletics Championships to be held in Estonia in 2019.
Comment from Bryan Masaki Ikeda
At the 23rd Summer Deaflympics in Samsun, as a representative of Japan, I unfortunately could not achieve my goal of winning a gold medal, which would have surpassed last year's silver medal at the World Championships. However, being able to stand on the finals stage and compete against the world's top countries was an incredibly valuable experience for me.
I was selected for the MEXT Minister's Commendation in recognition of my achievements to date. Furthermore, I had an audience with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress at the Imperial Palace and received words of encouragement from His Majesty the Emperor. It still doesn't quite feel real that I have received such a significant award. I believe I was given this opportunity thanks to everyone's support. I ask for your continued support.