The 8th Special Olympics Nippon National Winter Games 2024, held across Nagano and Hokkaido, showcased athletes in various sports programs, marking the event's unique spread over these locations.

This prestigious competition not only provided a platform for athletes to demonstrate the fruits of their relentless training but also acted as a crucial selection phase for the Japanese team, setting their sights on the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy. The event saw enthusiastic participation from approximately 474 athletes across three tournaments, with a remarkable support system of 1,429 volunteers ensuring the smooth execution of the games.

The Big Hat in Nagano was the proud host on February 24th and 25th, witnessing the collective efforts of 39 volunteers from Toyota in managing the tournament. Their involvement was complemented by the spirited cheers from other Toyota employees, alongside the employees of Nagano Toyota and their families, all coming together in support of the athletes.

A highlight of the event was the figure skating competition's finale, where SON Dream supporter Takahiko Kozuka and Narumi Takahashi, a 2014 Sochi Olympics representative for Japan, graced the ice in a special Unified Sports® figure skating exhibition. This performance was in collaboration with SON athletes.

To catch a glimpse of Takahiko Kozuka's dedication and preparation for his performance, we invite you to watch this video.

For a complete experience of the Figure Skating Unified Sports^® Exhibition, click here to view the full video.

For further details and insights into the 8th Special Olympics Nippon National Winter Games 2024, please visit here (Special Olympics Nippon official website)