Empowering Lives Through Sports: Sakki Takamuro at SPORTS of HEART 2025

From September 26 to 28, 2025, Osaka will be the vibrant host of the "SPORTS of HEART 2025" event, being held at the EXPO Arena within the Japan World Expo. This remarkable initiative is a collaboration between athletes, musicians, and cultural figures, aiming to create a normalized society that transcends disabilities, nationalities, races, and genders.

One of the key highlights of this event will be the interactive wheelchair tennis booth, led by the inspiring player Sakki Takamuro. Takamuro, who has faced her own challenges, found her passion for wheelchair tennis through a past SPORTS of HEART event during her high school years. Now ranked 14th in the world and representing Japan in the upcoming Paris 2024 Paralympics, she embodies the essence of perseverance and empowerment.

At the wheelchair tennis booth, visitors will have the unique opportunity to experience being in a competition wheelchair and aim for targets in a fun and engaging setup called “Aim for the Target: Wheelchair Tennis Experience.” This initiative not only showcases the excitement of wheelchair tennis through rapid rallies and strategic gameplay, but also emphasizes the importance of wheelchair handling skills which is vital for every player. It’s a rare chance for both disabled and able-bodied individuals to enjoy and learn together, promoting an inclusive spirit.

Sakki expresses her enthusiasm for the event, reflecting on how SPORTS of HEART changed her life: "I encountered wheelchair tennis through one of the SPORTS of HEART events during my senior year in high school. It opened up a new world for me and gave me goals to aspire to. Without that experience, I wonder if I would be where I am today. I hope to share the appeal of wheelchair tennis with everyone at the event! Please come visit our booth!"

The company behind this initiative, Start Line Co., Ltd., based in Mitaka, Tokyo, is dedicated to supporting employment for individuals with disabilities. Founded in 2009 with a mission to create a society where everyone can live authentically, the company employs specialized support based on applied behavior analysis (ABA) and contextual behavioral science (CBS). Start Line focuses on providing comprehensive solutions for the employment of individuals with disabilities, offering a range of services from recruitment to workplace integration through their inclusive office model, INCLU.

Sakki Takamuro’s participation in the SPORTS of HEART 2025 event symbolizes not only her personal triumph but also the broader goal of fostering a society where diverse abilities are celebrated, and opportunities are made available for all. Join us in Osaka to witness the power of sport in bringing hearts and minds together, breaking barriers, and inspiring potential!

For more information about the event and the impactful work of Start Line, mark your calendars for this unforgettable occasion, as we strive toward a Japan where everyone can live together in harmony, sharing joy through sports and cultural activities.