A job well done for Team Toyota in Tokyo 2020

MANILA: As Tokyo 2020 drew to an end with the closing of the 16^th Paralympic Games last September 5, Toyota expressed its gratitude to have been associated with the Games as its Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner since 2015.

During the signing of the sponsorship deal in 2015, former International Paralympic Committee President Philip Craven stated, “Well, if those athletes can do all that, what about myself? Am I going to start my impossible as well?”

This closely aligns with the spirit of Toyota’s first global corporate initiative, “Start Your Impossible” (SYI), which promotes a more inclusive, sustainable, and mobile society where everyone can challenge their impossible.

Since 2016, Toyota has helped in fortifying the global impact of Paralympic sports by supporting the athletes, the training programs, the activities, and opportunities around the world.

Toyota Motor Asia Pacific also offered its warmest congratulations to the seven Team Toyota athletes from Asia who competed at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020.

Indonesian powerlifter Ni Nengah Widasih won a silver medal in the 41-kg Para Powerlifting event where she lifted a total of 98 kg. In a statement, she said, “Never give up, no one can do everything, but everyone can do something.”

Singaporean swimmer Toh Wei Soong was able to set two new national records for his country. In the 50m freestyle heats, he achieved 28.65 seconds and in the 50m butterfly, he achieved 29.90 seconds, which made him qualify for the finals.

Filipino swimmer Ernie Gawilan (in photo below) also made it to the men’s 400m freestyle finals, placing sixth with a time of 4:56.24.

Toyota also thanked the other Paralympians who “achieved their impossible” by overcoming the challenges in Tokyo 2020. The other Team Toyota Paralympians who competed in the Games are Amit Kumar Saroha from India for Club Throw – Para Athletics, Abdul Latif Romly from Malaysia for Long Jump – Para Athletics, and Sophie Soon from Singapore  and Anchaya Ketkaet from Thailand for Para Swimming.

In a statement, Toyota Motor Asia Pacific Chief Operating Officer Hao Tien said, “We thank every one of our Olympians and Paralympians from Team Toyota Asia who competed for their national teams in Tokyo 2020. They inspired and lifted our spirits   with passion, courage, and unwavering commitment to their sport. They are our ‘Dual Heroes.’ and we applaud and celebrate each of them for their unwavering spirit. They have been heroes in their sport, and we know they will continue to be heroes in their chosen social causes. We  are  privileged  that every  one  of  our Global  Team Toyota Athletes  from  Asia — India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam ‘Started their Impossible’ journey with us. They are part of our Toyota family, and will always be an inspiration to all of us.”

Toyota has worked with these athletes, who they call “Dual Heroes,” as they embark on their own “Hero Projects” in their communities. The athletes have collaborated with local organizations to pursue initiative for social development. These initiatives include literary to road safety programs, providing training facilities for sports, supporting the youth, empowering women, arts and culture, and promoting a more sustainable environment.

“Every Team Toyota athlete from Asia is an inspiring role model. They have dedicated themselves to achieving excellence in their sports and have set examples in advocating for change and transformation in their communities. Many have overcome their own ‘impossible’ challenges – whether socio-economic or physical -- in their journey to pursue excellence,” Toyota Motor Asia Pacific said in a statement.

Photos from Toyota

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