Last Updated: 2023.03.03
UNIQLO Global Brand Ambassador Shingo Kunieda to Receive People's Honor Award from Japanese Government - "I would like to share this joy with everyone who has supported me."
UNIQLO CO., LTD.
to Japanese page
UNIQLO Global Brand Ambassador and wheelchair tennis champion Shingo Kunieda is to be awarded the People's Honor Award by the Japanese Government. This prestigious award is presented by the Prime Minister to people who are held in high esteem in Japan, and whose distinguished achievements have brought the light of hope to society.
Since Shingo Kunieda became its global brand ambassador in 2009, UNIQLO has been supporting the wheelchair tennis champion for 14 years. Over the course of the partnership, UNIQLO and Mr. Kunieda have also worked together on a wide range of social support initiatives, including recovery support following the Great East Japan Earthquake, UNIQLO's Next Generation Development Program to nurture the world's young people, and the Spo-GOMI competitive garbage-collection sport.
Mr. Kunieda's activities on and off the court have been an inspiration to people around the world, providing a message of courage to believe in oneself and move forward no matter how difficult the situation. As stated at his retirement announcement event on February 7, 2023, going forward Fast Retailing will continue to work with Mr. Kunieda on projects that make the world a better place.
Comment from Shingo Kunieda "It was an incredible privilege to receive news that I will receive the People's Honor Award, and I would like to share this joy with everyone who has supported me as a wheelchair tennis athlete. Going forward, I hope to make use of the experience I gained through wheelchair tennis to contribute to the growth of wheelchair tennis and to sport as a whole. Thank you for your continued support."
Comment from Tadashi Yanai, Chairman, President and CEO, Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. "I would like to sincerely congratulate Shingo Kunieda on the announcement that he will receive the People's Honor Award. Mr. Kunieda's achievements as an athlete have moved people around the world and provided them courage. I am one of those people, and have a deep respect for him. Since his retirement announcement last month, Mr. Kunieda has begun a new chapter in his life. I hope for his continued success, and as a company we will continue to work with him on activities and programs that make the world a better place."
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About Shingo Kunieda
Born February 21, 1984, in Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan.
Shingo Kunieda started playing wheelchair tennis at age 11. Competing in five consecutive Paralympic Games, from Athens in 2004 to Tokyo in 2021, Kunieda has won four Paralympic gold medals: three in singles and one in doubles. Kunieda has also won 50 Grand Slam titles: 28 in singles and 22 in doubles. He has ranked No. 1 in year-end global player rankings a record 10 times.
Shingo Kunieda's official website: https://shingokunieda.com/
