There are millions of coaches around the world, some of them working on a voluntary basis and all of them having a big impact on our lives and societies. As part of European Week of Sport 2021, ‘Global Coaches Day’ has been marked for Saturday, 25 September and World Triathlon are profiling various coaches and acknowledging all coaches, around the world, for their incredible and ongoing contribution to Triathlon and Para Triathlon.

Coach Profile: Masamitsu Tomikawa
Country: Japan
Masamitsu Tomikawa was an elite athlete in Japan, who has progressed to being Japan Triathlon Union’s (JTU) High Performance Para Triathlon Coach.
Credentials:
Japanese Para-Sports Association (JPSA) Triathlon Coach III
Japan Sport Association (JSPO) Triathlon Coach I

When did Masamitsu Tomikawa become a World Triathlon coach?
In 2012, I was appointed as the Leader of JTU Para Triathlon High Performance Team, and began my career as a Para Triathlon coach.

What motivates Masamitsu Tomikawa as a coach?
I was aiming for the Olympic Games as a triathlete for 8 years. However that didn’t come true, I am working with gratitude for all my previous career as a triathlete. And, if I’m going to do it, I want to give it my all.

How many athletes does Masamitsu Tomikawa currently coach?
Three male para triathletes of the National team and 3 collegiate triathletes in my university (Senshu University in Japan).

Greatest achievements for Masamitsu Tomikawa as a coach?
I trained one silver medallist (Hideki Uda, male PTS4) and one bronze medalist (Satoru Yoneoka, male PTVI) in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic games.

For more information on the World Triathlon Coach Education Programme, visit the website.