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Hello everyone, I am Takuya Ota representing the Wakuwaku Wrestling Class.

I would like to say a few words on behalf of the staffs and the organization.

First, I would like to tell the story behind the establishment of this Wakuwaku Wrestling Class. Four years ago, I watched the drama ¡ÈThe One and Only (¤¿¤Ã¤¿¤Ò¤È¤Ä¤Î¤¿¤«¤é¤â¤Î)¡É featuring Seiko Matsuda on Nippon Television. This drama was based on a true story of a mother and her son with Down syndrome. After watching the drama, I suddenly wanted children with Down syndrome to experience wrestling. I researched about the disorder but to my dismay, learned that there were many symptoms and congenital disabilities like weak cervical spine. Then, I decided that instead of establishing a class that teaches wrestling as a competitive sport, perhaps a class emphasizing aerobic exercises based on wrestling can be made. With Japan Down Syndrome Society¡Çs support, participants were gathered at the Waseda University¡Çs wrestling room for the first time in July 2005, creating the Wakuwaku Wrestling Class. The first class only had 6 participants, but today our class has grown to 34 members.

In the beginning, it was a new experience for me and there were many confusion, but I was greatly supported by the children¡Çs smiles. Children with Down syndrome are always full of energy, cheerful, and extremely affable. At practice, I am able to coach them while having a wonderful time filled with fun and laughter.

It has been two years since the establishment of our wrestling class, and we are now expanding nationally. Last year, a class was opened at Kyoto Yawata High School, and a wrestling match between the two wrestling classes was hosted at Gifu-Takayama in September. I hope to further expand wrestling classes throughout Japan.

Finally, the class continues in hopes that wrestling will become an official event at the Special Olympics, and will work towards this as a goal instead of a dream.

¡ÚName¡Û
Wakuwaku Wrestling Class for Children with Downs Syndrome/Autism
¡ÚHead Coach¡Û
Takuya Ota (Waseda University Wrestling Team Coach, 1996 Atlanta Olympic Bronze Medalist for 74kg Freestyle Wrestling)
¡ÚSeat¡Û
Tokyo
¡ÚOffice¡Û
NPO WASEDA CLUB Wrestling Division
2F Ichiji Building 3-32-6 Kamiigusa Suginami-ku
Tokyo ¢©162-0023 Japan
TEL: 03-3301-5930 FAX: 03-2201-5920
¡ÚLocation¡Û
Waseda University Wrestling Room
B2 Building 17 Waseda University Waseda Campus
1-6-1 Nishi-Waseda, Shinjuku-ku,
Tokyo ¢©169-8050 Japan
¡ÚHost¡Û
WASEDA CLUB Wrestling Division
¡ÚAuthorization¡Û
Waseda University Hirayama Ikuo Memorial Volunteer Center (WAVOC)
¡ÚSponsors¡Û
Yomiuri Chiba Kokoku Corporation/Eikoh Inc/Isami Trading Co Ltd/Mimi Swimming Club
¡ÚDate of Establishment¡Û
July 2, 2005

July 2, 2005
¡ÈWrestling Class for Children and Families with Down Syndrome¡É established. First class with 6 participants held.

October 1
Authorized as an official WAVOC project.
Name changed to ¡ÈWakuwaku Wrestling Class for Children and Families with Down Syndrome and Autism¡É.

August 6, 2006
A trial ¡ÈWakuwaku Wrestling Class for Children and Families with Down Syndrome and Autism¡É held in Hokkaido.

October 28
Sister class ¡ÈWakuwaku and Fun Wrestling Class for Children and Families with Down Syndrome and Autism¡É established at Kyoto Yawata High School (running from January 2007).

September 8-9, 2007
Match with the Kyoto team took place at Takayama City of Gifu prefecture, accomplishing our first goal.
Waseda team won with 9 wins, 8 losses, and one tie.

April 2008 (Present)
Currently have 34 registered participants.

¡ÚTheme¡Û
¡ÈWakuwaku Wrestling Class for Children and Families with Down Syndrome and Autism –Infinite Possibilities–¡È
~ Daily Development Body and Mind Wrestling ~
¡ÚPurpose¡Û¡¡¡¡
Currently, there are about 50,000 to 60,000 children with Down syndrome in Japan. That is about one out of every 700-800 children, which would not be surprising if there was someone that we know with this disorder. Also, everybody have unique conditions, and they must live with their disability for the rest of their lives. Many families are working hard everyday to live in a society where there are still misunderstandings in the society. They are all living strong while thinking about uncertain future. Certainly it is wonderful that parents grow strong with their children, but shouldn¡Çt it be different? Shouldn¡Çt everybody and the society cooperate so that those with disabilities can live easier lives? We hope to help achieve this through wrestling, where we can develop relationships with children with Down syndrome and their parents through physical contact and communication. Also, we hope to develop their hearts and minds so that they can challenge themselves throughout their lives. With these in mind, on July 2, 2005, we establish the ¡ÈWakuwaku Wrestling Class¡É.

Wrestling is NOT a dangerous sport. At our class, we consider the symptoms and disabilities of individuals like weak spine, and practice accordingly to ensure safety. We begin with a warm up, then stretch, and incorporate mat exercises, jump rope, balance training, and games in our practice. Through wrestling, participants are able to increase his or her overall fitness by strengthening the joints and the muscles, as well an increasing balance and endurance.
Assuming that children with Down syndrome cannot wrestle inhibits their infinite possibilities. In the United States, it is not uncommon for high school students with Down syndrome to participate in their local high school wrestling team with other students. All children have something that they excel at, and we believe that it¡Çs necessary to help them find their talent and build their confidence as a member of the society.