Leading up to the Paris Paralympics, Chuck Aoki, a wheelchair rugby player, has been actively engaged in boosting excitement about the Games on social media. Through his videos, Aoki touches on a variety of topics, from jokes about team uniforms to educating viewers on how the Paralympics are organized. As a four-time Paralympian with a background in teaching, Aoki is passionate about sharing his experiences and knowledge with others. He believes that it is important for disabled individuals to have a voice in discussing the Paralympics but emphasizes that it is not their responsibility to educate others about disability.
Born with hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type II, which causes reduced feeling in his limbs, Aoki discovered his love for wheelchair rugby after watching the documentary “Murderball” about the sport. Despite initial doubts from others due to his physical stature, Aoki quickly fell in love with the fast-paced and physical nature of the game. Making it onto the Paralympic team for the first time in 2012, he has been on an “incredible run ever since.” Wheelchair rugby, a unique and exciting sport that combines elements of rugby, hockey, soccer, and basketball, has garnered a solid fanbase around the world.
Aoki highlights the importance of understanding the classification system before watching the Paralympics. This system matches athletes of similar abilities to ensure fair competition. For individual sports events, such as visually impaired running, athletes are grouped according to their level of impairment. In team sports like wheelchair rugby, each player is assigned a classification number based on their level of function, ensuring a balanced team composition. Aoki’s own classification number is 3, indicating a higher level of function. He is particularly excited for this year’s Paralympic Games in Paris, as more sports than ever will be broadcast on Peacock, providing greater access to viewers.
The Paralympics offer an opportunity for fans of the Olympics to discover new sports and athletes. Aoki enjoys seeing people learn about the Paralympics and expand their horizons. He emphasizes the importance of the classification system in creating fair and inclusive competition for athletes of all ability levels. While some visually impaired runners may be able to compete on their own, others may require a guide. In wheelchair rugby, each player’s classification number determines their level of function, with the total team points capped at 8 in a four-on-four match. Aoki believes that the increased coverage of the Paralympics on platforms like Peacock will help generate excitement and interest among viewers.
Aoki hopes to use his platform to educate others about the Paralympics and promote inclusivity in sports. He encourages people to tune into the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on Peacock, starting on August 28th. With more live coverage and the return of the Gold Zone, Aoki believes that the Games will provide a spectacular viewing experience for audiences. He hopes that the increased accessibility to watch the Paralympics will inspire more people to support and celebrate the incredible athletes competing in the Games. Aoki’s dedication to sharing the joy and excitement of wheelchair rugby and the Paralympics reflects his passion for the sport and commitment to promoting inclusion and diversity in the world of adaptive sports.
