Professional wheelchair tennis player Yui Kamiji, ranked world No. 2 for six consecutive years, is the focus of the documentary film The Break: Yui Kamiji, the World’s Most Tenacious Tennis Player, which will be released nationwide starting October 18. The documentary follows Kamiji as she challenges the world, always falling short against the same player and remaining in second place. The narration is provided by Natsuki Hanae, the voice actor known for portraying Tanjiro Kamado in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and his roles in various works such as The Prince of Tennis II U-17 WORLD CUP (2022). The teaser visual and trailer have also been released.

Born with a congenital condition that made walking increasingly difficult as she grew, Kamiji has been using a wheelchair since childhood. Influenced by her older sister, she began playing tennis at the age of 11, showing a natural talent for the sport. At the time, no specialized sports wheelchair was available locally, so her parents had to borrow one from a distant location. With the support of those around her, Kamiji competed in the London 2012 Paralympic Games while still in high school. After graduating, she turned professional and embarked on solo overseas tours at the age of 18, achieving the world No. 1 ranking by the age of 20.

In 2017, Kamiji won the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open, becoming the year's overall champion. She earned a bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Despite her success, Kamiji has always been second to Dutch player Diede de Groot, who consistently blocked her path to the top. For six years, Kamiji remained ranked world No. 2. Still, she never gave up and continued fighting daily to achieve the gold medal and become the best in the world.

The production team spent three years closely following Kamiji, who spends most of her year traveling for international competitions. She relentlessly pursues every opportunity and approaches challenges with unwavering determination, yet she also knows how to have fun and enjoy life to the fullest. This joyful spirit, born from her curiosity and hands-on approach to life from a young age, ensures that laughter is never far from her.

Supporting her from Japan is her mother, who watches over her with a bright smile, along with her coach and wheelchair engineer, who work closely with her to find the best solutions. Additionally, the documentary features the legendary Shingo Kunieda, a former professional wheelchair tennis player who retired last year after winning a record 50 titles in men's singles. Each person plays a vital role in supporting Kamiji from their respective positions.

Director Masaaki Niiyama's Comment:

This film portrays the dedicated efforts of an athlete striving for a gold medal. Yui Kamiji, who proudly holds the world No. 2 ranking, always has a smile on her face and never forgets to show gratitude to those around her. However, behind that smile lies an intense determination and refusal to compromise with herself. If this film helps generate interest in wheelchair tennis and encourages continued support, nothing would make me happier.

Producer Yuji Ozawa's Comment:

Over the past two years, I've had the opportunity to interact with Yui Kamiji and have discovered many of her admirable qualities. She has given me great courage: "Don't give up! I can do it! I'll do it!" I hope this film will convey the inspiring presence of Kamiji, who gently yet firmly pushes others forward, to as many people as possible.

Source : ORICON NEWS