Saturday, August 4, 2012

A Whole New Ball Game

Today's blog is also about dealing with a disability,but it was only by coincidence that it came to my attention after yesterday's blog.
Blind tennis was invented by Miyoshi Takei,at first he just tried hitting a regular tennis ball without considering where it would go,then he designed a special ball that is larger and rattles so blind players can track it (also referred to as playing by ear). It is played on a badminton court with string taped to the lines so players can "feel" the court. Players are expected to hit the ball after it bounces two to three times depending on their level of impairment. It is now being established as a sport in several countries,including: Britain,Korea,China,Taiwan and recently the United States,Russia and Australia. The first championship took place in Japan in 1990.
Miyoshi died at age 42 when returning home with his blind wife he fell in front of a train in Tokyo, so he will not get to see the sport he created advancing.
Blind tennis

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