Dialogue/roundtable discussion

15 years after the Paris-Dakar endurance race - revenge at the Sahara Marathon - life in pursuit of dreams never ends

We spoke with Challenger Wada, who took on the Paris-Dakar endurance race in his twenties and now takes part in stage races in deserts, Antarctica, and more.

Q1: One month after the surgery, how is your vision?
I can see well both far and near, and I can use my smartphone or maps for detailed work without any problems, so my daily life has become much more comfortable. Reading the text in the newspaper requires a little concentration, but I think you get used to it. Thanks to the surgery, my field of vision has improved and I no longer need contact lenses or glasses, so I'm now interested in trying water sports, which I avoided before. In August, I'm scheduled to participate in an adventure race that combines mountain biking, kayaking, and trail running, and next year I'm also looking forward to a race in the Gobi Desert.

Q2: Please tell us about the tough races you have taken on so far.
I have participated in 250km-class stage races held in deserts, Antarctica, and other places. My first turning point was the Paris-Dakar Rally, which I took on at the age of 28. I had learned about the Paris-Dakar Rally, which involves racing through the Sahara Desert by car or motorbike, and had always wanted to participate in it. I will never forget the experience of being left behind in the desert with engine trouble, only to recover my car on my own and reach the finish line. However, I was left with regrets about not being able to complete the race. After that, I also tried marathons and triathlons, but by running through the Sahara Desert on my own two feet, I felt like I had finally achieved my revenge in the Paris-Dakar Rally.

Q3: I've heard that you are also very active in social contribution activities.
Using her experience of making dreams come true in various races, she is now carrying out support activities through running. Her activities include donating medals to pediatric wards and the "Traveling Doll" project, in which hospitalized children travel to places they want to go and broadcast their journeys on their behalf. She wants people to never give up on their dreams.

Q4: How did you feel after having multifocal lens surgery?
I decided to have surgery after suffering from declining eyesight. After the surgery, my vision became clear without the need for contact lenses, and I felt so happy that it felt like my life had changed. Now that I have so many things I want to do, I'm really glad that I chose multifocal lenses.

back to index