A STORY OF SHINGO KUNIEDA
EITHER CHANGE OR DIE
In 2009, UNIQLO introduced its first GLOBAL BRAND AMBASSADOR, Shingo Kunieda. Two years prior, in 2007, he became the first wheelchair tennis world champion, winning all Grand Slam events for the first time in wheelchair tennis history. He followed with a singles Gold Medal at the 2008 Beijing Summer Paralympic Games. UNIQLO's initial contact with Shingo came as he contemplated a move to professional wheelchair tennis, a first for a Japanese player. He was already dominating the game so much that when a Japanese reporter asked Roger Federer why Japan is not able to produce a world-class player at his level, Federer replied, "What are you talking about? Japan has Shingo!"
Either change or die. These words are not overly dramatic when spoken by Shingo Kunieda, who at 9 years old was paralyzed in his lower body due to a spinal tumor. His mission in life became about overcoming challenges through "change". That mindset has become his greatest strength, as he now holds the most Grand Slam titles in the world of wheelchair tennis. An elbow injury in 2016 took him out of the game for an extended period of time, and he struggled to get back to form. He changed his coaching team, the wheelchair that acts as his legs, even his tennis swing. Back on the court in 2018, he marked his comeback with wins at the Australian Open and French Open. Shingo's indomitable spirit and capacity for change is in line with the UNIQLO vision of "Changing Clothes, Changing conventional wisdom. Change the world."
In 2009, UNIQLO introduced its first GLOBAL BRAND AMBASSADOR, Shingo Kunieda. Two years prior, in 2007, he became the first wheelchair tennis world champion, winning all Grand Slam events for the first time in wheelchair tennis history. He followed with a singles Gold Medal at the 2008 Beijing Summer Paralympic Games. UNIQLO's initial contact with Shingo came as he contemplated a move to professional wheelchair tennis, a first for a Japanese player. He was already dominating the game so much that when a Japanese reporter asked Roger Federer why Japan is not able to produce a world-class player at his level, Federer replied, "What are you talking about? Japan has Shingo!"
Either change or die. These words are not overly dramatic when spoken by Shingo Kunieda, who at 9 years old was paralyzed in his lower body due to a spinal tumor. His mission in life became about overcoming challenges through "change". That mindset has become his greatest strength, as he now holds the most Grand Slam titles in the world of wheelchair tennis. An elbow injury in 2016 took him out of the game for an extended period of time, and he struggled to get back to form. He changed his coaching team, the wheelchair that acts as his legs, even his tennis swing. Back on the court in 2018, he marked his comeback with wins at the Australian Open and French Open. Shingo's indomitable spirit and capacity for change is in line with the UNIQLO vision of "Changing Clothes, Changing conventional wisdom. Change the world."
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