NTN Provides Bearings for Sports WheelchairsSeptember 13, 2024
Contributing to easy and smooth riding of sports wheelchairs by utilizing bearing technology for bicycles
NTN Corporation (hereafter, NTN) provides Mr. Tomoya Ito (belonging to Bayer Yakuhin, Ltd) and Mr. Hirokazu Ueyonabaru (belonging to SMBC Nikko Securities Inc.) with bearings specially developed for sports wheelchairs by utilizing bearing technology and know-how for bicycles cultivated so far.
NTN has been developing and providing bearings for drive units, wheel, bottom brackets of electric assist bicycles as well as automobiles and industrial machinery. Through encouraging the development of bicycle market which is an eco-friendly, safe, and comfortable transportation, we also have contributed to reduction in environmental impact. The bearings we provide this time are specially developed for Mr. Ito and Mr. Ueyonabaru by utilizing our bearing technology and know-how realizing safety and smooth riding of bicycles.
We provided wheel bearings for sports wheelchairs with them in 2021. At that time, we selected rolling elements and lubrications based on their riding posture, feeling, and race strategy. After many adjustments, we finally developed the best specifications for them and contributed to their smooth and stable riding.*1
The bearings provided to them this time is the same deep groove ball bearings as previously provided ones that realized rotational performance and low torque with high level by adopting ceramic rolling elements and changing lubrications from grease to oil.
The bearings were installed in their wheels by our young engineer who is also a long-distance runner of NTN Track & Field Club. The engineer did the tuning work while sharing the attitude for racing and enthusiasm sticking to hundredths of a second as an athlete just like Mr. Ito and Mr. Ueyonabaru.
NTN will support the performance of both athletes, who have achieved brilliant results in numerous international competitions over the years and are aiming for even higher levels of performance, by providing bearings, and contribute to the creation of a society where everyone can enjoy sports lively.
- Press release on November 29, 2021:
NTN Provides Technical Support for Athletes of Wheelchair Athletics
https://www.ntnglobal.com/en/news/press/news202100075.html
Bearings for sports wheelchairs
Mr. Tomoya Ito (left) and Mr. Hirokazu Ueyonabaru (right)
Mr. Tomoya Ito
Profile
- Birth year: 1963
- Birthplace: Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture
- Affiliation: Bayer Yakuhin, Ltd
Comment
I will do my best to maximize the potential of bearings provided by NTN.
Recent results
| 2011 | World Championship (New Zealand): 4th place in 100 m, bronze medal in 200 m, gold medal in 400 m/800 m |
|---|---|
| 2012 | London 2012 Paralympic Games: 5th place in 100 m, silver medal in 200 m/400 m/800 m |
| 2019 | Dubai 2019 World Para Athletics Championships: silver medal in 400 m, bronze medal in 100 m/1500 m |
| 2024 | Paris 2024 Paralympic Games: bronze medal in 100 m, 7th place in 100 m |
Mr. Tomoya Ito
(belonging to
Bayer Yakuhin, Ltd)
Mr. Hirokazu Ueyonabaru
Profile
- Birth year: 1971
- Birthplace: Okinawa City, Okinawa Prefecture
- Affiliation: SMBC Nikko Securities Inc.
Comment
I will improve my ability so that I can take full advantage of the “rolling and inertia” characteristics of the bearings provided by NTN.
Recent results
| 2015 | Athletics World Championships Doha: silver medal in 400 m/1500 m |
|---|---|
| 2016 | World Championship (New Zealand): silver medal in 800 m, gold medal in 1500 m |
| 2016 | Rio 2016 Paralympic Games: 6th place in 400 m, 4th place in 1500 m |
| 2017 | 2017 World Championships in Athletics (London):bronze medal in 400 m/1500 m |
| 2018 | Asian Games (Jakarta, Indonesia) : 5th place in 400 m, 2nd place in 800 m |
| 2021 | Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games: bronze medal in 400 m/1500 m |
Mr. Hirokazu Ueyonabaru
(belonging to
SMBC Nikko Securities Inc.)
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