Para-surfer Tomoki Fujiwara, who lives with a service dog, wins an international competition in Hawaii!
Para-surfer Tomoki Fujiwara has achieved his first victory at the Hawaii Adaptive Surfing Championship. Having lived in a wheelchair since a spinal cord injury in 2009, Fujiwara has pursued adaptive surfing and competes alongside his service dog, Ten. He is scheduled to participate in the 'Japan Open Adaptive Surfing Championship 2026' in Makinohara, Shizuoka, at the end of May.
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- 📰 Published: May 20, 2026 at 18:00
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Tomoki Fujiwara, a para-surfer, loved surfing and frequented the ocean even before his disability. In 2009, he suffered a cervical spinal cord injury in a surfing accident, leading to a life in a wheelchair. Afterward, he started adaptive surfing, a sport accessible to individuals with disabilities, and has been challenging himself globally as a Japanese representative for the World Para Surfing Championship since 2017. Although he has competed in many tournaments and won medals internationally, he had rarely reached the top spot.
However, he won his class at the 'Hawaii Adaptive Surfing Championship' held in Hawaii from May 5th to 8th.
On May 30th (Sat) and 31st (Sun), the 'Japan Open Adaptive Surfing Championship 2026' will be held in Makinohara City, Shizuoka Prefecture, with Fujiwara scheduled to compete. It will be a rare opportunity to see the Hawaii international champion para-surfer in person.
Regarding the win, Fujiwara commented: 'I am truly happy to have won one of the titles I have aimed for over many years. Even after my accident and subsequent disability, I never gave up on surfing. I reached this point thanks to everyone who cheered for me, my family and friends who supported me, and my service dog, Ten, who supports my daily life.'
'Adaptive surfing is a sport where people with disabilities can enjoy the ocean and challenge themselves. I hope this win helps more people learn about adaptive surfing and the role of service dogs.'
Tomoki Fujiwara has been living with a service dog since becoming a Japanese representative in 2017. Service dogs are trained to assist people with physical disabilities, such as picking up dropped items or finding mobile phones, acting as an extension of their limbs. By living with a service dog, Fujiwara can travel to distant surfing practice spots alone, making the dog an indispensable part of his daily life.
About Adaptive Surfing:
'Adaptive' means flexible or adjustable. Adaptive surfing is surfing for people with disabilities. It involves various techniques tailored to individual needs, such as surfing with prosthetics, kneeling, sitting while paddling, lying prone, receiving support, or specialized classes for the visually impaired.
About Service Dogs:
These are dogs specially trained to meet the individual needs of people with physical disabilities, assisting with daily life activities like picking up items or fetching mobile phones. As of October 2025, there are only 56 pairs in Japan. It is estimated that 15,000 people with physical disabilities could benefit from a service dog. While service dogs are provided free of charge, about 90% of their training costs depend on donations from companies and individuals.
However, he won his class at the 'Hawaii Adaptive Surfing Championship' held in Hawaii from May 5th to 8th.
On May 30th (Sat) and 31st (Sun), the 'Japan Open Adaptive Surfing Championship 2026' will be held in Makinohara City, Shizuoka Prefecture, with Fujiwara scheduled to compete. It will be a rare opportunity to see the Hawaii international champion para-surfer in person.
Regarding the win, Fujiwara commented: 'I am truly happy to have won one of the titles I have aimed for over many years. Even after my accident and subsequent disability, I never gave up on surfing. I reached this point thanks to everyone who cheered for me, my family and friends who supported me, and my service dog, Ten, who supports my daily life.'
'Adaptive surfing is a sport where people with disabilities can enjoy the ocean and challenge themselves. I hope this win helps more people learn about adaptive surfing and the role of service dogs.'
Tomoki Fujiwara has been living with a service dog since becoming a Japanese representative in 2017. Service dogs are trained to assist people with physical disabilities, such as picking up dropped items or finding mobile phones, acting as an extension of their limbs. By living with a service dog, Fujiwara can travel to distant surfing practice spots alone, making the dog an indispensable part of his daily life.
About Adaptive Surfing:
'Adaptive' means flexible or adjustable. Adaptive surfing is surfing for people with disabilities. It involves various techniques tailored to individual needs, such as surfing with prosthetics, kneeling, sitting while paddling, lying prone, receiving support, or specialized classes for the visually impaired.
About Service Dogs:
These are dogs specially trained to meet the individual needs of people with physical disabilities, assisting with daily life activities like picking up items or fetching mobile phones. As of October 2025, there are only 56 pairs in Japan. It is estimated that 15,000 people with physical disabilities could benefit from a service dog. While service dogs are provided free of charge, about 90% of their training costs depend on donations from companies and individuals.
FAQ
What is adaptive surfing?
It is a sport where individuals with disabilities surf by adapting techniques such as sitting, kneeling, or using prosthetics based on their specific needs.
Why does Tomoki Fujiwara compete with a service dog?
The dog helps with daily tasks like picking up dropped items, enabling Fujiwara to travel independently for surf training and live a more autonomous life.
How can I support service dogs in Japan?
Organizations like the Japan Service Dog Association rely heavily on public donations. Support can be provided directly through their official website.