Unirita Employs Para Table Tennis Player as Athlete Employee

Unirita Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Hiroyuki Kitano; TSE Standard Market: 3800; hereinafter, Unirita) has employed para table tennis player Izumi Saito as an athlete employee, effective April 1, 2026, as part of its DE&I promotion and corporate sports support initiatives.

Ms. Saito is a notable para-athlete who has overcome a long battle with intractable disease, including joint pain and general fatigue due to the designated intractable disease "Sjogren's Syndrome", and reached a top national level in just three years of competition. With interpersonal support skills cultivated through her experience as a teacher and counselor at public elementary and junior high schools, along with strong challenging spirit gained from her illness, she is expected to make a significant contribution to Unirita's diversity promotion.

■ About Izumi Saito

Profile

・Name: Izumi Saito

・Career: Public elementary and junior high school teacher and counselor, private tutoring school management

She has demonstrated coaching and counseling abilities by providing personalized support to students and guardians, considering their individual characteristics and circumstances.

■ Main Competitive Achievements

Competition Class: Class 2 (Based on international classification rules, players are divided into classes 1-10 depending on the impact of their disability on table tennis play. Lower numbers indicate more severe disability, with Class 2 being the second most severe among wheelchair users)

・Tokyo Metropolitan Para Sports Tournament (2024) Winner

・National Para Sports Tournament (2024・2025) Consecutive wins in Division 10

・All Japan Para Table Tennis Championships (2025) Mixed Doubles Winner / Singles 3rd Place

・Atami City Sports Festival (2025) Winner

・All Japan Open Para Table Tennis Championships (2026) G2 Singles Runner-up

Due to her remarkable growth, she is expected to be a candidate for future強化指定選手 (strengthening designated athlete) and to achieve success in international competitions.

By welcoming Ms. Saito, who embodies a challenging spirit, Unirita will further promote the cultivation of a corporate culture where diverse talent can thrive. The company will also continue its efforts in social contribution through sports and creating a workplace where everyone, regardless of disability, can work comfortably.