Unirita-affiliated athlete achieves 4th place at Goalball World Championships

Unirita Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director, Executive Officer: Hiroyuki Kitano; TSE Standard Market: 3800; hereinafter "Unirita") is pleased to announce that Yuji Taguchi, a member of the Japan men's national goalball team and a designated training athlete affiliated with Unirita, participated in the "2026 IBSA Goalball World Championships" held in Hangzhou, China, as a representative of Japan. The Japanese men's national team achieved a 4th place finish, their highest result to date at the World Championships.

This tournament is the pinnacle international competition for goalball, bringing together 16 national teams from around the world.

The Japan men's national team advanced through the preliminary round with a perfect record, and Taguchi made significant contributions to the team as the "cornerstone of defense."

Tournament Overview

Tournament Name: 2026 IBSA Goalball World Championships

Location: Hangzhou, China

Format: Preliminary Round → Knockout Stage (Quarterfinals / Semifinals / 3rd Place Match)

Japan National Team Match Results

[Preliminary Round] (3 wins, 0 losses / Goal difference +23, 1st place)

Japan 11 - 1 Argentina

Japan 9 - 6 Finland

Japan 14 - 4 Poland

[Knockout Stage]

● Quarterfinals

Japan 16 - 9 USA

● Semifinals

Japan 6 - 12 Germany

● 3rd Place Match

Japan 6 - 10 Brazil

Comment from Yuji Taguchi

We finished in the top 4 at the World Championships, and I was unable to achieve the results I was aiming for in this tournament.

Frankly, I feel regret and keenly aware of my own shortcomings.

However, my path of challenge is not yet closed. I will sincerely accept this result, organize the necessary areas for improvement, and work diligently to make progress at the next world tournament in 2027.

I ask for your continued support.

Comment from Unirita

We are deeply proud that Taguchi competed with dignity on the world stage and achieved a 4th place finish.

Unirita supports the challenges of our employee athletes and promotes the creation of an environment where diverse individuals can thrive.

We hope that this result will serve as a catalyst for further expanding the recognition of goalball and encouraging the challenges of each and every employee.

Japan Goalball Association

https://jgba.or.jp

Unirita Co., Ltd. https://www.unirita.co.jp

Leveraging its strengths in service management and data management, Unirita contributes to the business growth of its customers who are working to solve social issues and support sustainable social infrastructure. Guided by the "UNIRITA Leadership Principles (ULP)," the common philosophy of the Unirita Group, and in collaboration with group companies, we aim to realize our purpose: "Creating an economy woven with altruism."

[Contact for Inquiries Regarding This Matter]

Unirita Co., Ltd. Corporate Operations Division, Human Resources Strategy Department

https://www.unirita.co.jp/inquiry/form.html

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* Information contained in this press release is current as of the date of announcement. Please note that it may be subject to change without prior notice.