Sawt Falasteen - Wheelchair rugby's Aoki keen to emulate 'role model' Maher at Paralympics

Maher gained millions of followers on Instagram and TikTok as the USA claimed bronze in Paris in dramatic fashion last month.

Aoki, 33, has used Instagram in recent weeks to build hype for the Paralympics and is one of Team USA's content creator programme, which plans to give fans behind-the-scenes access to the Games.

"I think Ilona's a role model I really look up to. She really took it upon herself to build the brand of her sport which wasn't very well known," Aoki told AFP.

"The power of social media is that you can go out, you don't have to wait for social media to come to you, you just have to go out and do it.

"I've tried to embrace the same ethos and mantra that she has.

"She's someone who has been amazingly successful and is someone I look up to," he added about the 28-year-old.

Aoki and the US started their Paris 2024 campaign for the sport, also known as 'murderball' for its brutal collisions, on Thursday with a 51-48 win over Canada.

Sarah Adams scored six points as she became the first woman to play wheelchair rugby for the US Eagles at a Paralympic Games.

"I'm unbelievably proud of Sarah. She's worked so hard for this moment, she deserves all her plaudits, all her glory, it was a tremendous game by her," Aoki said.

"I thought she played fantastically on her debut.

"There's nothing that can prepare you for that sort of atmosphere and she rose to the occasion," he added.

- 'Fear nobody' -

As a child Aoki was diagnosed with hereditary sensory autonomic neuropathy, a rare genetic disorder which impacts the feeling in his hands and feet.

He is competing in his fourth Paralympics having made his bow in 2012, where more than 7,000 spectators witnessed a US bronze medal success.

"We haven't felt this energy and excitement since London 2012," Aoki said after thousands watched their victory over Canada.

"London 2012 was wonderful but this feels like we've created a movement globally.

"This really feels like it's from all across the world. It feels like we’re experiencing something in Paris," he added.

Aoki has put his PhD studies in international relations at the University of Denver on hold to prepare for Paris 2024.

"I like to know what's going on in the world," Aoki said.

"I will admit the last four months I have kind of shut down on that and I've had my eyes on Paris," he added.

Stopping Aoki from securing a gold medal, which would be the US' first since 2008, are likely to be defending champions Britain, world champions Australia as well as Japan.

Despite their rivals' pedigree, Aoki is bullish about the Eagles' hopes of going one better than Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro's silver medals.

"I don't fear anybody," he said. "But I respect the hell out of my opponents."

E.Aziz--SF-PST