TOKYO, Japan, December 14, 2023 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced that it has signed a sponsorship agreement with wheelchair racer Catherine Debrunner who holds six world records in 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m and Marathon. Debrunner is one of the top athletes in the world as she was awarded the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year* with a Disability for 2023 that saw her dominate on both the road and the track.

Honda has a history of supporting athletes in various sports, and the sponsorship is a result of having been deeply impressed with Debrunner’s attitude of continuing to embark on new challenges.

As a Honda-sponsored athlete, from 2024 Catherine Debrunner will race on Honda’s “KAKERU” racing wheelchair.

Based on the vision for its sports activities – “To increase the number of people who take on challenges through sports activities and make the lives of all people more enjoyable” – Honda has been and will continue to support various athletes who take on challenges toward the realization of their own dreams.

An annual award honoring the achievements of individuals and teams from the world of sports

Date of birth: 11 April 1995
Nationality: Swiss
Sport: Wheelchair racing (100m - Marathon)

2019
World Championships Dubai   1st 400m

2021
Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games   1st 400m and 3rd 800m

2022
Berlin Marathon   1st on marathon debut
London Marathon   1st

2023
World Championship Paris   1st 400m, 800m, 1500m and 5000m
World Championship Paris   2nd 100 m
Berlin Marathon   1st
Chicago Marathon   1st
New York City Marathon   1st
Oita International Wheelchair Marathon   1st
Won the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award

“I am extremely pleased to be part of the Honda family. This is a big dream come true.Thanks to Honda, I now have a chair that is tailor-made for me and is also the most beautiful chair I could wish for.It is a great honor to have Honda as my partner. Their support, their know-how and the dedication with which they carry out their work is simply incredible. I'm really looking forward to working with Honda to professionalize my career even more and take our sport forward.”

Grounded in its basic philosophy of respect for humanity, Honda launched R&D efforts involving racing wheelchairs in 2002. The goal was to help a broad range of individuals realize their dreams and experience the joys of mobility. Since then, Honda’s delivered racing wheelchairs that help athletes sponsored by the Honda Group achieve their fastest possible speeds.

The Honda Group seeks to communicate the joy and wonder of pushing oneself to one’s limits, tackling challenges and making dreams real, and further expanding awareness of wheelchair racing and athletics for people with disabilities.

For further information on Honda’s racing wheelchairs:
https://racer.honda-sun.co.jp/en/