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Prince Harry visits Japan Paralympic hopefuls ahead of Rugby World Cup final

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Prince Harry visits Paralympian hopefuls in Japan ahead of 2019 Rugby World Cup final
Prince Harry was in Japan today ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup final (Picture: Getty/Reuters)

With the Rugby World Cup final in Yokohama in swing, the Duke of Sussex has been representing hopeful England fans visiting Japan.

He gave the team some encouragement with a personal message from the Queen thanking the boys for ‘inspiring’ the nation.

As he got ready to watch the match in the International Stadium in Yokohama, the duke visited boccia a training session for Paralympic hopefuls.

But as he got chatting to them about the big game, the Rugby Football Union patron discovered one or two of them were rooting for South Africa instead.

Speaking at Tokyo’s new Para Arena for disabled athletes, Harry asked the group who they would be supporting.

Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, talks with athletes during a boccia training session as he visits Para Arena, a purpose-built para sports training centre, in Tokyo, Japan November 2, 2019. REUTERS/Issei Kato
Prince Harry talks with athletes during a boccia training session in Tokyo’s new Para Arena (Pictur: Reuters)
Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, meets wheel-chair rugby athletes during their training session as he visits Para Arena, a purpose-built para sports training centre, in Tokyo, Japan November 2, 2019. REUTERS/Issei Kato
Most of them said they would be cheering on England, but not everyone (Picture: Reuters)

He was met with a chorus of ‘England’ before Tomoshige Kabetani piped up ‘South Africa!’

Harry joked: I’ll have a word later. You might not get selected for the Paralympics.’

Tomoshige, 32, said South Africa had been Japan’s last opponents in the tournament, hence his support for the Springboks.

Harry was met with a round of applause when the player said: ‘This year you became a father. We are so happy.’

The duke was shown around by power-lifter Eri Yamamoto, 36, who hopes to compete at next summer’s Tokyo Paralympics.

Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, takes a photo with athletes as he visits Para Arena, a purpose-built para sports training centre, in Tokyo, Japan November 2, 2019. REUTERS/Issei Kato
The duke poses for the camera with athletes as he visits Para Arena (Picture: Reuters)

Having competed at the London 2012 games as part of the Japanese support team, she told Harry she hopes 2020 meets can be a worthy successor.

The duke, 35, explained how public interest in disabled sport has ‘just got bigger and bigger’ since the event was held in the UK capital.

Meghan Markle will be staying at home to watch the final with baby Archie, who will be wearing a mini-England jersey.

As he arrived in Japan, the duke said: ‘I think it’s fantastic for rugby. Japan, the way that they’ve hosted this competition has been incredible.’

Harry also met a group of schoolchildren including Shiyo Sudo, 12, who said that he was ‘very handsome’ and pointed at his wedding ring.

‘I’m married!’, the duke proudly replied, holding up his left hand to cheers and hoots of laughter.

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