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Japan’s coach, Philippe Blain, was one of the very first international coaches to announce their roster for the upcoming international volleyball season. The initial training camp started on April 9th, with the international stars joining after the end of their season.
Opposites: Yuji Nishida, Kento Miyaura, Hiroto Nishiyama, Keihan Takahashi
Middle blockers: Taishi Onodera, Akihiro Yamauchi, Kentaro Takahashi, Go Murayama, Shunichiro Sato, Takahiro Namba, Larry Evbade-Dan, Kento Asano, Hirohito Kashimura, Hiromasa Miwa
Setters: Akihiro Fukatsu, Masahiro Sekita, Masaki Oya, Motoki Eiro, Ryu Yamamoto, Ryo Shimokawa
Liberos: Tomohiro Ogawa, Satoshi Tsuiki, Tomohiro Yamamoto, Kazuyuki Takahashi, Soshi Fujinaka, Kazuma Sonae
Outside hitters: Tatsunori Otsuka, Kenta Takanashi, Shoma Tomita, Ran Takahashi,, Masahiro Yanagida, Hiroki Ozawa, Kenya Fujinaka, Akito Yamazaki, Masato Kai, Yudai Arai
A look back on the past:
Over the past five years, the Japanese Men’s National Volleyball Team has emerged as a dominant force in international competitions, showcasing their skills and determination on the global stage. With impressive performances in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) and Olympic Games, Japan has captivated fans worldwide with their dynamic style of play and remarkable achievements.
The Volleyball Nations League has been a pivotal platform for the Japanese men’s team to showcase their talent and compete against the world’s best. Over the past five years, they have consistently delivered outstanding performances, leaving a lasting impact. With their relentless defence, swift and precise attacks, and exceptional teamwork, Japan has secured impressive victories against formidable opponents. Showing continuous improvement year over year finishing 12th, 11th, 10th 5th in the past 4 iterations of VNL.
Being the host of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics the Japanese volleyball team had a lot to prove, despite the lack of home crowd due to Covid-19. After managing to get out of an extremely difficult Pool A, Japan met Brazil in the quarter finals, where the experience of the South Americans prevailed over the Ryujin Nippon.
The team’s consistent involvement in these prestigious events underscores their dedication to competing against the best in the world. With their rich history and a roster of talented players, Japan’s national team continues to make significant contributions to the global volleyball community, demonstrating their commitment to the sport and their aspirations to achieve greatness on the international stage.
Players to look out for:
Yuji Nishida, the rising star of Japanese men’s volleyball, has taken the sport by storm over the past five years. With his electrifying skills and undeniable talent, Nishida has left spectators in awe and opponents scrambling to keep up. In the 2018 World Championships, at just 18 years old, he showcased his immense potential by leading Japan’s offence and emerging as the tournament’s top scorer. Fast forward to today and Nishida continues to shine, delivering powerful spikes and dynamic serves that help his team secure victories. With each passing year, Nishida’s star continues to rise, and the volleyball world eagerly awaits his next breathtaking performance.
Yuki Ishikawa, the dynamic force of the Japanese men’s volleyball team, has left an indelible mark on the sport in the past five years. With his explosive athleticism and versatility, Ishikawa has been a key contributor to his team’s success. At the 2021 Olympics, Ishikawa’s leadership and unwavering determination propelled his team to new heights. In the 2023 Italian Superliga, his powerful spikes and impeccable defence helped his team Allianz Milano reach the semi-finals. His ability to adapt to different positions on the court and deliver clutch performances has made him a fan favourite. Ishikawa’s impact on the game continues to grow, setting the stage for even greater achievements in the future.
Over the past five years, Ran Takahashi has taken the volleyball world by storm. In 2018, he made his debut with the Japanese National Team, and since then, his career has soared to new heights. An exceptional spiker with razor-sharp reflexes, Takahashi has earned MVP honours in numerous competitions, including the 2021 Asian Men’s Volleyball Championship. His powerful and precise attacks have made him a crucial component in Japan’s resurgence on the international stage. Ran’s unwavering dedication and natural talent make him a force to be reckoned with in the volleyball world.
