2024-01-29 11:16:47
Head coach Toru Onzuka and captain Saki Hayashi interviewed at Narita Airport [写真]=Basketball King
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On January 29th, head coach Toru Onzuka and captain Saki Hayashi of the Japanese women’s national team (ranked 9th in the FIBA rankings), who are competing in the FIBA Women’s Olympic World Final Qualification (OQT), agreed to an interview at Narita Airport before departing for Japan.
Coach Onzuka expressed his feelings, saying, “It’s finally here. I’m excited,” and “I reaffirmed that I’ve done what I needed to do in the past 20 days, and this morning I did a good job.” commented. During the training camp, he apparently practiced in a match format with “top-level” university players, and regarding the current state of the team, he said, “In one word, things are going well.”
“Even when I played against male university students, I no longer gave up or thought, “That’s a little different.” It was difficult to catch.”I feel like it’s more challenging than games like that in the past, and I think the players feel that way too.”
Regarding the number of members, which had been narrowed down to 16 as of the 26th, including overseas members, he did not say, “I cannot answer,” considering the “information war” with rival countries. Regarding the invitation of overseas teams, he only said, “A decision will be made soon.” Even after going to Europe, he seems to be practicing privately, saying, “It’s not just the last week, but everyone is trying to fight through with confidence.It’s important to make sure of those things and stand on the court.” I think so,” he said.
In the OQT, which begins on February 8th, they will compete for the right to participate in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games against strong teams such as Spain (4th place) and Canada (5th place), as well as host country Hungary (19th place). Hayashi emphasized that the match against Spain on the 8th will be important.
“I don’t know how much information Spain has about us, but I think we have to play in a way that makes people think, ‘Oh!’ from the start. If we don’t make a mistake, our opponent will be big, and I think there will be that much of a difference.We want to create an atmosphere where we can challenge with confidence so that we can play to our heart’s content.”
It’s a big stage for Hayashi himself as captain. He said, “At the Tokyo Olympics, I was in a young position, so I wasn’t being warned by my opponents,” but “I think I’ll make adjustments this time.Personally, as a captain, I feel like I have to lead everyone.” , I think that’s a good sense of responsibility. It’s a tournament I definitely don’t want to lose, and I have a strong desire to come back with three consecutive wins.”
In the OQT, they will play against Spain on the 8th, Hungary on the 9th, and Canada on the 11th. Aim for the ticket to Paris, which is given to the top three teams.
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