Itís been a long time between
drinks for a Japanese side still trying to reclaim
the glory days of the 1960ís and 70ís. Olympic Gold
in 1964 and 1976, silver in 1968 and 1972 along with
World Championship titles in 1962, 1967 and 1974 are
a reflection of Japanís power and supremacy 30 years
ago but now their national side is only hoping to
relive those memories in the 2004 Olympic Games.
Something similar to their fifth place finish at the
2003 World Cup would do nicely for the Japanese at
the Games. Team officials believe the
non-participation in the last Olympics was a big
setback and this has resulted in the appointment by
the Japan Volleyball Association of present coach
Shoich Yanagimoto. Core players remain the same as
in previous years but younger talents like the lanky
24-year-old Sachiko Sugiyama (184 cm) are expected
to be key players in the future and will need to be
on top form going into the Games.
A 13th-place finish at the 2002 World Championship
and a ninth at the 2003 World Grand Prix means that
Yanagimoto and his team are heading in the right
direction following their stirring performance on
home soil at the World Cup.
Speed and efficiency have always been traits of the
Japanese womenís team but trying to utilize these
assets is till Yanagimotoís prime objective.
Naturally lacking in height Ė Yuko Sano at 158 cm
being the shortest player Ė Japanís liberos continue
to be crucial to any substantial improvement but one
thing can be guaranteed, that there will be nothing
lacking in Japanís determination to see their name
back on the podium.
Athens will see the Japanese team making its ninth
Olympic appearance, after missing out on the Sydney
Games. It will need to prove that its qualifying for
the Olympics by winning the Asian Championships was
not a flash in the pan but was due to deep skill.
And due also to the good work of coach Yanagimoto,
who will be hoping that his blend of the experience
of Tomoko Yoshihara and the talents of Yoshie
Takeshita, Miyuki Takahashi, and the baby of the
team Sano (1.58 m) is a recipe for success.