Tag: Takahashi

Japan’s Ran Takahashi leaves Manila to treat knee injury

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FILE–Japan’s Ran Takahashi during a VNL 2024 game in Manila. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Japan star Ran Takahashi has already departed Manila to treat his nagging knee injury especially the Paris Olympics just a little over a month away, according to Philippine National Volleyball Federation Tats Suzara.

Takahashi on Friday was shut down for the remainder of the Manila leg of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) and was replaced by Shoma Tomita in the lineup. The Japan Volleyball Association didn’t announce the reason for the switch.

Despite his absence, Yuji Nishida and Yuki Ishikawa carried Japan to a 25-18, 25-19, 25-20 win over the Netherlands Friday evening at Mall of Asia Arena.

READ: Japan star Ran Takahashi out for remainder of VNL 2024

The two players respectfully refused to give more details about Takahashi’s injury but Ishikawa lauded Tatsunori Otsuka, who stepped up with eight points to fill in the void left by their teammate.

Team Japan's Yuji Nishida and Yuki Ishikawa in the VNL Week 3 in Manila

Team Japan’s Yuji Nishida and Yuki Ishikawa in the VNL Week 3 in Manila. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“I cannot say for the team but we have to play without him. And Otsuka was playing well, so we are so happy, and when someone [has an] injury, we have to play always. So we have a single body,” said Ishikawa, who dropped 15 points off 12 kills, two aces, and a block.

Nishida, who led the Japanese with 16 points, wished Takahashi well.

“This happened, so I hoped that he would come back but it is the situation and it’s more important to have that mentality. Maybe, we were a little bit nervous, I think the guys are keeping the motivation and energy,” Nishida said.

READ: VNL: Ran Takahashi, Japan seek improvement after loss to Canada

“I hope that [Ran] will come back much better at his game and join the team. So, it’s not so long before the Olympics, so, [he’s not in a hurry]. But keep improving step-by-step, for the important games. “

Japan, which improved to a 7-3 record, wraps up its campaign against France on Saturday before battling USA on Sunday at 7 p.m.

“[We have] two more different games coming. But I think we’re at a point where we’re like enjoying [playing] volleyball. So for us to win, [the goal] isn’t like this anymore but it’s more important to enjoy the game. So I keep this mindset like this [for the weekend],” Nishida said.



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Japan star Ran Takahashi out for remainder of VNL 2024

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Japan’s Ran Takahashi during a VNL 2024 game in Manila. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

VNL 2024 SCHEDULE: Week 3 Manila, Philippines leg

MANILA, Philippines — Japan men’s national volleyball team has ruled out Ran Takahashi for the remainder of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Manila leg.

The Japan Volleyball Association (JVA) on Friday announced that Takahashi will be replaced by Shoma Tomita in the lineup hours before Japan’s game against the Netherlands.

“We are pleased to announce that there have been changes to the players competing on the Japanese men’s national team for the Philippines tournament in the third week of the Volleyball Nations League 2024,” the federation wrote. “Tomita will be available to play from the match against the Netherlands.”

READ: VNL 2024: Ran Takahashi, Japan seek improvement after loss to Canada

The JVA, though, didn’t disclose the reason but a Filipino fan wasreported to have seen Takahashi at the airport.

Takahashi delivered 13 points in their 25-21, 20-25, 25-15, 20-25, 15-10, dropping to a 6-3 record still in sixth place.

The Japanese star has been one of the crowd favorites in Japan’s third straight year to play in Manila.

Takahashi suffered from injuries in the previous VNL Manila leg last year where he also missed their games.

Japan, which holds a 6-3 record, seeks to solidify its Final Eight chances against the Netherlands.



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Takahashi, Japan seek improvement after loss to Canada

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Japan during the VNL in Manila against Canada.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Ran Takahashi and Yuji Nishida vowed to bounce back after fan favorite Japan fell short against Canada in five sets in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Week 3 opener on Tuesday evening at Mall of Asia Arena. 

Energized by the roaring Philippine crowd, Japan fought back from a 1-2 match deficit but still yielded to Canada, 25-21, 20-25, 25-15, 20-25, 15-10, dropping to a 6-3 record still in sixth place.

Takahashi, who had 13 points to backstop team captain Yuki Ishikawa and Yuji Nishida, admitted they committed a lot of lapses.

READ: VNL 2024: Canada denies fan favorite Japan in five sets

“We have to improve our reception [and] we have our eyes on a solution. Canada has a really nice and higher block. I think we can do much better. We have our eyes on a solution but we have to improve our reception,” Takahashi told reporters.

After a bronze medal in last year’s VNL, Takahashi believes that the Japanese need to work on their chemistry as they seek to return to the Final Eight, which takes place in Poland.

“We joined immediately after three weeks [since the VNL] started. We had just one week or two weeks of practice. I think we are not perfect. Maybe we need more practice and we need more communication with each player. Then we have to create more [opportunities] for the team,” said the fan favorite, who is playing in his third VNL Manila stint.

READ: ‘Great expectations’ ahead for Japan in VNL Manila leg

Nishida, who led the way with 19 points, expressed his “major” respect for Canada, which he believed played at a high level to tighten its grip on seventh place with a 5-4 record. 

“Every single play is important. I think today was not our kind of game. Many times we didn’t have good plays. Kudos to Canada,” Nishida said. “I’m looking for more combinations and try not to make more mistakes and a little bit more [improvement] on the communication. They are points that I can [improve on] next game. Most importantly, on the communication, obviously on the passion.”

The Japanese, though, still accommodated the Filipino fans at the fan zone as they’ve been the most loved squad since the country started hosting the VNL in 2022.

Japan has two days of rest before seeking to regain its winning ways against the Netherlands on Friday.



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