Japan's dramatic exit in the quarter-finals of the Paris 2024 Games did not deter captain Yuki Ishikawa from his dream of leading his country to an Olympic podium, and he confirmed his desire to try again in four years at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
In an interview with Fuji TV, the 28-year-old Ishikawa recalled Japan's incredible defeat to Italy in the Paris quarter-finals, when the Asians lost the match after winning the first two sets and leading 24-21 in the third.
Ishikawa, who had led Japan to silver in the Volleyball Nations League just a month before the Olympics and helped the team climb to second place in the FIVB World Rankings before the Games, took much of the blame for the elimination on his shoulders, despite finishing that match with 32 points. After a period of reflection, he once again felt that his desire to lead Japan to an Olympic podium was very much alive within him.
"I felt that the debt to the Olympics could only be repaid at the Olympics," he said. "So my position is to continue striving for a medal and to be the best in the world in Los Angeles 2028."
In the interview, the Japanese star revealed how a somewhat similar situation he observed during the Games, but with a different outcome, helped him consider what went wrong after Japan failed to close out the match against the Italians.
"We lost because we failed to win a single point, and that reminded me how important every single point is," the captain explained. "After that, I was disappointed, but I continued to watch the Olympics and I saw when the basketball match between the United States and Serbia in the semifinals was also decided by just a few points. I noticed that Stephen Curry, who scored the final points for the Americans, was smiling and enjoying that moment. When I look back at our match against Italy, I realize that I wasn't having much fun. Maybe I should have believed in myself more too."
Ishikawa's announcement of his stay with the national team is great news for Japan, after Kentaro Takahashi and Akihiro Yamauchi confirmed the end of their international careers after Paris 2024. Star Yuji Nishida decided to take a break from the national team, but did not rule out the possibility of returning to represent the country in Los Angeles.
photos :volleyballworld.com
