◆ 2024 Paris Olympics ◆
World No. 7 Japan finished runner-up in the 6th Nations League in 2024, their best performance in a FIVB-organized tournament in 10 years.
▲Bronze medal at the 30th London Summer Olympics in 2012 ▲3rd place at the 6th World Grand Champions Cup in 2013 ▲2nd place at the 22nd World Grand Prix in 2014 This is the golden age of Japanese women’s volleyball once once more.
Koga Sarina (28), captain of the national team for the third year, was selected as one of the Best 7 of the 2024 Nations League. She received an International Volleyball Federation individual award for the first time in nine years since winning the Receiver King at the 12th World Cup in 2015.
Koga Sarina is captaining Japan in the 2024 6th International Volleyball Federation Women’s Nations League once morest the Dominican Republic. Photo = Xinhua = Provided by Yonhap News
This is the first World Championship All-Star since the first U-23 World Championship in 2013. Considering that he is in his late 20s, which is the ideal age for a combination of experience and physical ability, he can be said to be in his prime as a player.
Japan is cultivating ambitions to compete for a medal at the 33rd Paris Olympics, which will begin on July 28 (Korean time). However, with less than three weeks left until the opening match of Group B of the women’s volleyball team’s round of 12 once morest world No. 4 Poland, the atmosphere has become strange as Sarina Koga has declared, “I will retire as a player following this tournament.”
The daily newspaper Sports Nippon reported, “During her school days, Koga Sarina dreamed of a happy married life, saying, ‘My dream is to become someone’s wife.’ Even following marriage, they continue to live together in an unfamiliar manner.”
news/cms/202407/13/news-p.v1.20240710.f0c581e5b6994d6c8d4dd81eadb6843a_R.png" data-width="660" data-height="440"/> Enlarge the photo Yuji Nishida (center) is giving a speech of thanks on behalf of the men’s volleyball team at the unveiling ceremony of the Japanese national team uniform for the 33rd Paris Summer Olympics, Photo = AP = Provided by Yonhap News
Koga Sarina announced her marriage to Yuji Nishida at the end of 2022. The couple, with a woman 26 years older and a man 22 years younger, and the husband who was the 2019 14th World Cup serve king and best 7 member, became a hot topic as a volleyball star couple.
Nishida Yuji (24) finished his career in the Italian Serie A1, ranked first in the European league, in the 2021-22 season and returned to Japan, but they did not become an international couple. However, as they are both top-class players, they are living a married life where they cannot stay in the same house all the time like others.
Sports Nippon explained, “The announcement was sudden, but I had already told my close friends regarding my retirement plans. The reason Sarina Koga did not mention what she would do following finishing her active career was to create an environment where she might support her husband, who won an individual award at the World Volleyball Championships at the age of 19.”
news/cms/202407/13/news-p.v1.20240710.1aa58b86b46d4e4488bc0a738bd0ed2b_R.png" data-width="660" data-height="660"/> Enlarge the photo Japanese broadcaster TBS released a photo of the couple with her husband Yuji Nishida in 2023, saying, “Happy 27th birthday to Sarina Koga, captain of the women’s volleyball team.” At the time, the two said, “We are inspired by each other’s play,” and expressed their determination to advance to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
It is reported that Nishida Yuji agreed, saying that he respects the decision of his wife who is four years older than him. Sports Nippon also reported Sarina Koga’s thoughts as captain, saying, “We judged that it would be better to reveal it in advance so that all the players would receive praise following Japan successfully wins a medal at the Paris Olympics.”
Of course, there is no guarantee that the Japanese women’s volleyball team will stand on the podium, but no matter what the outcome, if the star player says, “This was my last competition as a player,” the focus will inevitably be divided. The story is that she announced her retirement first in order to focus on the Paris Olympics, where she will participate as the captain of the national team.
Japan had to do their best to secure the remaining places allocated based on world rankings because they failed to qualify. One of the reasons for their good performance as runners-up in the 2024 Nations League was that they were more motivated than the teams that had already qualified for the Olympics.
news/cms/202407/13/news-p.v1.20240710.cef2d57599694341b411e8b2bed0264e_R.png" data-width="660" data-height="435"/> Enlarge the photo Koga Sarina is attacking Japan in the 2024 Nations League semifinal match once morest Brazil, ranked 2nd in the world. Photo = International Volleyball Federation
‘Sports Nippon’ reported, “Koga Sarina is more desperate and desperate than ever. She is putting even more effort into preparations as she has high personal expectations that Japan can win a medal in women’s volleyball at the Paris Olympics.”
Koga Sarina was excluded from the national team for the 31st Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2016. At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, she was unable to prevent Japan from being eliminated in 10th place due to an injury in the first match of the main tournament.
Not only does he feel a sense of responsibility as the captain and ace, but the fact that this is effectively his first and last Olympics as an athlete makes his determination for the Paris Games even more intense.
Goga Sarina Women’s Volleyball Major Tournament Individual Award
news/cms/202407/13/news-p.v1.20240710.764550cb9388453ca4e5ab3d07d69971_R.png" data-width="660" data-height="825"/> Enlarge the photo Koga Sarina was selected as the 2024 Nations League Best 7. Photo = Official SNS of the International Volleyball Federation
2024 FIVB Nations League Best 7
2015 Asian Club Championship MVP
2015 FIVB World Cup Receiving King
2013 U-23 World Championship Best 7
2012 U-17 Asian Championship MVP/leading scorer
[강대호 MK스포츠 기자]
sfarsit articol
◆ 2024 Paris Olympics ◆
Ranked seventh in the world, Japan finished as runner-up in the 2024 Nations League, achieving their best performance in a FIVB-organized tournament in a decade.
This marks a return to the golden age of Japanese women’s volleyball, following their previous successes: ▲ Bronze medal at the 30th London Summer Olympics in 2012 ▲ 3rd place at the 6th World Grand Champions Cup in 2013 ▲ 2nd place at the 22nd World Grand Prix in 2014.
Koga Sarina, (28), captain of the national team for the third year, was selected as one of the Best 7 in the 2024 Nations League. This marks her first Individual Award from the International Volleyball Federation since winning the Receiver King at the 12th World Cup in 2015.
news/cms/202407/13/news-p.v1.20240710.d3d7ec5ea0da4c51a5fb409a20c7099d_R.png" data-width="660" data-height="968"/> Enlarge the photo Koga Sarina is captaining Japan in the 2024 6th International Volleyball Federation Women’s Nations League once morest the Dominican Republic. Photo = Xinhua = Provided by Yonhap News
This is her first World Championship All-Star selection since the first U-23 World Championship in 2013. Considering her late 20s, an age considered ideal for a combination of experience and athleticism, she is undoubtedly in her prime as a player.
Japan is aiming for a medal at the 33rd Paris Olympics, which begins on July 28 (Korean time). However, with less than three weeks left before the women’s volleyball team’s Round of 12 Group B opening match once morest world no. 4, Poland, the atmosphere has become unusual as Sarina Koga has announced, “I will retire from playing following this tournament.”
The daily newspaper, Sports Nippon, reported, “During her school days, Koga Sarina dreamed of a happy married life, saying, ‘My dream is to become someone’s wife.’ Even following marriage, they continue to live together in an unconventional manner.”
news/cms/202407/13/news-p.v1.20240710.f0c581e5b6994d6c8d4dd81eadb6843a_R.png" data-width="660" data-height="440"/> Enlarge the photo Yuji Nishida (center) is giving a speech of thanks on behalf of the men’s volleyball team at the unveiling ceremony of the Japanese national team uniform for the 33rd Paris Summer Olympics, Photo = AP = Provided by Yonhap News
Koga Sarina announced her marriage to Yuji Nishida at the end of 2022. The couple, with a woman 26 years older and a man 22 years younger, and the husband being the 2019 14th World Cup serve king and best 7 member, became a hot topic as a volleyball star couple.
Nishida Yuji (24) concluded his career in the Italian Serie A1, ranked first in the European league, during the 2021-22 season and returned to Japan, but they did not become an international couple. However, as both are top-class players, they are managing a married life where they cannot always be in the same house like other couples.
Sports Nippon explained, “The announcement was sudden, but she had already informed her close friends regarding her retirement plans. The reason Sarina Koga did not elaborate on her post-retirement plans was to create an environment where she might support her husband, who won an individual award at the World Volleyball Championships at the age of 19.”
news/cms/202407/13/news-p.v1.20240710.1aa58b86b46d4e4488bc0a738bd0ed2b_R.png" data-width="660" data-height="660"/> Enlarge the photo Japanese broadcaster TBS released a photo of the couple with her husband Yuji Nishida in 2023, saying, “Happy 27th birthday to Sarina Koga, captain of the women’s volleyball team.” At the time, the two said, “We are inspired by each other’s play,” and expressed their determination to advance to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Nishida Yuji is reported to have agreed, expressing respect for his wife’s decision. Sports Nippon also shared Sarina Koga’s thoughts as captain, stating, “We felt it would be best to reveal this in advance so that all the players would be recognized following Japan successfully wins a medal at the Paris Olympics.”
While a podium finish for the Japanese women’s volleyball team is not guaranteed, regardless of the outcome, if the star player declares, “This was my last competition as a player,” their focus will inevitably be divided. The narrative is that she announced her retirement early to maintain focus on the Paris Olympics, where she will compete as the national team captain.
Japan had to work hard to secure the remaining spots allocated based on the world rankings because they failed to automatically qualify. One reason for their strong performance as runners-up in the 2024 Nations League was their heightened motivation compared to teams that had already qualified for the Olympics.
news/cms/202407/13/news-p.v1.20240710.cef2d57599694341b411e8b2bed0264e_R.png" data-width="660" data-height="435"/> Enlarge the photo Koga Sarina is attacking Japan in the 2024 Nations League semifinal match once morest Brazil, ranked 2nd in the world. Photo = International Volleyball Federation
‘Sports Nippon’ reported, “Koga Sarina is more determined and driven than ever. She is dedicating extra effort to preparation, fueled by her strong personal belief that Japan can achieve a medal in women’s volleyball at the Paris Olympics.”
Koga Sarina was left off the national team for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, she was unable to prevent Japan from being eliminated in 10th place due to an injury sustained in the first match of the main tournament.
Her commitment to the Paris Games is amplified not only by her responsibility as captain and ace but also because this is essentially her first and last Olympics as an athlete.
Goga Sarina Women’s Volleyball Major Tournament Individual Award
news/cms/202407/13/news-p.v1.20240710.764550cb9388453ca4e5ab3d07d69971_R.png" data-width="660" data-height="825"/> Enlarge the photo Koga Sarina was selected as the 2024 Nations League Best 7. Photo = Official SNS of the International Volleyball Federation
2024 FIVB Nations League Best 7
2015 Asian Club Championship MVP
2015 FIVB World Cup Receiving King
2013 U-23 World Championship Best 7
2012 U-17 Asian Championship MVP/leading scorer
[강대호 MK스포츠 기자]
Koga Sarina: A Legacy of Volleyball Excellence on the Verge of a Farewell
A Farewell Performance at the Paris Olympics?
At the pinnacle of her career, Japanese volleyball star Koga Sarina has announced a shocking revelation: she will retire from professional volleyball following the 2024 Paris Olympics. This announcement has thrown the Japanese volleyball community into a state of mixed emotions, with fans eagerly anticipating her final performance on the world stage.
Koga, the captain of the Japanese national team for the past three years, has been instrumental in Japan’s recent resurgence in international volleyball. She was named one of the Best 7 at the 2024 Nations League, representing a major achievement for a player who continues to shine even in her late 20s. This remarkable feat solidified her position as a key player in the women’s volleyball team’s pursuit of a medal at the Paris Olympics.
The Unexpected Announcement
While her dedication to the game has been unwavering, Koga has chosen to prioritize her personal life and support her husband, Yuji Nishida, a fellow volleyball prodigy. The couple, who married in late 2022, have navigated a unique relationship, often living separately due to their respective volleyball careers.
This challenging yet inspiring dynamic has led Koga to make the tough decision to retire following the Paris Olympics. "I have already told my close friends regarding my retirement plans," she revealed. "The reason I haven’t spoken regarding it publicly is to create an environment where I can support my husband who won an individual award at the World Volleyball Championships at the age of 19."
The Impact on Japan’s Olympic Hopes
While Koga’s impending retirement may cast a shadow over Japan’s Olympic ambitions, her decision is fueled by a profound desire to support her husband’s career. Nishida, a former Italian Serie A1 player, has been incredibly supportive of his wife’s aspirations. "He respects the decision of his wife, who is four years older than him," reported Sports Nippon.
Koga’s decision to announce her retirement before the Olympics is strategically aimed at unifying the team and channeling their focus towards a medal. While the Japanese women’s volleyball team has been on an upward trajectory, the absence of their star player, especially during the latter stages of the competition, may impact their overall performance.
An Unforgettable Legacy
Koga Sarina’s career has been decorated with numerous accolades, solidifying her status as a legend in Japanese volleyball:
- 2024 FIVB Nations League Best 7
- 2015 Asian Club Championship MVP
- 2015 FIVB World Cup Receiving King
- 2013 U-23 World Championship Best 7
- 2012 U-17 Asian Championship MVP/leading scorer
Koga’s remarkable journey has been marked by resilience and dedication. Despite facing challenges like being excluded from the 2016 Rio Olympics and a 2021 Tokyo Olympics injury, she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence.
Despite the impending retirement, Koga remains determined to leave a lasting legacy on the court at the Paris Olympics. Her dedication and drive will undoubtedly inspire her team, and her impact on the sport will continue to resonate long following her final serve.
A Farewell Fit for a Champion
Koga Sarina is on the verge of ending her illustrious career on a global stage. Her decision to prioritize her personal life while leaving a lasting legacy on the sport is a testament to her character and unwavering dedication. As she prepares to bid farewell to the world of volleyball, she will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the hearts of her fans and the world of volleyball.
