we can laugh about it now but back then takeshita received a huge backlash from russian fans. she even talked about it for a long time thank god social media wasn't yet a thing back then
Japan Women's NT 2025
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we can laugh about it now but back then takeshita received a huge backlash from russian fans. she even talked about it for a long time thank god social media wasn't yet a thing back then
It was pretty rough because she said she was harassed after the ceremony with some fans throwing stuff at her and then the day after when Japan was leaving for the airport....
Still, this remains one of the most intact core memory for majority of volleyball fans who aren't even fans of Japanese volleyball and also strong proof that no one will ever put Saori above Takeshita except Japanese fans themselves which is a little sad but their media always go overboard when it comes to Saori. I believe Zetterlund also talked about that way before Tokyo
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we can laugh about it now but back then takeshita received a huge backlash from russian fans. she even talked about it for a long time thank god social media wasn't yet a thing back then
But who can blame them?
It's ridiculous even now 20 years later for MVP to not be from winning team
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But who can blame them?
It's ridiculous even now 20 years later for MVP to not be from winning team
Takeshita herself was actually surprised by it. She wasn't even expecting any awards and it's not like she can turn it down. That would have a heavier consequence for her from JVA.
But she blocked Gamova a total of 6 times and she also had 0 errors which is what FIVB explained back then the reason for her getting the award.
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But who can blame them?
It's ridiculous even now 20 years later for MVP to not be from winning team
Didn't yuko sano also get an MVP award in an fivb event although Japan wasn't the winner? Actually that's the only other time I remember a libero not called Castillo or de Gennaro get mvp award
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It would have been even fairer to have given Takeshita the MVP in 2010 when Japan returned to the podium after 32 years (even though it would have been impossible with Gamova's performance in the final).
In 2006, it was one of the most ridiculous things I've ever seen. Takeshita wasn't even the best setter in that tournament, with Fofão, Maja, and Lo Bianco in the top four.
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It would have been even fairer to have given Takeshita the MVP in 2010 when Japan returned to the podium after 32 years (even though it would have been impossible with Gamova's performance in the final).
In 2006, it was one of the most ridiculous things I've ever seen. Takeshita wasn't even the best setter in that tournament, with Fofão, Maja, and Lo Bianco in the top four.
Takeshita was outstanding in that tournament. Winning the tournament didn't make Sheshenina and Akulova better setters than Fofao, Feng, Lo Bianco and Takeshita. And Maja was just a young player with huge potential that summer; after Beijing she was signed by Jesi, but she wasn't ready for the highest level, nowhere close to the other setters I mentioned the first time she played Serie A1.
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Japan won 2 friendly match vs Poland: 2x 3-1.
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So Wada is in "poor condition"
I wonder what that means and is gonna mean for WChAny update on this ?
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Japan roster in Thailand right now based on photos.
OH: Ishikawa, Sato, KitamadoOPP: Wada, Akimoto
MB: Shimamura, Miyabe, Yamada, Araki
S: Seki, Nakagawa
L: Kojima, Fukudome, Iwasawa
I’m putting Akimoto as OPP since she’s the main OPP in pretty much all training videos the past weeks, with Wada on the sidelines (recovering?).
I expected this lineup but I still would’ve preferred them bringing another OH because they don’t need 3 liberos. -
Sad that they did not bring Iwasaki as backup setter. Nakagawa ia good but she can't rotate to the front if Seki struggles match-long.
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Sad that they did not bring Iwasaki as backup setter. Nakagawa ia good but she can't rotate to the front if Seki struggles match-long.
I think Iwasaki would rather not answer the invite if she'd play as backup
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I don't understand Japan's obsession with taking 3 liberos (the worst part was wasting 13 spot by taking 3 to the Olympics), when they have 2 high-level ones like Kojima and Fukudome.
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I don't understand Japan's obsession with taking 3 liberos (the worst part was wasting 13 spot by taking 3 to the Olympics), when they have 2 high-level ones like Kojima and Fukudome.
Ironically libero is their least problematic position. It is like having de Gennaro and Castillo in the roster and still have Pogany as backup 🤣
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Akimoto's swing seems a little more "Teacher call on me" ( aka USA serve). She's got good aim but it's broadcast-y-ness can be read by more astute observers
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Shimamura. Overpass Magnet.
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Hope we get some Japanese volleyball tonight and not more of whatever that was against CAM
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Mayu is swinging like she's 193cm

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I am surprised by this rotation having Iwasawa sub Akimoto at the backrow leaving the team with a few attackers. But it worked so far in this set.
Off topic but I think Sato would rock red hair than blonde hair more. ✌️
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I am surprised by this rotation having Iwasawa sub Akimoto at the backrow leaving the team with a few attackers. But it worked so far in this set.
Off topic but I think Sato would rock red hair than blonde hair more. ✌️
Waiting for Iwasawa's pipe attack