There were people enjoying the FIFA World Cup (World Cup) Qatar tournament, which is finally entering the knockout stage, from a unique perspective.
On the 2nd, the day before the opening of the Judo Grand Slam (GS) Tokyo Tournament (from 3rd to Tokyo Gymnasium), All Japan Men’s Coach Keiji Suzuki (42) responded to the press in Tokyo and mentioned the World Cup.
For the first international competition in his home country since the Tokyo Olympics (Olympics) last summer, he said, “It will be a very important competition for athletes who are aiming for the Paris Olympics (2024), and it will be a competition that will pave the way.” On the other hand, he touched on the heated Japanese national soccer team in response to questions from the press.
Japan, led by Hajime Moriyasu (54), entered the last 16 for the second consecutive World Cup on the morning of the 2nd. In the final match of the first league, they came from behind to win Spain 2-1, and topped the “group of death” Group E, where Germany also lived.
He relaxed his cheeks, saying, “I’ve been excited since morning,” but immediately tightened up. Despite their advance to the finals tournament, which overturned their pre-tournament expectations, he said, “I’m curious about the other teams. For example, Argentina lost (to Saudi Arabia in the first match), and there are a lot of giant killings in this tournament.” After talking about it, he introduced his own point of view.
“Among them, what caught my eye was of course Japan’s success, but it was also the side that was giant-killed.
Director Suzuki, who was once a soccer boy. He won the gold medal in the men’s over 100 kg category at the 2004 Athens Olympics, and currently manages the men’s national team that carries the Japanese flag. From the position of leading the world as the birthplace of soccer, I stood on the side of the powerhouse in the world of soccer and watched the broadcast from a kind of “top-down” perspective.
“Countries like Germany and Spain often fight against countries called lower ranks in the main tournament. Japan’s judo will be on that side. What caused the defeat? Did they fight Japan? Watching the match from the side of a powerful country makes me feel tense.I watched Japan’s victory with fear rather than ‘100% joy’.”
I understand Moriyasu Japan’s desire to win for the nation. However, before the Judo GS Tokyo, which will be held in Japan for the first time in three years, Director Suzuki was in gamer mode.
“Of course, it’s wonderful that Japan fought with all its might, but I also want to know how the losing side feels, how they fight, and what their mental state is.”
The Japanese men who won gold medals in five of the seven weight classes at the Tokyo Olympics. For the Paris Olympics, Suzuki, who has the defending champion and is also responsible for training the next generation, is naturally wary of countries like Japan, which defeated Germany and Spain for the first time, and regions like Asia, which have suffered South America and Europe. Resulting in.
“A battle that can never be lost.” No other sport is as prominent as judo. When I replaced myself, my spine grew. I was learning from the World Cup in the mentality of the side of the challenge, saying, “Rather than feeling like Japan, I did it, I felt scared to win.”
Japan will face last year’s runner-up Croatia in the first round of the final tournament (T) at midnight on the 6th.
“I’m going to see how Japan will play in the final T, and how the countries aiming for the championship will respond from various perspectives.”
From here on, Samurai Blue aims for the first best 8 in a new scenery. I’m looking forward to an ambitious battle, but I also want to refer to the behavior of V candidate who doesn’t allow a one-shot match.
The perspective of a judoka who enjoys a festival that comes once every four years, just like the Olympics, seems to be one of the many ways to enjoy the World Cup.[Jun Kinoshita]
(Nikkan Sports.com/Column “We Love Sports”)
