Tokyo: Excitement was in the air at Tokyo International Airport as the Japanese players boarded their flight on Thursday with dreams of success at 2019 Sudirman Cup that will kick off in Nanning, China this Sunday.
Japan’s Sudirman Cup vice-captain, Ayaka Takahashi told reporters that she and other female players had conducted intense sparring sessions with the Japanese men’s B team, and it was a very enjoyable and fruitful training for them.
“We were able to adapt to male players’ powerful smashes and quick speed, and it was an effective training,” said the Rio Olympic gold medalists.
Meanwhile, Japan’s team captain Takeshi Kamura was confident that his team could take home the Sudirman Cup trophy.
“We have upgraded our overall strength and hope to achieve the goal of winning the championship,” said Kamura.
“The team is united and extremely focused of winning the championships. We even went to eat barbecue together to boost our morale,” added Kamura.
The top seeds Japan have been drawn into Group 1A with Thailand and Russia.
