It's been a
long time between drinks for a Japanese side trying to
reclaim the glory days of 1960's and 70's. Olympic
Gold in 1964 and 1976, silver in 1968 and 1972 along
with World Championship titles in 1962, 1967 and 1974
are a reflection of Japan's power and supremacy 30
years ago but now their national side is hoping to
relive those memories with a satisfactory performance
in Italy.
Team officials believe the non-participation in the
last Olympics was a big setback and this has resulted
in the appointment by the Japan Volleyball Association
to hire present coach Masahiro Yoshikawa. Core players
remain the same as the previous years but younger
talent like the lanky Sachiko Sugiyama (184 cm) are
expected to be key players in the future.
Last year's 13th place finish at the 2002 World
Championship is a good launch pad to show some
improvement at the 2003 World Grand Prix for Ken Maeda
and his team and coming off a sixth place finish in
Montreux, they have shown glimpses of form, which can
trouble some of the big guns.
Speed
and efficiency have always been traits of the Japanese
women's team but trying to utilize the assets within
will be Maeda's number one task and at the 2002 World
Championship in Germany Japan showed they can get it
right, especially with their win over Eastern European
heavyweights Bulgaria.
Naturally lacking in height - Sano at 158cm being the
shortest player - Japan's liberos will be crucial to
any substantial improvement but one thing can be
guaranteed there will nothing lacking in Japan's
determination to see their name back on the podium,
whether it is this year is something that is yet to be
determined.