SPOTLIGHT ON TOKYO
Since the emergence of the Gulf States, Japan has struggled to regain its former glory. It has participated in the Olympic Games four times (1972, 1976, 1984 and 1988) and hosted the World Championship in 1997 – the first to be held outside of Europe. However, Japan has failed to develop within the discipline. Yet in the aftermath of the Japanese World Championship, French handball player Frédéric Volle committed to Suzuka and took command of the squad, swiftly joined by Stéphane Stoeckelin, who was voted the best player in the world. The Japanese were absent from the 2013 and 2015 World Championship, but were welcomed back for the World Championship in France following their 3rd place in Manama in the 2016 Asian Championship. The Japanese coach Masanori Iwamoto, since replaced by the experienced Antonio Carlos Ortega from Spain, chose to prepare for the Asian Championship in November 2015 with matches in Dunkirk and Amien. It was the right thing to do, as he prepared his group for an extended stay in France in January…
DID YOU KNOW?
In 12 appearances, Japan finished only once in the Top 10, when they were 10th in 1970… in France. Perhaps auspicious, in view of the forthcoming match in France, where the Japanese team weren’t present in 2001?
COACH: Antonio Carlos ORTEGA (Spain)
PLAYERS
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Akihito Kai 29/04/1987 Goalkeeper
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Atsushi Mekaru 03/04/1985 Centre-Back
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Daichi Komuro 28/06/1988 Pivot
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Goki Koshio 18/09/1991 Left Wing
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Hiroki Motoki 14/02/1992 Right Wing
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Hiroki Shida 24/06/1989 Left Back
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Hiroyasu Tamakawa 27/04/1995 Pivot
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Jin Watanabe 17/01/1990 Right Wing
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Kairi Kochi 22/01/1985 Right Back
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Kento Uegaki 17/10/1990 Centre Back
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Kohei Narita 15/06/1989 Left Back
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Masatake Kimura 01/05/1990 Goalkeeper
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Remi Anri Doi Feutrier 28/09/1989 Left Wing
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Shinnosuke Tokuda 06/12/1995 Right Back
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Takashi Kato 30/10/1989 Pivot
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Yuto Agarie 06/07/1993 Centre Back