Ayano Nakaoji of Hisamitsu Valley retires for the second time "I thought it was time to leave the team"

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Uniform number 24 Kojima Ayano (maiden name: Nakaoji Ayano)
Date of birth: July 24, 1991 Birthplace: Kyoto Prefecture Alma mater: National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya

Former volleyball representative Kotoki Zayasu retires and talks about ale to the representative who "needs the strength to throw it away even if it hurts"


――Please tell us your honest feelings now that you have finished your retirement ceremony.

Kojima:(From 2017 to 2019, due to reasons such as childbirth) I left the team once in the form of "retirement", so this will be my second "retirement". 

In that respect, there are some complicated parts, but I still feel lonely leaving the members who fought together.


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――Please tell us when and why you decided to retire.

Kojima: I don't have a specific time frame, but when I returned to active duty, my role was to "play when something happened to the team," rather than to keep raising the toss as a main player.

After all, new setters came in, and when I saw the team changing to the next generation, I felt, "Is it time for me to leave the team?"

――Please tell us about the game that left the most memories and impressions in your playing days.

  Kojima:There are so many, it's hard to narrow down to one, but this is my second season in Japan. The scene in which they achieved victory in a come-from-behind victory at the end is very impressive. (2015/16 season V Premier League match against Hitachi Rivale)

Also, for the first three years, I was able to participate in the World Club Championship, and I remember the matches between various clubs in this tournament.


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――What does the sport of volleyball and the Hisamitsu Springs team mean to you?  

Kojima:Springs is a team that is determined to win, so I have the impression that they didn't compromise during practice. While there are some difficulties in building a team as the members change, I think it is an interesting team with a lot of individuality and individuality while being flexible.

What I felt when I was away from volleyball is that there are many people who say, "I used to play volleyball," but there are still few fans who come to watch V.League matches.

Nowadays, various sports have become professional, and there are more opportunities to communicate through the media and SNS. I think it's good.


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――Did you have any words from your family when you retired? I think that there are still few cases of returning to the athlete while raising children, but did you have any difficulties?

Kojima:The child didn't know yet, but his family said, "Thank you for your hard work."

(After returning to active duty) It was difficult to make time for myself, and there were some tough parts. But when I stepped out of the gym and went home, I had time to relax with my child, and I was able to switch on and off. In that respect, there is a part that feels "good".


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――How will you be active in the future?

Kojima:We haven't decided what we're going to do, but from Saga Prefecture, where the team is based, we'd like to send out something and get excited.

Thank you so much for all your support. In the end, we weren't able to meet in person, but everyone's encouragement was our strength.


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【Related Links】
"Hisamitsu Springs 2020-21 Last Match!~ "Thank you" that I wanted to deliver here ~ "
Date: April 29 (Thursday) 14:15 Match start (2 sets regardless of victory or defeat)
delivery:Hisamitsu Springs YouTube Channel

Former volleyball representative Kotoki Zayasu retires and talks about ale to the representative who "needs the strength to throw it away even if it hurts"