Road to Paris is no easy feat

Japan coach Yohishiro Kubo believes that the journey to the Paralympic Games is no easy feat. It is a path riddled with challenges and obstacles that demand dedication and resilience from athletes and coaches alike.

Amidst these trials, the young coach finds value in every competition, including the 2024 WPV Final Paralympics Qualifier in Dali.

“The road it takes to get the ticket to compete in the Paralympic Games is a difficult journey,” Kubo reflected. “But this competition here in Dali is valuable because it is a way for us to gain much experience.”

Kubo believes the significance of these tournament extends beyond personal development. He sees it as a platform to elevate the profile of sitting volleyball and attract more enthusiasts to the sport.

“This is also a way for us to promote sport,” he explained. “If more people know about sitting volleyball, there will surely be more people who will play it.”

Aware of the discipline’s relatively low participation rates among athletes in his country, Kubo remains optimistic about its future. He believes that with concerted efforts to raise awareness, the tide can turn, and more individuals will be drawn to the game.

“Right now, the number of participating athletes is quite small,” he acknowledged. “But our team and our programme are designed to raise awareness of the sport so more Para athletes will be interested to join.”

His commitment to sitting volleyball runs deep, spanning nearly a decade of involvement both as team manager and coach. Over the years, he has witnessed the evolution of the Japanese team, noting significant improvements in their defensive skills.

“I have been a team manager for eight years, and as a coach for four years,” Kubo said.

“I have surely seen the team evolve. The players have much better skills in defence and passing the ball, which is the trademark of Japan in able-bodied volleyball. I am positive that with these small changes, the level of the team will progress in the near future.”