The 2023 Men's Volleyball Asian Championship is being held in Urmia, Iran. On Saturday, August 26th local time, the Japanese national team faced Iran in the final and won 3-0 (25-20, 25-18, 25-18). Japan has won the Asian Championship for the 10th time and the first time in three tournaments.
After the match, we asked Taishi Onodera, winner of the Best Middle Blocker Award, for his comments.
-How do you feel looking back on today's game?
Onodera: It was a completely away game, there was booing and everything else that was unfavorable to us, but I think the best thing about it was that we came together as a team and managed to grab victory.
-Looking back on your own performance throughout this tournament, what do you think?
Onodera: The accuracy of my serves was still lacking, and I couldn't score even in places where I could have blocked the serve. I think I have a lot of issues to work on, so I'm not satisfied with this result and will work hard towards the next OQT (Olympic Qualifying Tournament).
-Please say a few words about winning the Best Middle Blocker Award.
Onodera: I'm glad that I worked hard and got it. It's my first experience of this kind of thing, so I'm a little embarrassed, but I'm happy.
-After the VNL match against Iran, you took a photo with Iranian player MB Sayyed. You beat him to win the Best Middle Blocker award this time, so I think it's fair to say you also beat him.
Onodera: I don't know. I still have a lot to improve on, and I'm learning from him, so I hope to take his playing as a reference and get even better.
-Please say a few words again about the OQT.
Onodera: I think we finished this tournament in a very good way, and I think we can head into the OQT with good momentum, so I want us to come together as a team again and work towards our final goal of winning a spot (in the Olympics).
After the Asian Championship final against Iran # Futoshi Onodera Player comments!# Volleyball #Ryujin NIPPON# Best Middle Blocker pic.twitter.com/gS9iBmNs4r
— TOSHIKI (@toshikit71) August 26, 2023
Photo: Author
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