Japan star Ran Takahashi set for Manila return

FILE–Japan men’s volletball team star Ran Takahashi during the Paris Olympics 2024.  Photo by Natalia KOLESNIKOVA / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — Japan national volleyball team star Ran Takahashi is set to visit Manila anew, this time as a brand ambassador of a local brand.

PVL team Akari Chargers on Thursday evening announced that Takahashi is coming to the country as the newest face of their brand.

The Ryujin Nippon fan-favorite has been one of the squad’s most anticipated player in their past three Volleyball Nations League stints in Manila.

READ: VNL: Ran Takahashi, Yuji Nishida praise fans’ energy in Japan’s tough win

His VNL Manila stints, though, were surrounded by injuries including his most recent last June when Takahashi needed to fly home before the tournament was over.

Takahashi and the Japanese Spikers reached the VNL Final only to settle for silver after losing to France, which also won gold in the Paris Olympics 2024.

Japan suffered a heartbreaking loss in the Paris Olympics to Italy in the quarterfinal, blowing a two-set lead.

Takahashi and his squad are expected to compete in the country’s hosting of the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship at Mall of Asia and Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The itinerary of Takahashi’s visit has yet to be released.