Ran Takahashi says overseas stint one of keys to growth as player

Japanese star Ran Takahashi is in Manila for a meet and greet with Filipino fans. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — For Ran Takahashi, the key to a player’s success is always setting a higher goal and challenging yourself.

Asked about what advice he can give to aspiring Filipino volleyball players and the country’s current athletes, the two-time Olympian of the Japanese national volleyball team believes it’s all about setting a higher standard and gaining experience from challenges.

“Experience is really important. For the Japanese [national team] and playing in Italy, I’ve learned many things that strengthen me,” said Takahashi in an intimate press conference with his local brand Akari on Friday in Pasay City. 

READ: Ran Takahashi overwhelmed by PH fans’ ‘amazing’ support

“There’s no any [particular step] like what [kind of] player [I want to be] and I want to become like that. It’s about having new experiences and trying other things, working in foreign countries and Japan.”

The 22-year-old outside spiker has been representing his country on the Asian and World stage. He saw action in the Tokyo Games three years ago and recently competed in the Paris Olympics, where Japan suffered a heartbreaking loss to Italy in the quarterfinal where it blew a two-set lead.

Ran Takahashi reacts during the men’s preliminary round volleyball match between Japan and Argentina during the Paris Olympics. (Photo by Natalia KOLESNIKOVA / AFP)

Takahashi has also been playing in the Volleyball Nations League, played in the Manila leg for three consecutive years, and recently helped the Japanese reach the final this year only to settle for silver after losing to France.

READ: Japan volleyball star Ran Takahashi arrives in Manila

“I started playing volleyball at six years old. I didn’t know what’s the future for me. But if you set a higher goal, it will be really good. And challenging is really important, you should challenge [yourself]. If you challenge, you can make experiences yourself and it’s gonna make a good future for yourself,” Takahashi said.

The 6-foot-2 outside spiker, a former Italian league mainstay from Vero Volley Monza, said playing overseas is key to improving skills.

“As a common weak point in Asian countries, Asian teams, it’s like the height and the power. And considering other countries like Brazil, we are still lower,” Takahashi, who is set to play for the Suntory Sunbirds in the Japan SV.League, said.

“Our improving point is that we need to do high quality, and also the accuracy of the play. Also by playing in a foreign country’s league, it’s going to grow [from] here. These are really important for improving the strength of the team.”

Ran Takahashi: [Always] set a higher goal and challenge yourself. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/6lEoKCITOE

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) August 23, 2024

The Philippine men’s volleyball team has two overseas players Bryan Bagunas, who led WinStreak to back-to-back titles in Taiwan, while Marck Espejo is returning to Japan for the third time with Kubota Spears in the V.League months after winning a championship in South Korea.

The women’s division only has Jia De Guzman as the lone Asian import in the SV.League after renewing with the Denso AiryBees. Jaja Santiago, who has been in Japan since 2018, is already a Japanese citizen and set to switch volleyball federations.

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