<figure id="attachment_287740" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1889px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-287740"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="cd61ba9d"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2023/01/fc9c26e24c6842ad8f77b7a6ea416cc8.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-287740" class="wp-caption-text">His most powerful weapon is his kick, which has a flying distance of over 60 meters. He is highly trusted by his teammates, and was appointed vice captain this summer.</figcaption></figure>
<p><strong> Until now, I have been playing with the sole intention of making the national team. But after playing through the &#8217;22 season, I began to think about what I can do for my fellow players on the premise that I want to be a member of the national team.</strong></p>
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<p>So says Lee Seung-shin (21), a standoff member of the Japanese national rugby team. In his second year as a professional player in 2022, he made his only full season appearance for his team, the Kobelco Kobe Steelers, using his calm judgment and kicking accuracy.</p>
<p><strong> He said, &#8220;What gave me confidence was the training match against New Zealand at the end of October. Against the world&#8217;s top team, I led the Japanese attack as a leader and scored four goals in kicking. In the end, we lost 31-38, but I was able to get a good response that my weapons could be used in the world as well.&#8221;</strong></p>
<p>Behind his great breakthrough was a major setback he experienced in the COVID-19 crisis. In 2020, he decided to drop out of college and go abroad to train as a warrior. However, travel restrictions put a halt on his plans, and he was unable to return to the university and lost his place to practice. For a time, he trained alone on the playground equipment at a nearby park.</p>
<p><strong>&#8220;I thought about quitting rugby,&#8221; he said. But I didn&#8217;t give up and kept practicing, and my former coach from elementary school and my current friends reached out to me. I want to fulfill my duty for those who supported me.</strong></p>
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<p>The World Cup in France is coming up in September 2023. The team is ready for the long-desired top four finish.</p>
<p><strong> I am ready to take on the responsibility of playing the No. 10 role for Japan. I will challenge the World Cup with the strong feeling that I will make the team win.</strong></p>
<p>The young leader will lead Japan to a great achievement.</p>
<figure id="attachment_287741" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1667px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-287741"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="5cf0426e"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2023/01/DSC5662.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-287741" class="wp-caption-text">Japan&#8217;s national rugby team player, Seung-Shin Lee: &#8220;I am ready to carry Japan&#8217;s No. 10 on my shoulders.&#8221;</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_287742" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-287742"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="88917c53"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2023/01/DSC5665.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-287742" class="wp-caption-text">Unpublished photograph of Seung-Shin Lee, Japan&#8217;s national rugby team: &#8220;I am ready to carry the No. 10 for Japan.&#8221;</figcaption></figure>
<div class="wp-block-custom-gutenberg-editor-paywall">From the January 6 and 13, 2022 issues of FRIDAY</div>


 Haruki Shimokoshi

 Until now, I have been playing with the sole intention of "wanting to be" a member of the national team. But after playing through the 2010 season, I started to think about what I can do for my teammates based on the premise that I want to be a member of the national team.

Seung-Shin Lee of the Japan National Rugby Team: “I am ready to carry Japan’s No. 10 on my back”

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