<figure id="attachment_406085" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-406085" style="width: 2523px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="98f7f153"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/12/4caf44795b34644ae7b6cf13a5b2bc71.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-406085" class="wp-caption-text">In the final set, the team lost three consecutive points while holding match point. However, the heroic performance of captain Yuki Ishikawa impressed many people (PHOTO: JMPA representative photo)</figcaption></figure>
<h2> Men&#8217;s Volleyball August 5, Paris Olympics Quarterfinals <br>
Yuki Ishikawa (29) cries after losing a fierce match against Italy</h2>
<p> The moment Japan&#8217;s men&#8217;s volleyball team failed to make the final four for the first time in 48 years, captain Yuki Ishikawa burst into tears in public.</p>
<p> The quarterfinal match against Italy at the Paris Olympics was a rare and fierce battle. Japan took the first two sets, but was overtaken in the fifth set. Kota Yamamura, former captain of the Japanese national team, looks back on the match.</p>
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<p><span class="strongInContent"> Ishikawa had been putting pressure on himself before the tournament, saying publicly that he would win a medal without fail. I am sure there were many feelings behind his tears after the match, but I think I saw his pride as a captain in the fact that he did not look down.</span></p>
<p> Ishikawa had an outstanding performance in the quarterfinals, scoring 32 points, the most for either team.</p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> He also supported the team defensively, making more than 60 spikes. I think he was the strongest captain of the team, leading the most talented team of all time behind his back.</span></p>
<p> I am sure that he will use this frustration as a springboard to reach even greater heights.</p>
<h2> Japan national team captain Sarina Koga (28) retires with tears in her eyes <br>
Women&#8217;s Volleyball: August 3, Paris Olympics: Final Qualifying Round</h2>
<figure id="attachment_406090" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-406090" style="width: 1864px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="f9633168"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/12/bfa34199fb2923afb549392b3d065446.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-406090" class="wp-caption-text"> Sarina Koga was the captain of the Japanese women&#8217;s volleyball team at the Paris Olympics. She also supported the team as an ace at the Tokyo Olympics (PHOTO: Sankei Shimbun)</figcaption></figure>
<p> The Japanese women&#8217;s volleyball team was eliminated from the preliminary round at the Paris Olympics. Later that day, captain Sarina Koga announced her retirement.</p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> She was selected for the national team at the young age of 16, and not only played, but also took on a coaching role on the court.&#8221; She won her first silver medal at the 24th Nations League and was a major contributor to the women&#8217;s volleyball world. I am looking forward to seeing what kind of skills she will bring to the table if she decides to pursue a career as a coach.</span></p>
<p> From the January 3, 10, and 17, 2025 issue of FRIDAY</p>
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 Photographed by JMPA representative, Sankei Shimbun

 The 2024 sports scenes that brought tears to the eyes of all of Japan. Play back those dramatic moments! Paris Olympics, men's volleyball captain Yuki Ishikawa's tears and women's volleyball captain Sarina Koga's tears of joy.

2024 Great Scenes in Sports – All of Japan in Tears! Paris Olympics Volleyball: Yuki Ishikawa & Sarina Koga’s courage and tears!

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