Brazilian volleyball player Nalbert Bittencourt has blamed "the poor physical preparation" he had at a Japanese club for a series of recent injures, a local sports daily reported Tuesday.
The Lance said Bittencourt, a Brazilian international who played for Osaka-based club Panasonic for four months in 2001, has been suffering from injuries to his left shoulder, neck, back and knee since March.
"(The Japanese) are professionals, but the problem is the (physical) preparation, which is not ideal," the daily quoted the 27-year-old Bittencourt as saying.
Bittencourt, however, expects his injures will not affect his performance at the upcoming world championships in Argentina.
Brazil will play Venezuela, Egypt and the United States in first-round group E. Japan has been drawn against Kazakstan, Spain and Yugoslavia in group D at the Sept. 28-Oct. 13 championships.