Tom Hovasse’s initial reaction to the postponement of the 2020 Summer Olympics was one of disappointment. The head coach of Japan women’s basketball team had felt his players were ready to ride a wave of momentum into the Tokyo Games.
That’s not a feeling shared by everyone, however. Some on the team are looking forward to having more time to prepare for the world stage, while some younger talents hope the one-year delay will give them a better shot at making the 12-woman squad.
The Akatsuki Five are currently on their first training camp in nine months, practicing with a group of 21 players at Tokyo’s National Training Center. But missing from the camp roster are Yuka Osaki and Asami Yoshida, two of the best players the country has seen.