This is very sad news for volleyball fans. One of Japan’s most important players in recent years has died. We could admire him in action, including at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, where the Land of the Rising Sun met, in particular, with Poland.
Sports Japan, like the entire volleyball world, plunged into mourning. An important figure of the Asian team has passed away, whom we could admire in action in recent years. Local volleyball mourns a player who represented his country at the Olympics less than two years ago.
Former Japanese volleyball player dies
The world has been informed of the death of Naonobu Fujii, a 31-year-old former Japan and Torrey Arrows quarterback. In February 2022, the former national team player announced on social media that he had been diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer. Just a few months earlier, he represented his country at the Tokyo Olympics and also married Miya Sato, a player on the women’s national team.
“I have no words for this sudden obituary. The information he has been sending since he started fighting the disease has always been filled with love for volleyball. It saddens me to think that I will never see Fuji again, who undertook such trials and tribulations while carrying the Japanese flag on his back on the field. Please rest in peace,” Japan Volleyball Association President Shunichi Kawai wrote in a statement.
Volleyball career of Naonobu Fujii
Fujii was born and raised in Miyagi. His family was hit hard by the 2011 earthquake. Despite adversity, he managed to bet on volleyball. Right out of college, he joined the Torray Arrows. He represented the club from Mishima throughout his career. In turn, since the 2016/2017 season, he has also played for the national team. With Japan, he won three medals (gold, silver and bronze) at the 2017–2021 Asian Championships. He also finished first with the best playmaker award.
Source: Wprost
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