Japanese volleyball star Ran Takahashi believes this is what young and aspiring volleyball players should master right off the bat.
At 22 years old, Ran Takahashi is well familiar with success. He’s already played in Italy, and has been with Japan’s national team since 2021. Ran is also a two-time Olympian, and has been to three straight Volleyball Nations League tournaments with the Ryujin Nippon.
But even he had to start somewhere. Hailing from Kyoto, Ran started playing volleyball at six years old, and first made his name in Japan’s high school and collegiate leagues.
Given this, we asked Ran: what would be his top tips for young and aspiring volleyball players?
In response, Ran gave us his “most important” nugget of wisdom.
“Make your spirit, or mind higher. Always strive through, and keep your mind higher. That’s the most important thing,” Ran said during an intimate media availability with Philippine brand partner Akari.
Ran admitted facing uncertainty in his early years playing volleyball. It’s here that he learned the importance of setting higher standards, alongside welcoming adversity with open arms.
“Challenge is really important…You should challenge [yourself], and by challenging, you can make a good experience for yourself, and it’s going to make a good future,” Ran said through his translator.
The Japanese star also gave advice towards Asian teams. He noted that Asian players lack height and power as compared to players from countries like Brazil.
“Our improving point is…we need to [focus on] high quality and also the accuracy of the play and also like playing in a foreign country, these are really important for the [improvements] of the teams,” said Ran, who will return to Japan with the SV.League’s Suntory Sunbirds.
Ran previously spent three years in Italy with Pallavolo Padova and Vero Volley Monza. Ryujin Nippon captain Yuki Ishikawa is in his 10th year in Italy, while 20-year-old Masato Kai recently signed with France’s Paris Volley.
Alas Pilipinas men’s has Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo with Taiwan’s Win Streak and Japan’s Kubota Spears Osaka, respectively. Both have been playing overseas since their UAAP graduations.
Some Japan women’s national team players are also playing for Italian clubs, while Alas women’s captain Jia Morado-De Guzman was renewed by the SV.League’s Denso Airybees.
Support from Filipino fans
Ran Takahashi and the Ryujin Nippon are fan favorites during the VNL’s Philippine leg. Since 2022, they’ve played before large crowds at the Araneta Coliseum and MOA Arena.
Ran, though, is one of the more anticipated players within the team.
“I came to the Philippines because of the Philippine round three times. But I was really surprised because the supporters are supporting [me] really strongly and the stadium was shaking. I feel an emotion that I’m really supported by these fans,” the outside hitter reflected.
But Ran remains humble despite his huge fanbase. After all, growth remains the top priority for the Japanese star.
“The supporters, I’m not taking it for granted. [But] being humble, it’s really important for myself moving up. So as I’m thinking to improve myself, humility will be an important factor,” he said.
Ran and Ryujin Nippon will return to the Philippines by September 2025 for the FIVB Men’s World Championships. For now, he will be preparing for his SV.League debut in a few months’ time with Suntory.
Banner image from Volleyball World.