Congrats Saori!
The captain of the 2016 Olympic team and the only Japanese volleyball player to have played in 4 consecutive Olympics was recently recognized by Yomiuri Shimbun, Japan’s largest daily newspaper, at 66th Japan Sports Awards last January 19th.
Saori was not able to attend the ceremony but released a statement:
“I’m very honoured to receive this award. I have been able to play volleyball thanks to the support of many people. Please allow me to use this opportunity to express my gratitude for this. Thank you very much. I regret that I am unable to attend the ceremony as I’m on the road with my team this weekend. I will fight hard to help my team win. Please keep cheering for me.”
In case you didn’t know, Saori will finally leave volleyball for good and focus on her personal life at the end of the season.
She is married to former volleyball player Yujiro Hidaka.