Interview | I hope extra Japanese gamers take part within the HIL, says Koji Yamasaki

Ahead Koji Yamasaki is the lone Japanese participant within the 2024-25 Hockey India League (HIL).

In reality, Yamasaki, a member of the Delhi SG Pipers, is the one overseas participant from an Asian nation to characteristic within the HIL’s newest version.

Yamasaki was a member of the 2018 Asian Video games gold-medal-winning Japanese crew in Jakarta. India, one of many favourites to win the title, misplaced to Malaysia within the semifinals to complete with a bronze medal and miss out on an opportunity to qualify immediately for the Tokyo Olympics.

Whereas the 28-year-old visited India earlier to play for his nationwide aspect, he didn’t have the chance to know the nation effectively. As he will get used to his multi-national HIL aspect and spends high quality time with the Indian gamers in a relatively relaxed environment, he has developed a liking for the nation and the league.

Yamasaki sat down with The Hindu to discuss his profession, his expertise within the HIL, and extra. Excerpts:

That is your first publicity to the HIL. How has your expertise been to this point?

The HIL is massive and incredible, it’s enjoyable with lots of people. It has been a great expertise for me. I actually prefer it. I need to play right here once more.

How are you getting together with the Indian gamers within the Delhi crew?

Yeah, I’ve [made] associates, resembling Sumit (Kumar), Rajkumar (Pal) and Iktidar (Ishrat). They’re very variety.

In 2018, you received the Asian Video games gold medal with the Japanese crew. Later, in 2021, you took half in your house Olympics in Tokyo. How do you look again on these two occasions?

At the moment, hockey was doing effectively in Japan. We improved our assault and defence to achieve a great degree. We received the 2018 Asian Video games. We performed within the Tokyo Olympics. India’s Varun (Kumar) and Harman(preet) additionally performed within the Tokyo Olympics. I’m actually glad enjoying with them right here.

I actually loved competing within the Olympics at house and I had a great expertise. There was no one to look at (the matches from the stands as a consequence of COVID-19). My members of the family watched the matches on TV.

What are your favorite moments in your profession to this point?

The 2020 Olympic Video games and the 2018 Asian Video games are my favorite moments [so far]. I additionally preferred enjoying Bundesliga hockey.

Why is it that you’re the one participant from Japan to be enjoying within the HIL this season? Is there every other Japanese participant who needs to play within the league?

I’m right here as a result of I used to be chosen, and I’m fortunate. I feel eight gamers from our nation had been within the public sale. The others (from Japan) additionally need to play within the HIL. I hope extra Japanese gamers take part within the HIL sooner or later.

What number of gamers out of your nation play in leagues overseas?

At current two different gamers from Japan participate in overseas leagues. One is (Kentaro) Fukuda, who’s enjoying in Spain. And (Kaito) Tanaka is enjoying in Australia. I performed for UHC Hamburg in Germany final season. I used to be there for 2 years, from 2022 to 2024. I performed for six months in Japan and 6 months in Europe. Now I’m right here. I need to play in Europe once more.

Are you able to inform us concerning the hockey league again in Japan?

I’m presently enjoying [in the] Hockey Japan League, nevertheless it bought over (in November 2024). Solely Japanese gamers play there as a result of they don’t find the money for (to supply to the foreigners). Hockey isn’t a very fashionable sport in Japan like soccer or baseball. Swimming, judo, and wrestling are additionally widespread in our nation.

Why has the extent of Japanese hockey gone down of late?

The hockey crew misplaced the sponsor. It doesn’t find the money for. So we are able to’t do a camp. That’s why we’re down.

How is the usual of girls’s hockey in Japan?

They’re additionally down and I feel the reason being the identical.

What do you do for a dwelling?

I’m knowledgeable participant, so I simply play hockey. I’m 28 years outdated now and I need to play, hopefully, for an additional 10 years.

How did you come into hockey?

I additionally did swimming, baseball, and observe and subject (throughout my childhood). However I preferred hockey probably the most. My elder brother performed hockey on the college degree, however he’s retired 1736794591. He is only one 12 months older than me and we started enjoying hockey collectively.

What number of occasions have you ever been to India earlier than?

That is my fourth go to. I performed within the World Cup right here in Rourkela (in 2023) and the FIH Sequence Finals in Bhubaneswar (in 2019). I additionally performed within the Junior World Cup in Lucknow (in 2016). Harmanpreet (Singh) was there, each of us are of the identical age.

Do you face any language points right here?

Yeah, it’s troublesome for me, however I can communicate some primary English. I’ve began studying English and a few Hindi after coming right here.

What have you ever discovered in Hindi within the quick time you have got spent right here?

Mera naam Koji (My identify is Koji), mera desh Japan (my nation is Japan), thik hai (alright), jaldi jaldi (rapidly).