Aguascalientes, Mexico, July 20, 2019 - Setter Tsukasa Nakagawa is the decision maker in Japan’s line-up, playing a key part in Japan’s unbeaten record entering the final four of the FIVB Volleyball Women’s U20 World Championship in Aguascalientes, Mexico.
Almost nineteen, Tsukasa Nakagawa is the top ranked setter (up to now) at the Women’s U20 World Championship. Tsukasa started to play volleyball at the age of nine years playing in elementary and junior high school tournaments.
“I have always played as a setter, I am the one that takes decisions during our games, something I am used to do with great responsibility,” said Tsukasa.
Japan's setter Tsukasa Nakagawa celebrates during WU20 World Championship in Aguascalientes
When asked about her role here at the Women’s U20 World Championship she responded: “I pay attention to our opponents´ moves more than I do to my side of the court. I want to read their next move and I keep encouraging my teammates where to stand, attack and how to come to a successful end for Japan.”
Currently she studies at Tokai University in Tokyo, where she studies Sports Management. “I want to continue to be involved in sports, if possible making a career in volleyball which is my passion,” she adds.
Not only is she part of Japan’s national team, but she also plays for Tokai University competing in their national university league back home.
Japan's Tsukasa Nakagawa sets with one hand at the WU20 World Championship in Aguascalientes
Tsukasa Nakagawa’s immediate goal is winning the gold medal for Japan, “First I am focused on winning our semifinal match to Russia and hopefully I can contribute in winning the Women’s U20 World Championship title for Japan.”
After being part of Japan´s youth national team and now part of the junior team, she says she would like to be considered to play for the senior team as well. “In other future plans, it would humble me to continue representing Japan.”
Japan will face Russia in the semifinals and will hope to reach the gold medal match and improve on their bronze medal at the last edition of the tournament in 2017 in Cordoba, Mexico.