Watanabe committed to win with Akatsuki Japan at World Cup

TOKYO (Japan) - There is no question about Yuta Watanabe's unwavering passion for playing for Akatsuki Japan.

"If we end up losing again, I will take off my national team uniform. That's how much I'm putting into this World Cup."

He has been a member of  the senior national team for a decade. In the past four years, he has played in the World Cup, Tokyo Olympics, and Asia Cup, and has been a pillar of Akatsuki Japan every time he has stepped on the court. And he is proud of that.

"Carrying the Hinomaru (Japanese flag motif)  is a responsibility, and one that cannot be taken lightly." said Watanabe at a basketball clinic he hosted himself in Tokyo, as per Basket Count.

The 28-year-old forward has also put those words to action, clearly standing out as one of the best players for Japan, averaging 16.0 points and 7.1 rebounds per game in those three major FIBA competitions mentioned.

However, the results have been a tough pill to swallow for the ambitious 2.06M (6'9") forward who recently signed to play for the Phoenix Suns in the NBA this upcoming season. At World Cup 2019 in China, Japan suffered 5 straight losses. At the Tokyo Olympics, they suffered three straight losses to Spain, Slovenia, and Argentina.

This has obviously left a bitter taste in the mouth for Watanabe, strengthening his determination for results this summer.

"As a leader, I find myself in a position to lead the team to victory, but in major international competitions, we have suffered five consecutive defeats in the previous World Cup and three consecutive defeats in the Tokyo Olympics. As a key player, I believe I must fulfill my responsibilities there."

He is willing to put everything on the line in order to see the national team succeed, as he has always done so in the past.

"No one, neither the players nor the spectators, wants to see us lose. If we end up with a string of defeats this time as well, I'm ready to take off the national team's uniform, " Watanabe strongly expressed at the clinic. "That's how much I am committed to this World Cup."

Watanabe how quickly windows of opportunity can open and close in the world of basketball. His bold statement is less of a sign of retreat, but rather than an acknowledgment of the generational development of the national team program.

"It's no use having players who can't win staying at the top indefinitely. If that's the case, it's better to quickly go through the generational change since there are many talented young players.

I carry the flag of Hinomaru with me with such a feeling that if I can't take my current team to the Paris Olympics, I'm no longer qualified to be a national team player."

It is a display of strong resolve from Watanabe for this upcoming World Cup campaign, which will be needed as Akatsuki Japan have a tough path ahead. Japan will be playing at home in Okinawa for the Group Phase and were drawn into one of the more tightly contested groups in Group E with Germany, Australia, and Finland.

Japan can make it to the Paris Olympics as Watanabe has targeted if they end up as the best team in Asia based on the final classification. While there will also be later chances to qualify for Paris 2024 through the Olympic Qualifying Tournaments, it would certainly be ideal to claim that spot here and now at the World Cup which will be played from 25 August - 10 September.

FIBA