Tom Hovasse¡¯s initial reaction to the postponement of the 2020 Summer Olympics was one of disappointment. The head coach of Japan women¡¯s basketball team had felt his players were ready to ride a wave of momentum into the Tokyo Games.
That¡¯s not a feeling shared by everyone, however. Some on the team are looking forward to having more time to prepare for the world stage, while some younger talents hope the one-year delay will give them a better shot at making the 12-woman squad.
The Akatsuki Five are currently on their first training camp in nine months, practicing with a group of 21 players at Tokyo¡¯s National Training Center. But missing from the camp roster are Yuka Osaki and Asami Yoshida, two of the best players the country has seen.
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