1/14 Training
On the third day of the Okinawa Itoman camp, the team continued to review build-up play at the Nishizaki Athletic Stadium.
On this day blessed with good weather, since the previous day focused mainly on practical match-style training, the practice menu centered on conditioning. At the end, teamwork was confirmed through shooting practice from free passes, concluding the third day of full team training.
In the afternoon, a meeting was held, and preparations intensified for the first practice match of this camp against Nagoya Grampus. Finally, Rikizo Tokyo will unveil its second season.
"Curious ○○ Asked to the Player"
vol.1 Leon NOZAWA
A project where we ask questions gathered from OFFICIAL MEMBERSHIP members for the 2026 season to the players, called 'Curious About the Players'. The first 'Curious About' of this season features Leon NOZAWA, who is entering his 4th professional season. We conducted a direct interview with him on intriguing questions.
*Some of the questions received may have been edited or revised for formatting reasons. Thank you for your understanding.
Q. You have an image of being positive and forward-thinking. Please tell us how to think positively about things. (Handle name: Riri)
A. I believe that what happens in soccer can only be resolved through soccer. Because the past that has happened cannot be changed, I think it is important first to consider how to recover through soccer and what I should do. By doing so, you can naturally look forward. In the past, I often dwelled on things, but since I started to accept that what happened cannot be changed, I have come to think this way.
Q. Do you have any pre-game routines? (Handle name: Tomoya)
A. I might not have any at all (bitter smile). I just listen to music. By the way, recently I've been into songs by Kaze Fujii.
Q. Is there a hairstyle or hair color you haven't tried yet but want to try? (Handle name: Kurutantan)
A. I think it's about time I settled down. When I had blue hair, I especially felt a lot of stares, so I'm thinking of calming it down soon (laughs). But I also have a feeling that I want to go back to blonde perm at some point.
Q. Is there a particular phrase someone said to you that has stayed in your heart? (Handle name: Kurutantan)
A. It’s not exactly my motto, but I have cherished the words my mother told me. She taught me, "Enjoy the moment no matter what. Otherwise, you can’t succeed at anything." This applies to soccer as well as off the pitch. To enjoy myself, I try to think about what I should do now and act accordingly. Those words have always resonated deeply in my heart.
Q. What inspired you to start the goal celebration pose? (Handle name: Ma-shi)
A. That performance came to me in a flash. It wasn't an imitation of anyone; the pose just popped into my head.
FOCUS ON - Today's Highlight -
The official photographer on the third day of the camp chose this shot for "FOCUS ON." This camp has featured many match-style training sessions from the start, and the players have increasingly taken opportunities to exchange opinions about positioning and movement during breaks. At the center of these discussions since joining has always been Takahiro KO. However, this season, Hayato INAMURA and Kento HASHIMOTO have also joined in, and the circle of discussion seems likely to expand even further from here.
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
