Graduation from a period of struggle
Aiming for the peak between calmness and passion
DF 4 Yasuki KIMOTO
A special content introducing all the blue and red warriors challenging the 2024 season. What are the players, who are about to start the season, thinking and what determination do they have as they face the year? The stories of the players, who hold in their hearts their love for the club, their thirst for titles, their aspirations for success, and the roles they must fulfill──. After experiencing the frustrations and struggles of last season, Yasuki KIMOTO has gained a new perspective. While reflecting on his current position, he passionately ignites his fighting spirit to reclaim his position and win titles. His performance, displayed between calmness and passion, is a must-see.
The quiet man's words flow smoothly. Unlike last season, which was filled with worries, he now wears a refreshed expression and speaks with enthusiasm. Yasuki KIMOTO carries both calmness and passion as he prepares for the start of the 2024 season.
In the 2022 season, which was his first season with the team, he firmly secured a regular spot from the opening match and maintained his position as a center-back throughout the season. However, in the last season, where further progress was expected, he continued to play in the first half of the season, including starting in the opening match, but his situation changed drastically in the second half. He lost his position due to a slow adaptation to the style demanded by coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI, leading to a period of struggle.
However, without seeking reasons or causes from those around, I faced myself to derive solutions, and by the end of the season, I underwent a significant transformation. I gained a new perspective.
"Last season, nothing went well, and I fell apart. However, towards the end, I had a change of mindset, thinking, 'It's okay if things don't go well.' This, in turn, led me in a positive direction. I believe my demeanor has changed through this approach, and I feel really refreshed mentally. Anyway, I want to give it my all this season. I truly think it's a battle with myself on the mental side."
The words of a man who has shed his skin naturally carry passion.
"As I have entered the realm of veterans, I have come to understand that there are good seasons and bad seasons. Whether I am playing or not, I want to do my utmost for the team to win, and I believe our generation needs to be more aware of that. Above all, I strongly want to win in Tokyo and capture a title, so I want to focus on that."
Possessing strength and height, he can serve as a starting point for build-up play with accurate feeds and sharp vertical passes. There is no doubt about his abilities as a center-back. To secure a regular spot and rise to become a key defensive player, Yas fights with raw emotion.
Text by Daisuke Suga (El Golasso)
