While envisioning the vision after returning,
"Patiently without rushing"
DF 50 Renta HIGASHI
Special content introducing the all-blue-red warriors who will challenge the 2024 season. What are the players, who are facing the opening, thinking and what kind of determination are they approaching the year with? The players' stories, hidden in their love for the club, their desire for the title, their thoughts for success, and the roles they must fulfill──. Renta HIGASHI is spending his days in rehabilitation. In the 2023 season, his long-awaited professional debut, official game debut, and experience on a loan seemed to be going smoothly, but his career took a sudden turn due to an unexpected injury. He is forced to endure a situation where he cannot even jog before the opening. However, we will convey his thoughts as he continues to look forward, aiming for his return.
Despite finally achieving my dream of becoming a professional, I am unable to run now. Not being able to kick the ball is a cruel story for a teenage soccer player.
"Not being able to kick the ball is really tough. But I think when you start to realize that things you thought were normal aren't actually normal, it becomes easier to accept."
In Tokyo, where he spent the first half of last season as a professional, he only played in the Emperor's Cup 2nd Round match against Fukushima United FC. However, he said, "I felt the gratitude of being able to play in that one match and the difference in growth. That's why I decided to transfer," and he sought a place to shine in the J3 League's SC Sagamihara through a developmental deadline transfer.
At the new club, he had started in the first three games and had a good start. However, after suffering a right knee medial collateral ligament injury that required 6 weeks of recovery, he was then diagnosed with a left knee anterior cruciate ligament rupture and left knee lateral support structure damage, which would take approximately 10 months to heal.
"(In Sagamihara) I was able to play in the game and felt the momentum. I was quite depressed and was very discouraged. The post-operative hospital life also had a big impact on my mental state. But as time passed, I was able to switch my feelings. Now I am trying to look at things positively. The biggest support for me was that my same-aged teammate, Yoshiki NARAHARA (Sagan Tosu), also suffered the same injury at the same time, and we were able to encourage each other and say "Let's do our best together"."
I'm still not allowed to jog. However, I will hold back my sighs and try to relearn soccer once again. "Raising my soccer IQ and facing things that I can only do now" is what I am focusing on to level up off the pitch. While working on building my body through muscle training and avoiding injuries, "imagining my vision after my return" is my greatest source of motivation.
"The best thing is to return during this season and be involved in games. Even if that is not possible, I want to be able to face the next season in the best condition. I am still in a situation where I cannot even jog, but I am currently working on regaining strength in my upper and lower body. I am trying to stay positive by focusing on the fact that I am able to do more and more little by little."
A player who is good at jumping into the pocket. He has been loved by many seniors. The lovely defender burns his chest on the rolling ball. The purity of that will surely lift up the joy when he returns. Now, he is telling himself "Don't rush and take your time."
text by Yohhei Baba (Freelance Writer)
