"Does a 178cm model look solve everything?" Japanese volleyball goddess wounded by indiscriminate cyberbullying... AG Kim expresses frustration, saying "There are too many words that hurt more than necessary" [Aichi Nagoya AG]

*This content was translated by AI.

Yoshino Sato (25, Vero Volley Milano) of the Japanese women's national volleyball team concluded her season schedule and shared her experience of suffering from excessive cyberbullying alongside messages of gratitude to fans. This confession comes after controversies over the team's conduct following their failure to win gold at the recent Asian Games escalated into indiscriminate defamation.

Japanese outlet "D-Answer" reported on the 24th that "Sato expressed gratitude to her fans via her social media (SNS) while also sharing her feelings about the criticism and cyberbullying directed at national team players."

Earlier, the Japanese national team lost 0-3 to China in the final of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games held on the 22nd. After failing to win their first gold medal in 48 years on home soil, local Japanese fans harshly criticized not only the players' performance but also external aspects such as makeup, hairstyles, and accessories.

Controversy intensified when images surfaced of a player applying lipstick just before the semi-final against South Korea, and footage showed players smiling and hugging Haifa after the defeat.

Sato, who served as Japan's primary scorer during this season's tight schedule, stated on Instagram: "It was a period filled with regret and many challenges, but thanks to my teammates and staff, I was able to move forward and fight." She added, "I am not satisfied with myself at all and will definitely return after growing."

Sato's desire for such "growth" is also evident in her recent moves. Despite winning the SV League regular season MVP last season, she left her beloved original team, NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki, and chose to join Vero Volley Milano in Italy.

She continues to refine her skills through relentless attempts at powerful serves utilizing her physique, back attacks that leverage her vision, and precise controls that target open courts against tall blockers.

In particular, her explosive abilities stemming from her 178cm height and stunning model-like beauty have even captured the attention of Korean volleyball fans. Starting with this year's Asian Championship and Asian Games, she has become a hot topic in domestic online communities, rapidly gaining popularity as a "new volleyball goddess."

However, despite possessing both talent and star power, Sato could not escape cyberbullying amidst the harsh criticism. While stating that she is seriously accepting various opinions including constructive criticism, she confessed, "Among them, I received many messages that denied my existence or caused unnecessary pain."

Finally, Sato expressed gratitude to fans who visited the venue. She said, "I gained great strength thanks to fans cheering loudly at the Asian Games stadium," and added, "I will continue to strive for growth, so please keep supporting me."

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*This content was translated by AI.