[On-site interview] "I restarted basketball in Korea, and I want to reach the professional level" — The special challenge of Japanese student Tamagawa Natsumi... Self-taught Korean → Shared in Dankook University's undefeated championship run

*This content was translated by AI.

"I quit basketball in Japan, but I wanted to play again in Korea."

Japanese student Tamagawa Natsumi laced up her basketball shoes again in Korea. She self-taught Korean in order to play basketball at Dankook University. At first, even basic communication with her teammates was difficult, but she has now become a full-fledged member of the team that achieved an undefeated regular season championship for Dankook University.

Dankook University, led by Head Coach Baek Ji-eun, defeated Gwangju Women's University in the final game of the 2026 KUSF College Basketball U-League women's division regular season, held on the 29th of last month at the main stadium of Cheonan Dankook University.

With this victory, Dankook University completed its first-ever regular season championship in club history with an "undefeated championship," winning all 10 games of the regular season this year.

Among the players who shared in that historic season is one with a special story: guard Tamagawa, who came from Japan.

Tamagawa started playing basketball when she was in the third grade of elementary school. She later quit basketball once in Japan, but after stepping away from the court, her desire to play again grew stronger, and she ultimately chose to take on a new challenge in Korea.

Fortunately, she secured an opportunity to continue her basketball dream at Dankook University.

Tamagawa explained why she wore the Dankook University uniform, saying, "I quit basketball in Japan but wanted to play again, so I came to Korea."

The biggest hurdle she had to overcome first to play basketball at a Korean university was language.

Tamagawa began studying Korean intensively from March this year. She said, "I studied Korean using textbooks," adding, "I studied it because I wanted to play basketball in Korea."

She also expressed satisfaction with her life in Korea. She smiled and said, "Life in Korea is so much fun. The food is delicious, and my friends are fun too."

Of course, everything did not go smoothly from the start.

Tamagawa said, "I think everyone was a bit surprised when I first said I would join the basketball team."

She continued, "At first, I really couldn't speak Korean well, so communication was difficult," reflecting that "it was truly hard at first, but gradually I started being able to converse and get along well with my teammates."

There was also a player who helped her greatly during the adaptation process: Son Ji-won of Dankook University.

Tamagawa said, "I am close with Son Ji-won. Ji-won knows a little Japanese, so she helped me a lot," adding, "We got closer by eating meals together."

She also expressed gratitude toward Head Coach Baek Ji-eun, saying, "She is kind and treats me well."

She also left a mark on the court.

Tamagawa made her debut for Dankook University against Gwangju University in June. She scored an impressive 24 points in her first game, leaving a strong impression.

Her position is guard. Tamagawa cited passing and shooting, particularly three-point shooting, as her strengths.

After overcoming the unfamiliar environment and language barriers, she shared in Dankook University's undefeated championship this season.

Tamagawa smiled brightly, saying, "I am really happy that we won the regular season without a loss."

Currently a sophomore at Dankook University, Tamagawa is still considering her future path. While there is a possibility she may return to Japan, she is also keeping open the option of playing through her senior year in Korea and graduating.

Tamagawa said, "I am still thinking about it. I don't know how far I can go here," adding, "I might stay for two more years, or I might graduate in Korea."

She now has a new goal as well. Tamagawa said, "I would like to win the playoffs too."

Looking further into the future, she is also aiming for the professional stage. She firmly stated, "If given the chance, I would like to try out for the pros."

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*This content was translated by AI.