"I am gay." Japanese volleyball star who found the courage to speak up: "Even if I can no longer play volleyball" — a decision that changed his life

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

"In the worst-case scenario, even if it meant I would no longer be able to play volleyball, I was prepared for that."

Takahashi Rui (26), a Japanese volleyball player who suddenly came out last September, shared how his life has changed since then.

On the 22nd, Takahashi spoke in an interview with the Japanese media outlet Asahi Shimbun about what led him to come out and his life afterward.

On the 29th of last month, Takahashi confessed on his social networking service (SNS): "Since I was young, I have been afraid to face a certain aspect of myself and have struggled with it, denying who I am. That is the fact that I am gay and one of the sexual minorities."

He said he decided to go public after spending two years on the same team as his younger brother, Takahashi Ran, who is also a national team player, sharing hardships together and having many conversations, which allowed him to accept himself.

In the interview with Asahi Shimbun, he shared more detailed stories. It had been a very difficult time for Takahashi. While it is extremely rare in Japan for an athlete to come out as a sexual minority, he decided to speak up even if it meant quitting volleyball.

He had vaguely thought things would get better once he became an adult, but that was not the case. Looking back on the past, Takahashi said, "In a sense, what helped me forget about it (my gender identity) was volleyball."

After first realizing he was attracted to men, he opened up to his younger brother, player Takahashi Ran, and gradually began coming out to people he could trust. He repeated conversations with those around him on this topic over two years, and only then did he finally come to accept himself and decide that he should go public.

However, Takahashi does not believe this choice is the only right answer. Although he was prepared to quit volleyball, his teammates and fans continued to support him without change.

He said, "Through this, I was able to turn something negative inside me into something positive. I am truly glad I went public," while adding, "I gained confidence by speaking out, but there may be those who lose confidence. I want to respect each person's choice."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original