【Handball】Japan Women's National Team 'Orihime Japan' Holds First Intensive Training Camp of 2026

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With the 20th Asian Games (Aichi) approaching in September, followed by the Women's Asian Championship this winter and the Los Angeles Olympic qualifiers next year, the Japan women's national team 'Orihime Japan' held its first intensive training camp from July 7 (Tue) to July 14 (Tue) at the Ajinomoto National Training Center in Tokyo.

A total of 22 players, including the Asian Games squad announced on July 7, gathered and engaged in intense training sessions.

Taking advantage of the timing just before the official start of the new season, overseas-based players such as Namiki Ayazawa (Thüringer HC/Germany) and Sakura Kameya (CSM Slatina/Romania) joined the camp.

The camp featured a stellar lineup and was marked by active communication between overseas and domestic players, creating a positive and energetic atmosphere.

As the next team activity will be just before the Asian Games, training focused primarily on offensive and defensive drills simulating various in-game scenarios, preparing for the actual competition.

The team also worked on the 4-back system (four backcourt players) in attack, which head coach Morten Soubak aims to implement.

The players left the camp feeling fulfilled, returning to their respective clubs to continue training for the new season while further honing their skills as national team members. They will reconvene for the second domestic training camp starting September 11 before heading to the Asian Games.

The camp proved productive, centered on offensive and defensive drills

An intensive camp with active communication among players

Head Coach Morten Soubak

"It was a very good time for both the players and me. We were able to share playing ideas and new information. There are still many mistakes, so I hope the players focus on improving the accuracy of their passes once they return to their clubs. I look forward to meeting the players again in September, in a more serious environment, having grown further."

The team has begun to internalize Coach Soubak's tactics and philosophy

Captain Namiki Ayazawa: "Although our time was limited, I believe we achieved high-quality training by bringing together overseas and domestic players. Coach Soubak's tactics and philosophy are becoming more established, and this camp allowed us to align our individual goals. I'm really looking forward to playing in the Asian Games in our home country in September, with the support of many people. We aim to achieve back-to-back titles with better performance."

Captain Namiki Ayazawa led the team with excellence in both skill and spirit

Participants of the First Intensive Training Camp