Kansai University’s Defensive Leader Forged From High School Grit, Team Loyalty
KOBE, JAPAN – Kansai University defensive back Satoshi Tashiro, a key player in today’s game against Kansai university, wasn’t always destined for collegiate football success. His journey began wiht a commitment to Ichinishi High School teammates, a dedication that nearly ended after a tough loss in his final year of high school, and ultimately propelled him to become a defensive cornerstone for one of Japan’s top university programs.
Of the eleven players who comprised Tashiro’s Ichinishi football team, he is the sole member continuing the sport at the university level. Despite attempts to rally his former teammates to attend his games, none have yet, with Tashiro acknowledging their focus on their individual university pursuits.Though, he specifically expressed a desire for former teachers, mr. Kasumori and Mr. Murakami, to witness his progress, stating, “I feel like it’s the last time, and I’m really grateful to these two teachers, so I want them to see how they’ve grown.”
Teammate Takeo, reflecting on Tashiro’s early potential, recalled recognizing something special when Tashiro joined Kansai University. “When I entered the school, I found out that he was Ichinishi’s QB from that generation, and I thought from the beginning that he had something hidden,” Takeo said. “When we started playing football together, he was able to clearly express his opinions and was well-liked by everyone, including his seniors, classmates, and juniors. His position was like a control tower for kandai’s defence, and he is always calm and has a football IQ that allows him to adapt to any situation. I really think that if it wasn’t for Tashiro, he wouldn’t have been able to defend as well as he did.”
Tashiro’s commitment to the sport was once in question. Following a first-round loss in the Kansai tournament during his senior year at Ichinishi, he confided in a reporter that he ”might not play football anymore.” Encouraged to continue, Tashiro ultimately joined Kansai University as a rookie, a decision the reporter greeted with relief, observing his “climb the stairs little by little” to become a vital component of the team’s defense. He recently shared a photo request with the reporter, asking for a picture featuring his favorite classmates, highlighting the enduring importance of his relationships.
