Athletic Perspective: Pondering Over My Opportunities (Athlete Tales)

Naho Miyoshi, a 26-year-old member of Toyota Motor Corporation's women's basketball team, the Antelopes, has been making waves in the world of basketball. Born and raised in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture, Naho's love for the sport began in elementary school.

Her approach to captaincy is one of open communication and maintaining a positive mental attitude. This strategy, coupled with her dedication, earned her the court name "Sun" in her first year of her working life.

However, her journey hasn't been without challenges. At just 23 years old, becoming captain put a lot of pressure on Naho. The intense competition for positions led to pressure, and she didn't make the final selection for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018.

Despite these setbacks, Naho continued to watch all the team's training sessions and matches from the sidelines during her injury recovery. Her resilience was tested again when she suffered a major injury to the anterior cruciate ligament during a practice session when she was an elementary school sixth grader. This injury made it difficult for Naho to support her knee and she was unable to play for a whole year.

Two years ago, Naho transferred to the Antelopes, before which she was with another W League team. The team mascot of the Antelopes is "Antenowa." The Antelopes' home base is the Aoi Gym in Nagoya City.

Naho's dream at the moment is to play at Tokyo 2020. This dream was reignited when she was once again selected as a candidate for the national team for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 after her move to the Antelopes. The last tournament Naho Miyoshi participated in since her transfer to the Antelopes was the 2024 Women's Basketball Asia Cup.

In addition to her playing career, Naho gives basketball coaching classes to children to spread the joys of basketball. She sees basketball as one experience along the way and may follow a completely different path after retirement.

Naho is grateful to the people around her and the game of basketball for the opportunities it has given her. Her journey serves as an inspiration to many, a testament to the power of perseverance and teamwork in the face of adversity.