Rui Takahashi (高橋塁) of Suntory’s men’s SV.League team in Japan has publicly revealed his LGBTQ+ identity.
On 9월 29일, he posted on social media that he is gay and LGBTQ+.
What is central to this disclosure is not a third party’s interpretation, but his own words and his intention to continue playing volleyball.
3-Line Summary
1. Rui Takahashi revealed his identity
2. He stated it directly in a social media post on 9월 29일
3. The disclosure should be read in his own words
Long-Standing Concerns He Wrote About on Social Media and Why He Came Forward
Rui Takahashi wrote that, since childhood, he had been afraid to face one aspect of himself, and that he had struggled with it while denying himself. The subject he disclosed is his sexual orientation. Rui Takahashi directly expressed that he is gay and one of the LGBTQ+ community.
This post was not an announcement conveyed on his behalf by people around him, but a disclosure posted by the athlete himself on social media. For that reason, it is necessary to focus on why he came to write this post rather than on speculation or evaluations surrounding his identity. He explained that expressing his feelings in words allowed him to organize his thoughts and gradually accept himself as he is.
2 Years Spent on the Same Team with His Younger Brother, Ran Takahashi
Rui Takahashi said that the approximately 2 years he spent on the same team with his younger brother, Ran Takahashi, who has been described as a key player for Japan’s national team, had great significance for him. The two players played together at Suntory through last season.
He wrote that a conversation with his younger brother gave him the opportunity to acknowledge himself for the first time. He also expressed his gratitude to his family, team teammates, team staff, and other people involved for supporting him. This was not a definitive statement about the reactions of those around him, but an explanation Rui Takahashi gave while reflecting on his own experience.
Rui Takahashi attended Kyoto Higashiyama High School before enrolling at Nihon University, and it was reported that during his third year of university, he helped the team finish third at the All-Japan University Championship for the first time in 45 years. He currently plays volleyball for Suntory.
The Player’s Message That He Will Continue Playing Volleyball
Rui Takahashi said that, as he entered the new season, he wanted to share this with fans in his own words. He said his intention to continue working hard at volleyball and striving for his own growth in various settings has not changed.
He also left a message expressing the hope that his disclosure could serve as a small starting point for people struggling because they cannot accept themselves. Rather than a declaration that explains everyone else’s experiences, these words represent the position of one volleyball player who spoke about his identity in his own language after years of reflection.
He said the news might have come suddenly, thanked fans for their support, and concluded his post by saying that he would continue to grow through volleyball. The changes confirmed in this news are the fact that Rui Takahashi disclosed his identity and his own intention to continue his athletic career.
References
Tags #RuiTakahashi #高橋塁 #JapaneseVolleyball #Men’sVolleyball #SV.League #Suntory #SuntorySunbirds #RanTakahashi #高橋藍 #LGBTQ #VolleyballPlayer #JapaneseSports