Hello!! My name is Kayo Kimizono and I am a 1^st-year student in PEARL. Earlier this week, I have officially joined the team!

By looking at my name, you may notice that I am Japanese but writing this blog in English. I am actually Japanese but I was born and raised in Shanghai, China. I studied in an international school called Shanghai Singapore International School for the majority of my life. Hence, my native languages are English and Chinese.

Sports has always been a part of my life. I started playing soccer and volleyball since the beginning of middle school and continued playing both of these sports all the way to my senior year. I loved everything about it. Working together towards the same goal, sharing every moment of happiness/sadness, crying on the court in the arms of my teammates… However, since seasons were only 3-4 months long, it was challenging to improve my skills and techniques.

Ever since my junior year in high school when I knew that I wanted to continue being a part of a team in university, I have been following traces of Keio Women Volleyball Team through this website, then to Instagram and Twitter. Seeing the friendly atmosphere through pictures online, I knew I wanted to be here. I was determined to join the team.

With all the excitement, I was terrified about the language and cultural barrier that I have. This is my first time living in Japan, first time joining an athletic team in Japan, first time having people talk to me in long Japanese sentences, first time experiencing such organized and systematic trainings, first time learning how to be a wiper and a line ref… Everything is so different from what I was used to doing. But all these “first times” intrigues me. There are so much more I have to learn and I think I am ready to embrace all of it! I hope I will be able to settle in the team as quickly as possible and at the same time improve on my volleyball techniques from my teammates and coaches!

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to really thank the team for being so friendly, welcoming and offering so much help during such a busy time with all the games going on. I also want to thank the teammates in my grade who has been so patient and teaching/explaining everything to me.