Yuki Nagasato, World Cup Winner from Japan, signs with men's club league
Yuki Nagasato, World Cup Winner from Japan, signs with men's club league
Whether as coaches, athletes, or fans, women have continued to make their mark in the world of sports. While some may state that women’s sports are less popular to the highly advertised and socialized male sports, the number of fans for these athletes are strong. The achievements of these women that come from diverse backgrounds and lives are interconnected with their love of sports. The list is endless, but some well known athletes are Yuna Kim, Serena Williams, Billie Jean King, and Katie Ledecky.
In an article by the Citizen Tribune, it highlights the milestone of Women’s World Cup winner Yuki Nagasato. She won the 2011 World Cup with Japan and recently signed with the Japanese men’s club soccer team Hayabusa Eleven. Nagasato stated that she wants "to get the message out to the girls who are playing soccer with the boys that women can join the men’s team and challenge themselves,” empowering girls worldwide.
She admits that she is uncertain how well she will perform on the men’s team but strives to do her best and learn from this experience on the team. She wants to set an example to other girls and fellow athletes to challenge themselves and to not feel limited. Nagasato also noted that she was influenced by another female athlete, Megan Rapinoe. Women inspire other women and show them someone to look up to. This inspiring message and remarkable milestone for Nagasato will show other girls to not let gender norms limit you in pursuing what you want. I will leave you with this quote from USA Today, beautifully stated by the former CEO of the Women’s Sports Foundation: “… (Because) it wasn’t about sports. It was about everything that was required to access and wield power.”
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