Japanese professional volleyball athlete Rui Takahashi has publicly announced that he is gay and a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The Suntory Sunbirds Osaka outside hitter shared the news through a statement on his Instagram account.
Takahashi, who is the older brother of Japanese men's national volleyball team member Ran Takahashi, posted a detailed personal message recounting his journey with his identity.
"I've been afraid to face my own side since I was a child, and I've been troubled and denied myself.
That means I'm gay and a member of the sexual minority," said Takahashi.
Following his revelation, Takahashi emphasized his commitment to his professional athletic career and personal growth.
"I will continue to do my best in volleyball and strive for personal growth in various situations," he said.
He also expressed hope that sharing his story would encourage others who face similar difficulties with self-acceptance.
"And for those who struggle with not being able to accept themselves, I would be happy if my words could be a small trigger for them to face themselves and make a change," said Takahashi.
Concluding his statement, the volleyball player acknowledged the sudden nature of the announcement while expressing gratitude to his supporters.
"This is a sudden announcement, but thank you for reading until the end," he said.
He added, "I am truly grateful to all the fans and many others who have supported me."
