Yuji Nishida has returned to the Japan national volleyball team as the country's most bankable weapon — and the Volleyball Nations League commentary box is running out of superlatives to describe him.
The 24-year-old opposite, who spent last season with Verona in Italy's SuperLega after a stint at Milano, has carried his club form into international duty. A recent set of highlights from Japan's wins in the VNL pool phase show Nishida drilling ace serves from both sides of the court and finishing spikes from almost impossible angles.
"He's put Nemir in the shade today," one broadcaster remarked during a pool match in which Nishida finished as top scorer.
The spike highlights have become the centrepiece of the Japan team's campaign. "Yuji Nishida has just put a dent in the court down the line. Look at this," the commentator said during a clash against Poland. "The windup that Yuji Nishida has — he really arches his back and creates so much space. And then throws everything into it at its highest possible point. He's absolutely ramrod straight in the air when he swings on the ball."
It is the serve, however, that has separated Nishida from his peers this summer. Against Iran he delivered back-to-back aces in a passage commentators described as a "demolition job."
"It's just outstanding serving, it has to be said, and Iran have got no answer to it. No answer at all. What a serve," the broadcast said. "Nishida mixes it up, goes the other side, and picks the line. Finds the line, back-to-back ace serves from Yuji Nishida."
Japan's tactical template has become predictable but devastating. Setter Masahiro Sekita funnels first-tempo plays to emerging blocker Go Murayama and diagonal sets to Nishida, who converts with both power and touch. "Nishida is up and across. Look how high he's gone. He started cross-court, he's gone back to the line here. That's a really good movement."
The praise comes from home supporters and neutral broadcasts alike. "That's why they love him in Japan. That's why they love him in the Philippines," one commentator said mid-match. Nishida's popularity in Southeast Asia became a phenomenon during Japan's 2023 VNL campaign, when his trademark celebrations went viral.
The world champion conversation is already starting. "Out of this golden generation — here he is, the setter and the server," the broadcast said. Japan are now in position to challenge for a VNL medal for the first time in the event's history, with the finals in Ningbo later this year.
If Nishida stays fit, Japan's road to an Olympic podium in 2028 runs through his left arm.