Japan’s rugby sevens national teams are looking ahead to next year’s Tokyo Olympics with mixed feelings.

Now that the sporting extravaganza has been postponed due to the spread of new coronavirus infections, all training sessions for both the men’s and women’s national teams have been suspended.

The 34-year-old candidate for the national team, Yusaku Kuwazuru said, “It felt like going back to square one after the goal had just been right in front of me.” He continued, saying, “Because of my age, I have no idea what kind of physical condition I will be in after a year. I can’t make sense of it all.”

Kuwazuru is struggling to determine how to reach his goal that is now a year away.

Last year, the Japan team was relegated from the core teams eligible to compete in the World Rugby Sevens Series. Kuwazuru was frustrated with Japan having lost the opportunity to further strengthen its team, but also became motivated, feeling that he could still play in the national team. Japan becoming the host the next Olympics was also a boost of encouragement for him, and he decided to apply for the national team and returned to the squad last summer.

Rugby players are currently training at home, they watch match videos every day as image training on movement patterns and to deepen thier understanding rugby sevens tactics.