小林海咲選手の活躍が世界スカッシュ連盟のプレスリリースにて世界に発信

While Squash awaits a decision about a possible presence in the programme of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan’s leading woman player Misaki Kobayashi is making unprecedented strides in the world game.

The 25-year-old from Yokohama became her country’s highest-ranked player of all-time in 2012 and last year won a record sixth successive national title.  Kobayashi has become a popular figure on the Women’s Squash Association (WSA) World Tour since 2007 – competing in 96 events in 22 countries and already boasting seven Tour titles from 11 final appearances.

Kobayashi, who boasts a career-high world No.29 ranking, is seeded to reach her second successive WSA Tour final in New Zealand at this week’s NZ Southern Open in Invercargill – and later this month leads Japan’s team in the 10thEast Asian Championships in Taipei.

Respected Australian coach Liz Irving, the former world No.2 who has guided Malaysia’s world number one Nicol David throughout most of her career, is impressed by the Japanese star:  “It’s wonderful to see Japan produce a player of Misaki’s quality – she has shown huge commitment in her endeavours to be one of the best squash players in the world and has made real progress.

“She is undoubtedly a potential medal winner in the Asian Games and other multi sport events for Japan.

“Misaki will most definitely be in her peak squash years in 2020 – and a potential medal contender if the sport was to be included in the Olympics!”