The Japan Handball Association has announced that Carlos Ortega, who previously led the Japanese national team, has been appointed as the coach for the Japanese men's handball team that will be participating in the Paris Olympics, having been absent due to the sudden resignation of his predecessor.
Japan's men's handball team placed first in the Asian qualifying rounds for the Paris Olympics held last October, making them the first team to qualify for the Olympics on their own for the first time in 36 years since 1988.
However, in February this year, Dagur Sigurdsson, who was the team's coach, suddenly resigned, making it an unusual situation for the team to be without a coach, with less than half a year left until the start of the Olympics.
The Japan Handball Association held a press conference in Tokyo on the 3rd and announced that Carlos Ortega, who led the Japan men's national team from 2016 to 2017, will be the new coach.
Mr. Ortega is 52 years old and from Spain.
He is currently the manager of a club team in Spain.
Ortega, who participated in an online press conference, expressed his enthusiasm for the Paris Olympics, saying, ``I want to continue to follow the strengthening policy I've had so far and make the most of my speed and few mistakes.My goal is to win if I do anything.'' did.
His contract period runs from the 1st of this month until the end of the Paris tournament, and he will continue to coach the Spanish club team he currently holds.
On the other hand, former coach Sigurdsson resigned as coach of the Japan national team and has now been appointed coach of the Croatian national team, which will be participating in the Paris Games.