Homare Sawa discusses lasting athletic habits on Japanese television

Former Japan women's national football team captain and Hall of Fame inductee Homare Sawa shared insights into her athletic mindset during an appearance on the Nippon TV variety program ‘Ueda to Onna ga Hoeru Yoru’.

Sawa discussed how her years of professional football have left lasting habits, such as maintaining high situational awareness. She noted that even in social settings like dining out, she remains observant of her surroundings and the needs of others. She also revealed that hearing the national anthem still triggers a ‘combat mode’ instinct, recounting an instance where she was the only one moved to tears during her child's school entrance ceremony.

Regarding parenting, Sawa stated that she maintains a competitive spirit and avoids intentionally losing to her child during games or physical activities. Former teammate Karina Maruyama also participated in the discussion, sharing how certain physical habits from her playing days persist in her daily life.