On Monday, November 25, Kana Urata (Class of 2021, College of Policy Science) of the Coca-Cola Red Sparks, who competed in the Paris Olympics as a member of Sakura Japan, the Japanese women's field hockey team, paid a visit to Suzaku Campus. She met with Chairperson of the Board of Trustees Tomomi Morishima, President Yoshio Nakatani, and Vice Chairperson of the Ritsumeikan University Alumni Association Nobuo Shibata. Hockey club director Michio Kishi (Dean, College of Policy Science) and Satoshi Makimoto, the head coach of the women's team, were also present for the discussion.

After coming to Ritsumeikan University, Urata, who hails from Osaka, played for the women's hockey club, and she participated in an international tournament as a member of Japan's national women's field hockey team (Sakura Japan) for the first time in her third year. She also represented Japan again at the Paris Olympics last year, where she competed in all of the team’s matches.

During the discussion, Urata renewed her determination by saying, "The outcome of the Paris Olympics was tough to swallow, but it has helped me grow as a person, and I will continue working toward my next international competition and the next Olympics.”

Chairperson Morishima expressed his expectations for Urata, saying, “The fact that an athlete who once played field hockey at OIC is now active on the world stage has been an encouragement for many people. I hope you will continue to do your best and be a good inspiration to the younger generation now playing for our hockey club." President Nakatani also expressed his support for Urata's future endeavors.