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Making Waseda number one in Japan

Hikari Takagi
Fourth year, School of Sport Sciences
Waseda University Association Football Club Women’s Division

“What I enjoyed most was kicking the ball,” says Hikari Takagi with a carefree smile, commenting on the joy of playing soccer for the first time as an elementary student. Ever since the Japan-Korea FIFA World Cup in 2002, Takagi became obsessed with soccer and competed at the top levels in Japan throughout junior and senior high school.

Takagi frequently tours overseas as a representative of Japan and Universiade competitor while participating in the Waseda University Association Football Club. “I don’t think I’m too busy. I like having a packed schedule. Touring overseas feels unreal, because I make so much progress on areas I need to improve on,” she says cheerfully. “When I can’t attend classes, I keep in touch with my professors and submit my reports while on tour. I’m taking a sports business marketing seminar, and this year I’m planning on writing my graduation thesis on a survey of soccer cleats for women.”

“My goal is to make Waseda the number one women’s university team in Japan, something never achieved before. I’m certain we’ll see results if we just work hard, and doing so will also help me in terms of growing as a player. I want to give my all no matter what area of my life.”

Hikari Takagi

Originally from Shizuoka, Hikari Takagi graduated from Tokoha Gakuen Tachibana Senior High School. She is both one of the members of Japan’s national under-23 soccer team and a participant in the women’s Universiade. Her position on the Japan under-23 team is as mid fielder—someone who tries to create offensive opportunities. Her major successes as part of Japan national teams includes finishing second in the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and placing third in the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Her favorite soccer player is former England representative Steven Gerrard.