Personal Statement
Background and current situation:
From elementary school, I had always loved playing soccer, and I put my life into it. Through selection and trials, I was chosen for my ward, block, and district representative teams and then the highest level of "all Tokyo" representation. I was called up for camps and select team tournaments within Tokyo for each of these representative groups.
Upon moving into middle school, I was scouted and selected by the professional team called Tokyo Verdy to join their highly regarded Junior Youth development program as one of their 19-athlete intakes. Tokyo Verdy is a Japanese professional team in the highest professional league of Japan (called J1). I did three years with Tokyo Verdy, following their full youth development program, including training and matches, nutrition training, and five days per week. However, in the last year of middle school, I faced a major setback when I needed knee surgery on my left knee. The surgery fixed issues with my ACL and Meniscus, and I was in plaster for weeks and rehab for months.
After surgery, my recovery was slow and affected by COVID. Still, I persevered as I could not give up all my talent and capability without fighting to my limits.
Over the past year, I have committed to a rigorous recovery and training routine — everything from ice baths to acupuncture. I had to get my knee in shape to get back into doing what I love, and I'm happy to report that I am now 85-90％ recovered. In the last year, my progress has been steady; I have been called up for Junior Varsity and Varsity teams in ASIJ, and I was selected for and traveled to LA for the Mayor's cup competition (132 teams mostly from the USA), where our team went on to win the competition at the 10th attempt.
For the past three months, I have been back with my full-time soccer team Toripletta of Shibuya, playing in the A team for under 18s. Overall, I have used this tough challenge and experience to build my of resilience and perseverance, and my progress has brought me back to a mindset where I am determined to play at the US collegiate level.
Even though I may not have many recent video clips, I am confident my skills will hold me in good stead and see me through and that my dedication will be unmatched and drive me to develop as a player even more from now on. As a trilingual international athlete from Japan, I believe that I will bring a unique perspective and a commitment to excel both on the field and in the classroom.
Hugo as a Student (notes from last two semester report cards)
* Shows strong sense of perseverance, doesn't give up
* Excellent approach to learning:
* Shows effort applied in and outside of class
* Engaged in learning process
* Is highly motivated
* Has a hard-work ethic
* Is collaborative and works well with others
* Has demonstrated he is able take a leadership role in groups/teams
* Generally quiet, sometimes shy. Continues to focus himself on overcoming his personal challenge of presenting to others
Hugo as a Soccer player
* A reliable and creative goal scorer
* Good with free kicks and shooting, a player who usually hits the target
* Able to dribble and control the ball at speed, has till now been seen as fast, one of the fastest players in his teams including Tokyo Verde
* Not one of the biggest physically (though adding some bulk now with over a year's effort in the gym. So had caught up recently with this early developers. For many years has played as a forward (center or wing) against much bigger and stronger defensive players. But his battling and never give up attitude, and natural resilience, (like full commitment to every 50/50 ball) has seen him be successful in duals such that he often surprises the opposition.
* Seen as a key team figure, promotes team-work and seen as one of the guys that will help the team win
* Though he does not always have the hardest of kicks his shot and passing accuracy is very good.
* Hugo has always been a fearless header of the ball - which is unusual in Jason and so he earned through track record the reputation as being one of the best headers of the ball and able to get headers on target- he jumps high for his height
* Probably his best strength in soccer to date is his vision of movement, where the ball is going and where to move or pass.
Hugo as a person
* A little shy and sensitive but Gregarious and easily able to make friends. One of the popular kids
* Values family, is close to younger brother (also a soccer player), parents and grand-parents
* Is thoughtful about others and understand his and a persons obligations to those around him. Stands up for those being bullied, doesn't tolerate overt meanness in his group
* Seen as international, fully bi-lingual Japanese and English also with good Spanish skills (improving)
* Understands and values Japanese culture and history, as well as his Father's roots in Britain, has had significant exposure to many aspects of Japanese history and culture. EG Japanese tea Ceremony, Buddhist prayers and meditation
* One of the "good kids"
