As players get bigger, stronger and faster, it¡¯s inevitable the world¡¯s top athletes will need support from athletic trainers, strength coaches and therapists as they try to accomplish great feats.
Yusuke Nakayama is one the people the Cleveland Cavaliers¡¯ players have turned to the past few years. As a member of the training staff, the native of Susono, Shizuoka Prefecture, recently contributed to the Cavaliers¡¯ emotional run to the NBA title as an athletic trainer/performance scientist.
¡°It took me a few seconds to realize that the game was really over,¡± Nakayama, 33, said in an email to The Japan Times about the moment his team captured the title with a thrilling win over the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on June 19.
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