Team
Announcement of Kunihiro Shimizu's Retirement

Thank you very much for your warm support for OSAKA BLUTEON.

We would like to announce that Kunihiro Shimizu (Jersey No. 1, Opposite) will be retiring from professional play at the end of the 2025-2026 season.

Shimizu joined the Panasonic Panthers (now OSAKA BLUTEON) in the 2008-2009 season.
As the absolute ace, he built the team's golden era and won numerous titles, including league championships, season MVP, and the Spike Award. In 2018, despite suffering a career-threatening injury, he overcame a grueling year of rehabilitation to return to active duty. In the 2019-20 V.LEAGUE, he broke the record for the most points scored by a Japanese player.
In 2021, he competed in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics as the oldest player on the team.
While supporting the team as a veteran for many years, he has also actively engaged in community contribution activities and media appearances, making a significant contribution to the development of the volleyball world. Starting from the 2025-26 season, he has been active as a player-coach for OSAKA BLUTEON, passing on his experience and passion to the next generation.

Shimizu has led the team as an opposite for 18 seasons, delivering countless memorable moments, victories, and much excitement.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for his immense contributions to date, and the entire club will wholeheartedly support his new challenges and life ahead.

The retirement ceremony is scheduled to be held after the match on GAME2 (May 10) or GAME3 (May 11), where the outcome of the 2025-26 Daido Life SV.LEAGUE MEN Championship Semifinals will be decided, as well as at the "2025-26 OSAKA BLUTEON CLUB Appreciation Day" (May 20).

We ask for your continued warm support for Shimizu for the remainder of the season.

Kunihiro Shimizu Player Comments

I have decided to retire from active duty at the end of this season.
I am 40 years old this year. Together with volleyball, which I started at the age of 10, I have been running on the court for about 30 years. Panasonic Panthers, and OSAKA BLUTEON.
The time I spent with this team is my life itself, and it is my greatest pride.
I have been able to continue this far thanks to my family and children who supported me closest, my teammates who fought with me, the staff, and everyone who has continued to support me unchangingly at all times.
Even when things were difficult or not going as planned, your voices pushed me forward time and time again.
I am truly grateful.
For the past few years, my knee condition has not been good, and there have been more times when I could not play as I wanted. I feel I have caused trouble for my younger teammates.
Even so, the days I spent fighting with these teammates on this team, and the scenery I saw from the court, are an irreplaceable treasure for life. The feeling of "I want to win" and "I want to get better" never changed until the end.
And OSAKA BLUTEON will continue to move forward.
The players are fighting seriously every day, sacrificing time with their families and themselves to achieve results. I would be happy if you could continue to support them.
Your support will definitely be their strength.
There are reliable younger players.
I believe they will continue to build the best and strongest team.
Please continue to give your passionate support to OSAKA BLUTEON.
Thank you so, so much for showing me a dream-like view for 30 years.
To everyone who loves volleyball, with heartfelt gratitude.

About Player Profile

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  #1

  Kunihiro Shimizu
  Kunihiro Shimizu
  Opposite

Team Affiliation History

2009–2026	Panasonic Panthers / OSAKA BLUTEON

National Team History

2007–2021	Japan National Volleyball Team

Team Records and Personal Awards

2008-09	Joined Panasonic Panthers Kurowashiki Tournament Victory Kurowashiki All Japan Volleyball Tournament MVP
2009-10	Contributed to the first-ever domestic triple crown of the Emperor's Cup, V.Premier League, and Kurowashiki Tournament V.Premier League Most Valuable Player, Spike Award, and Best 6 Kurowashiki All Japan Volleyball Tournament MVP Asian Men's Club Volleyball Championship 3rd place
2010-11	V.Premier League Spike Award and Best 6
2011-12	Contributed to the second triple crown of the Emperor's Cup, V.Premier League, and Kurowashiki Tournament V.Premier League Best 6
2012-13	V.Premier League Runner-up Kurowashiki Tournament Runner-up FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship participant
2013-14	V.Premier League Champion V.Premier League Most Valuable Player, Spike Award, and Best 6 Award winner Kurowashiki Tournament Victory Kurowashiki All Japan Volleyball Tournament MVP
2015-16	V.Premier League Runner-up V.Premier League Fighting Spirit Award and Best 6 Award winner
2016-17	Kurowashiki Tournament Runner-up Kuroshiki All Japan Volleyball Championship Fighting Spirit Award winner
2017-18	Contributed to the third triple crown of the Emperor's Cup, V.Premier League, and Kuroshiki All Japan Volleyball Championship V.Premier League Best 6
2018-19	V.LEAGUE Division1 Champion Kurowashiki Tournament Runner-up Kuroshiki All Japan Volleyball Championship Fighting Spirit Award winner Asian Women's Club Volleyball Championship Runner-up
2019-20	V.LEAGUE Division1 Runner-up Recipient of the V.LEAGUE Honor Award and Fighting Spirit Award Broke the V.LEAGUE all-time scoring record
2020-21	V.LEAGUE Division1 Runner-up V.LEAGUE Honorary Award and Fighting Spirit Award recipient
2023-24	V.LEAGUE Division1 Runner-up
2024-25	SV.LEAGUE 3rd place Asian Women's Club Volleyball Championship Runner-up
2025-26	FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship runner-up

Major Japan National Team Records and Personal Awards

2008	Beijing Olympics participation
2009	World Grand Champions Cup bronze medal, Best Scorer award
2010	Asian Games winner
2015	World Cup 6th place
2019	World Cup 4th place
2021	Tokyo Olympics 7th place