Now that Jaja Santiago has acquired Japanese citizenship, she is in line to be potentially in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics as Sachi Minowa of the Japan women's national team.
By acquiring her Japanese citizenship, Jaja Santiago should have the golden opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream.
Set to take the Japanese name of Sachi Minowa, Jaja will potentially be in line to represent Japan in women’s volleyball for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028.
[Related: Jaja Santiago spotted in Japan women's volleyball team photoshoot]
The seeds have been planted earlier this year, when Jaja was invited to participate in the Japan national team training ahead of Paris 2024.
Santiago may not have been in the lineup this year, but older sister Dindin Santiago-Manabot believes that Sachi Minowa will be in the lineup four years from now.
“May chance, siguro sa susunod. If kaya pa ng katawan niya,” Dindin said.
“By that time 32 years old na siya, pero healthy naman si Jaja ngayon eh. Alam ko kaya niya, kasi sa edad ko kinakaya ko pa siya pa kaya,” Santiago-Manabat added, who is two years older than her sister.
[Related: Jaja Santiago bares heartfelt message after officially acquiring Japanese citizenship]
At 28, Jaja is at the peak of her volleyball powers.
Her recent season in Japan’s V.League saw her win a silver medal, her highest finish so far. Playing for JT Marvelous, Jaja also won Best Middle Blocker from the V.Final Stage.
In the regular season, Santiago also emerged as the no. 1 spiker and blocker, marking her finest season in Japan to date.
[Related: Former Korea ace Kim Yeon-koung leads volleyball community in celebrating Jaja Santiago's recent personal milestone]
As Jaja gears up for what’s next, her sister couldn’t help but be happy. Jaja’s final season in the Philippines ended up being a special family matter, winning the PVL Open Conference championship with Dindin in Chery Tiggo.
"Bago pa mag-Olympics lumabas na passport niya, na Japanese citizen na siya. Sobrang happy ko kasi yun naman talaga yung hinihintay ni Jaja,” Dindin said.
[Related: Chery Tiggo happy to see Jaja Santiago get closer to her Olympic dream after acquiring Japanese citizenship]
“Hindi man siya nakapasok sa Olympics ngayon para i-represent ang Japan, happy naman siya na isa sa mga pangarap niya natupad,” she added.
(With reports from Jamie Velasco/One Sports)