Kunihiro Shimizu (清水邦広, Shimizu Kunihiro; born (1986-08-11)11 August 1986) is a Japanese former professional volleyball player who played for the Japan national team. A one-club man, he spent his entire professional career with Osaka Bluteon.
He announced his retirement from the national team after finishing seventh place in 2020 Summer Olympics, total of 14 years in the team. Shimizu was crowned the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in Asian Championship 2015.
Contents
Personal life
Shimizu was married to singer Mika Nakashima, both met in 2011 and got married in 2014. In 2018, both decided to divorce due to difficulty in making time for each other.
Clubs
Fukui University Fukui Junior and Senior High School
Tokai University (2005–2009)
Osaka Bluteon (2009–)
Awards
Individuals
2009: 58th Kurowashi Tournament – MVP, Best 6
2009: World Grand Champions Cup – Best Scorer
2009: 2009/10 V.Premier League – MVP, Best Spike, Best 6
2010 Kurowashiki Tournament Best6
2010–2011 Men's V.Premier League – Best 6
2011–2012 Men's V.Premier League – Best 6
2013–14 Men's V.Premier League MVP, Best 6
2014: 63rd Kurowashi Tournament – Most Valuable Player
2015: Asian Championship – Most Valuable Player
2015–2016 Men's V.Premier League Fighting Spirit Award, Best 6
Team
2009 Kurowashiki All Japan Volleyball Championship – Champion, with Panasonic Panthers.
2009–2010 V.Premier League – Champion, with Panasonic Panthers.
2010 Kurowashiki All Japan Volleyball Championship – Champion, with Panasonic Panthers.
2011–2012 V.Premier League – Champion, with Panasonic Panthers.
2012 Kurowashiki All Japan Volleyball Championship – Champion, with Panasonic Panthers.
2012–2013 V.Premier League – Runner-Up, with Panasonic Panthers.
2013 Kurowashiki All Japan Volleyball Championship – Runner-Up, with Panasonic Panthers.
2013–2014 V.Premier League – Champion, with Panasonic Panthers.
2014 Kurowashiki All Japan Volleyball Championship – Champion, with Panasonic Panthers.
National team
Senior team
2007: World Cup – 9th place
2007: World League – 13th place
2008: Summer Olympics – 11th place
2008: World League – 6th place
2009: World League – 15th place
2009: Asian Championship – Gold Medal
2009: World Grand Champions Cup – Bronze Medal
2010: Asian Games – Gold Medal
2011: World League – 15th place
2011: World Cup – 10th place
2012: World League – 15th place
2013: Asian Championship – 4th place
2013: World League – 18th place
2014: World League – 19th place
2014: Asian Games – Silver Medal
2015: Asian Championship – Gold Medal
2015: World Cup — 6th place
2015: World League — 13th place (tied)
2016: World League — 24th place
2019: Nations League — 10th place
2019: World Cup — 4th place
2019: Asian Championship — Bronze Medal
Personal life
Shimizu married singer Mika Nakashima in 2014. On February 2, 2018, Nakashima announced that she and Shimizu were getting a divorce. The decision was mutual, as they both agreed that they don't see each other enough and that it would be best to divorce. They both agreed that the time they spent together was irreplaceable. There are no hard feelings and they will remain friends and continue to support each other and pursue their dreams.
In January 2022, he married TV Osaka reporter, Nana Sakamoto, who is 7 years his junior. He and his wife welcomed their first child, a daughter, born on September 3, 2022.