For a Japanese-Canadian squash pro, the Asian Games are personal

Erisa Sano Herring, a 25-year-old squash player, will represent Japan at the Asian Games in Nagoya from October 1st to 2nd. Born to a Japanese mother and Canadian father, Sano Herring chose to play for Japan, having previously competed for Canada at the Pan American Games. She first encountered the Asian Games during her university years, only later realizing the significant opportunity she had missed.

After missing the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China due to COVID-19 delays, Sano Herring made sure not to let her next chance pass. Her journey into professional squash began at a young age, as her parents both played the sport. Her father discovered squash while pursuing his Ph.D. in England, and her mother took up the racket after they met.

Sano Herring started playing squash at age five, and by 21, she became a professional. The sport's affordability and adaptability compared to other athletic pursuits made it an appealing choice for her. Sano Herring's Japanese upbringing provided her with a sense of order and efficiency, traits that she carries into her sport. She is left-handed, a rarity in squash, which gives her a unique advantage with her shot selection.

While squash remains a niche sport in Japan, Sano Herring believes that its tactical nature and mental challenge could find an audience. Currently ranked 150th in the world, Sano Herring relies on support from her parents and income from private lessons to sustain her career.