# Masato Kai

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{{Short description|Japanese volleyball player (born 2003)}}
{{family name hatnote|[Kai](/source/Kai_(name))||lang=Japanese}}
{{expand Japanese|topic=bio|甲斐優斗|date=January 2026}}
{{Infobox volleyball biography
|name= Masato Kai
|image=File:Masato Kai.jpg
|fullname=Masato Kai
|nickname= 
|nationality=[Japanese](/source/Japanese_people)
|birth_date= {{Birth date and age|2003|9|25|df=y}}
|birth_place= Nobeoka City, Japan
|height=200 cm
|weight=86 kg
|spike=357 cm
|block=330 cm
|college= [Senshu University](/source/Senshu_University)
|currentclub = {{flagicon|JPN}} [Osaka Bluteon](/source/Osaka_Bluteon)
|currentnumber=15
|club1= {{flagicon|FRA}} [Paris Volley](/source/Paris_Volley)
|years1= 2023–2024
|years2= 2025–present
|club2= {{flagicon|JPN}} Osaka Bluteon<ref name="OSB">{{cite news |title=甲斐 優斗選手 退団のお知らせ |url=https://www.osaka-bluteon.com/news/2025/20250521_01.html |access-date=21 May 2025 |publisher=[Osaka Bluteon](/source/Osaka_Bluteon) |date=21 May 2025 |language=ja}}</ref>
|years3= 
|club3= 
|years4= 
|club4= 
|years5= 
|club5= 
|nationalteam1= [Japan men's national volleyball team](/source/Japan_men's_national_volleyball_team)
|nationalteam2=
|nationalyears1= 2022–present
|nationalyears2=
| medaltemplates-expand = yes
| medaltemplates-title  = Medal record
| updated         =
| medaltemplates  =
{{MedalSport | Men's [volleyball](/source/volleyball) }}
{{MedalCountry | {{JPN}} }}
{{MedalCompetition|[FIVB Nations League](/source/FIVB_Volleyball_Men's_Nations_League)}}
{{MedalSilver|[2024 Łódź](/source/2024_FIVB_Men's_Volleyball_Nations_League)|Team}}
{{MedalBronze|[2023 Gdańsk](/source/2023_FIVB_Volleyball_Men's_Nations_League)|Team}}
{{MedalCompetition | [Asian Championship](/source/Asian_Men's_Volleyball_Championship)}}
{{MedalGold | [2023 Urmia](/source/2023_Asian_Men's_Volleyball_Championship) | Team}}
}}

{{nihongo|'''Masato Kai'''|甲斐 優斗|Kai Masato|born 25 September 2003}} is a Japanese male volleyball player and an Olympian. He plays as an outside hitter for the [Japan men's national volleyball team](/source/Japan_men's_national_volleyball_team) and [Osaka Bluteon](/source/Osaka_Bluteon).

== Personal life ==
Kai was born on 25 September 2003 in Nobeoka City, Miyazaki Prefecture, to Akihiro and Terumi Kai.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.koukouseishinbun.jp/articles/-/8440 |newspaper=Koukousei Shinbun |language=Japanese |title=春高バレー快進撃の新星・甲斐優斗　身長2メートル「コロナ禍で寝てたら伸びた」 |date=17 January 2022 |access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref> He has an older brother, Koutarou, who plays for Suntory Sunbirds, and a younger sister named Sakura. He started playing volleyball in the second grade of elementary school at the Nobeoka Minami Volleyball Club, where his father was a coach.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://4years.asahi.com/article/15070322 |website=4 years Asahi |language=Japanese |title=専修大・甲斐孝太郎　日本代表になった弟の成長を実感「優斗とこんなに戦えるなんて」 |date=30 November 2023 |access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref>

In 2019, Kai attended the Miyazaki Prefectural Nichinan Shintoku High School and played an active role in the All Japan High School Volleyball Championship, leading the team to the semifinals in their first appearance at the tournament in his third-year.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://nishispo.nishinippon.co.jp/article/785540 |newspaper=[Nishinippon Shimbun](/source/Nishinippon_Shimbun) |language=Japanese |title=バレーボール男子日本代表発表　指揮官は19歳の甲斐優斗に期待「飛躍的な進歩遂げている」 |date=7 April 2023 |access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref> In 2022, he was accepted at [Senshu University](/source/Senshu_University) and currently majors in business administration.

== Career ==
At the age of 18, Kai was selected as one of the outside hitters for the first time when the [Japan Volleyball Association](/source/Japan_Volleyball_Association) (JVA) announced the Japan men's national volleyball team roster for the upcoming international competition.<ref>{{cite web |title=2022年度男子日本代表チーム 選手・監督・スタッフ |url=https://www.jva.or.jp/ryujin_nippon/member/index2022/ |website=Japan Volleyball Association |access-date=21 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406100733/https://www.jva.or.jp/ryujin_nippon/member/index2022/ |archive-date=6 April 2022 |language=ja}}</ref>

In 2023, he participated in a friendly match with the Chinese national team and played an active role with his serves and spikes.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://vbm.link/655597/ |website=Volleyball Magazine |language=Japanese |title=男子代表が中国に5－0で勝利　専修大2年甲斐優斗が鮮烈デビュー「まさかスタートでいくとは思わなかったです。楽しんでやれました」西田「富山は初めて来たけど実家のようでなつかしい感じ」 |date=19 May 2023 |access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref> After that, he was selected as one of 14 registered Japanese players for the Nagoya round in the first week of the [FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League](/source/FIVB_Men's_Volleyball_Nations_League), where he participated in the first round against Iran.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sanspo.com/article/20230531-QESVFEMI2RH2JG5RTVOQTJH2MA/ |website=Sanspo |language=Japanese |title=２０６センチの１８歳、麻野堅斗が代表入り　ネーションズリーグ男子選手発表／バレー |date=31 May 2023 |access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref>

At the end of the university league, Kai arrived in France in December and played for Paris Volley at the recommendation of [Philippe Blain](/source/Philippe_Blain), along with fellow national team member [Kento Miyaura](/source/Kento_Miyaura).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.getsuvolley.com/240117_kai_masato |website=Getsu Volley |language=Japanese |title=
専修大2年の甲斐優斗がフランスリーグへ挑戦　「海外経験は大きなものになる」 |date=17 January 2024 |access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://number.bunshun.jp/articles/-/860992 |website=Number Bunshun |language=Japanese |title=「甲斐、エグいです」男子バレー宮浦健人も絶賛する20歳甲斐優斗の成長が止まらない「日本に帰ったら、みんなびっくりすると思います」 |date=20 March 2024 |access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref>

Later in 2024, Kai was chosen as one of 13 registered players to represent Japan at the [2024 Summer Olympics](/source/2024_Summer_Olympics) after qualifying for the first time in 16 years since the [2008 Summer Olympics](/source/2008_Summer_Olympics) through the traditional qualification tournament.<ref name="Olympic">{{cite web |title=Volleyball - Olympic Profile |url=https://olympics.com/en/athletes/masato-kai |website=Olympics.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://number.bunshun.jp/articles/-/860992 |newspaper=[Shūkan Bunshun](/source/Sh%C5%ABkan_Bunshun) |language=Japanese |title=「甲斐、エグいです」男子バレー宮浦健人も絶賛する20歳甲斐優斗の成長が止まらない「日本に帰ったら、みんなびっくりすると思います」 |date=20 March 2024 |trans-title="Kai is amazing," says Miyaura Kento, a volleyball player who also praises the 20-year-old Kai Yuto for his unstoppable growth. "I think everyone will be amazed when he returns to Japan."}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.umk.co.jp/udoki/-20240713-1.html |publisher=[TV Miyazaki](/source/TV_Miyazaki) |language=Japanese |title=バレーボール男子日本代表 延岡市出身 甲斐優斗選手の素顔とは（2024年07月13日放送） |trans-title=What is the real face of Kai Yuto, a member of the Japanese men’s volleyball team from Nobeoka City? (Broadcast on July 13, 2024) |date=13 July 2024}}</ref>

In December of the same year, he contributed to the first victory of Senshu University at the 2024 All Japan Intercollegiate Volleyball Championship. He won two individual awards: the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Best Server.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://vbm.link/679078/ |website=Volleyball Magazine |language=Japanese |title=男子は専修大が初優勝。女子は筑波大が2連覇。MVPに甲斐優斗と中村悠　全日本インカレ |date=2 December 2024 |access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref> He was appointed as the next captain following the retirement of the fourth-year players from the team.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.osaka-bluteon.com/news/2025/20250122_02.html |website=Osaka Bluteon |language=Japanese |title=甲斐 優斗選手（特別指定選手） 入団のお知らせ |date=22 January 2025 |access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref>

In January 2025, it was announced that Kai would be a special designated player for Osaka Bluteon.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.osaka-bluteon.com/news/2025/20250122_02.html |website=Osaka Bluteon |language=Japanese |title=甲斐 優斗選手（特別指定選手） 入団のお知らせ |date=22 January 2025 |access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref> He made his SV League debut with a service ace in the 14th game of the 2024-2025 season against Hiroshima Thunders on February 1.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.svleague.jp/ja/form/b/32241 |website=SV League |language=Japanese |title=2024-25 大同生命SV.LEAGUE MEN レギュラーシーズン 第14節 GAME1 |date=1 February 2025 |access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref> From the beginning of the 2025-2026 season, he officially joined Osaka Bluteon and started in the opening game against Suntory Sunbirds on October 24.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.osaka-bluteon.com/news/2025/20250730_01.html |website=Osaka Bluteon |language=Japanese |title=甲斐 優斗選手 入団のお知らせ |date=30 July 2025 |access-date=14 December 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://svleague.jp/ja/sv_men/match/list?pg=1 |website=Osaka Bluteon |language=Japanese |title=日程・結果 |date=24 October 2025 |access-date=14 December 2025}}</ref>

At the 2025 All Japan Intercollegiate Volleyball Championship held in December, Captain Kai led Senshu University to the semi-finals in two consecutive years. The team placed 4th, and he was awarded Best Scorer and Best Server.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://volleyballking.jp/article/62859/ |website=Volleyball King |language=Japanese |title=「打ち切ったお前はエラい」泣きじゃくる後輩を抱きしめて 日本代表の“愛され末っ子”甲斐優斗が、専修大の“頼れる兄貴”として見せた真の顔 |date=11 December 2025 |access-date=14 December 2025}}</ref> In the same month, he became a silver medalist at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s Club World Championship and made history as a player of the first Japanese club to reach the world final.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.fivb.com/sir-perugia-reclaim-club-world-championship-throne/ |website=FIVB |language=English |title=Sir Perugia reclaim Club World Championship throne |date=22 December 2025 |access-date=26 December 2025}}</ref>

== Awards ==

===Club===
* '''2025''' 16px [2025 FIVB Club World Championship](/source/2025_FIVB_Volleyball_Men's_Club_World_Championship), with [Osaka Bluteon](/source/Osaka_Bluteon)

===National team===
* '''2023''' 16px [Asian Championship](/source/2023_Asian_Men's_Volleyball_Championship)
* '''2023''' 16px [FIVB Nations League](/source/2023_FIVB_Men's_Volleyball_Nations_League)
* '''2024''' 16px [FIVB Nations League](/source/2024_FIVB_Men's_Volleyball_Nations_League)

===Individual===
* '''2022''' All Japan High School Volleyball Championship – Best Middle Blocker
* '''2024''' Kanto University Men's Division Autumn League – Best Scorer and Best Server
* '''2024''' [All Japan Intercollegiate Volleyball Championship](/source/All_Japan_Intercollegiate_Volleyball_Championship) – Most Valuable Player and Best Server
* '''2025''' [All Japan Intercollegiate Volleyball Championship](/source/All_Japan_Intercollegiate_Volleyball_Championship) – Best Scorer and Best Server

== Clubs ==
* '''2011–16''' {{Flagicon|JPN}} Nobeoka Municipal Minami Elementary School
* '''2016–19''' {{Flagicon|JPN}} Nobeoka Municipal Minami Junior High School
* '''2019–22''' {{Flagicon|JPN}} Miyazaki Prefectural Nichinan Shintoku High School
* '''2022–25''' {{Flagicon|JPN}} [Senshu University](/source/Senshu_University)
* '''2023–24''' {{Flagicon|FRA}} [Paris Volley](/source/Paris_Volley)
* '''2025–present''' {{Flagicon|JPN}} [Osaka Bluteon](/source/Osaka_Bluteon)

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/volleyball-nations-league/players/189064 Player Profile at FIVB]+

{{Japan men's volleyball team 2024 Summer Olympics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kai, Masato}}
Category:2003 births
Category:Living people
Category:Japanese men's volleyball players
Category:Olympic volleyball players for Japan
Category:Volleyball players at the 2024 Summer Olympics
Category:21st-century Japanese sportsmen

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Masato Kai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masato_Kai) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masato_Kai?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.