Japanese Yoshimi Yamashita, one of three women set to make history as the first women referees to officiate at a men’s World Cup this autumn in Qatar, feels both pressure and excitement at the prospect of being a pioneer.
“To normalize it, we need to see female referees on the field on a regular basis. I’m under a lot of pressure to earn everyone’s trust and make that happen “On Thursday, the 36-year-old told a news conference in Tokyo.
She also recognizes the advantages of her time in the spotlight, stating that her presence at a traditionally male-dominated event demonstrates that new opportunities are opening up for women.
“There aren’t many female referees in the Middle East, and it would be fantastic to see even one more after the World Cup,” she said.
Yamashita will not be breaking new ground in the sport for the first time in Qatar.
She became the first woman to referee matches in the J-League and Asian Champions League, in addition to officiating at the 2019 Women’s World Cup and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
However, Qatar’s inclusion does not guarantee that she or the other two women on the list – France’s Stephanie Frappart and Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga – will be blowing the whistle during matches. They could be referred to as “fourth officials,” assisting from the sidelines.
Yamashita’s preparation for the global sporting event will not change whether she makes it on the field or not.
“I’m acutely aware of how quickly I make split-second decisions. As the World Cup approaches, I must continue to strengthen that muscle and be ready to adapt to rapid changes “she explained, adding that she has been practicing by watching previous match videos.
“Every referee has inspired me, and they all have qualities that I aspire to.”
When asked if there were any specific players whose matches she hoped to officiate, she demurred, describing herself as “1% nervous and 99% excited.”
“That’s a trade secret,” she chuckled.
