Rwanda international Yves Mutabazi has left local volleyball fans in shock following his retirement announcement at only 25 due to a nagging shoulder injury.
The hard-hitting spiker enjoyed an illustrious career that reached its peak this year when he landed a deal to go professional – playing for Oita Miyoshi Weisse Adle in the Japanese third tier league.
On domestic scene, his breakthrough came in 2014 when, at the age of 20, he inspired APR to their 2014 Rwanda Volleyball League title, a side for played for between 2013 and 2018.
After five years with APR, Mutabazi was signed by Turkish side Niksar and would feature for them for just one season before he was released in April this year. However, three months later, the soft spoken left-attacker landed a deal to join Oita Miyoshi.
It was shortly after arriving in Japan that he began to be troubled by the irritating injury in his right shoulder.
Speaking to Saturday Sport this week, Mutabazi revealed that he had a minor problem in his shoulder before leaving Rwanda, and he thinks it is the same problem that worsened into the injury that has seen him prematurely calling time on his career.
"Before leaving for Japan, I had a slight strain in the shoulder but I could comfortably play with it. But, with time, it worsened to the point I could not even train with my teammates,” Mutabazi, visibly sorrowful, explained to this publication.
He added: "Doctors of the club helped but it was not getting better. That is why I have decided to call it quits and focus on other things in life.”
The former APR star – who returned in Rwanda last month – further said that medical experts and physiotherapists advised him not to overwork his injury, otherwise the situation would get irreversibly bad for his health.
Mutabazi was regarded as one of the best talents of his generation, having made his senior international debut when he was barely 19.
He was part of the U21 team that qualified for the 2013 FIVB World Championships in Turkey, where Rwanda finished 12th out of 20 countries.
Two years later, he sensationally helped Rwanda to finish fourth at the 2015 All-Africa Games in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.