Twelve men and women have been announced as the Japan national rugby sevens team for the Tokyo Olympics.
I will introduce each male member one by one.
The women's representatives are introduced in another article.
Yoshihei Ishida
Yoshihei Ishida is 21 years old from Hyogo prefecture.
He is a third-year student who belongs to the rugby club of Meiji University, and is the youngest member of this time.
Although he is as small as 1 meter and 67 centimeters, he has been appointed as the representative of the Olympic Games for the first time because of his ability to play with his opponent with speed and fine step work.
Ryota Kano
Ryota Kano is 29 years old from Tokyo.
I belong to Meiji Yasuda Life in the Top East League, which follows the Top League and Top Challenge League.
In the 15-man system, he has experienced almost all positions as Bucks, and is characterized by a wide range of play, and one of his characteristics is his defensive ability to quickly pick up the buds of the opponent's attack.
This is the first time I have been appointed as the Olympic representative.
Seru Jose
Seru Jose is 30 years old from Fiji.
I acquired Japanese nationality in March 2020.
This is the first time I have been appointed as the representative of the Olympics.
I belong to Kintetsu, the top challenge league, which is the lower part of the top league, and currently I have a contract with the Japan Rugby Union as a full-time player in order to prioritize activities with a sevens system.
His strength is his physical strength, and he is good at playing to expand his chances from passing while receiving the opponent's tackle, off-road pass, etc.
Kameli Soejima La La Boura Tianara
Kameli Soejima La La Boura Tianara is from Fiji and is 38 years old, the oldest player on the team.
I acquired Japanese nationality in 2013.
Having played in the Top Challenge League, which is the lower part of the Top League, he has the ability to break through by taking advantage of his blessed physique with a height of 1 meter and 90 centimeters.
He also participated in the last Rio de Janeiro Olympics and contributed to Japan's advancement to the top four.
Lote Tuqiri
Lote Tuqiri is 33 years old from Fiji.
I acquired Japanese nationality in 2015.
I belong to Kintetsu, the top challenge league, which is the lower part of the top league, but currently I have a contract with the Japan Rugby Union as a full-time player in order to prioritize activities with a sevens system.
It has a good reputation for its defensive body with a powerful tackle that makes the best use of its physique, which is 1 meter 88 cm tall and weighs 98 kg.
As a representative of Japan, he has participated in the official games of 50 games, which is the largest number among the members this time, and contributed to the advancement to the best 4 at the last Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Kazushi Hano
Kazushi Hano is 30 years old from Aichi prefecture.
I belong to the top league NTT Communications.
It has a good reputation for its breakthrough power because it has the strength of a body that does not easily collapse even if it receives the tackle of the opponent.
He became a representative for the first time in 2011 when he was a college student, and contributed to the final four at the last Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Masakatsu Hikosaka
Masakatsu Hikosaka is 30 years old from Aichi prefecture.
I belong to the top league Toyota Motor Corporation.
He is good at playing to expand opportunities with accurate passes and is expected to play a role as a mood maker.
Last time, he started in 5 out of 6 games at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics and contributed to the final 4 advancement.
Yoshikazu Fujita
Yoshikazu Fujita is 27 years old from Kyoto prefecture.
He belongs to the top league Panasonic and has participated in the World Cup as a representative of Japan with 15 players.
Currently, we have a contract with the Japan Rugby Union as a full-time player in order to prioritize activities with a sevens system.
It has a breakthrough power to overtake the opponent with a unique rhythm while accelerating with abundant momentum as a weapon.
At the last Rio de Janeiro Games, I was removed from the team just before the Games and suffered frequent injuries after that, but due to the postponement of the Tokyo Games, I was able to recover in time and achieved my first Olympic representative appointment.
Henry Blackin
Henry Blackin is 32 years old from New Zealand.
In 2019, I acquired Japanese nationality.
I belong to the top league NTT Communications, and currently I have a contract with the Japan Rugby Union as a full-time player in order to prioritize activities with a sevens system.
Before I acquired Japanese nationality, I played for Australia, so I was appointed as the first Japanese national team for the Olympics.
Bok Colin Thunder God
Bokekoline Raijin is 36 years old from New Zealand.
In 2019, I acquired Japanese nationality.
I belong to the top league Ricoh, but currently I have a contract with the Japan Rugby Union as a full-time player in order to prioritize activities with a sevens system.
He is 1 meter and 90 centimeters tall and weighs 110 kilograms.
Prior to acquiring Japanese nationality, he played for both 7s and 15s as a representative of New Zealand.
This is the first time I have been appointed as the representative of Japan for the Olympics.
Chihito Matsui
Chihito Matsui is 26 years old from Osaka.
Even the Japanese national team, who brings in a try at once, has top-class speed.
I belong to the top league Canon, and currently I have a contract with the Japan Rugby Union as a full-time player in order to prioritize activities with a sevens system.
From 2019, I have been appointed as the captain of the Japan national team, but since I was removed from the members just before the last Rio de Janeiro tournament, this is my first job offer as the Olympic representative.
Naoki Motomura
Naoki Motomura is 29 years old from Aomori prefecture.
I belong to the top league Honda.
This is the first time that he has been appointed as the representative of the Olympic Games because he has a play that expands the chances of attack by making a bold breakthrough.