Full name | Takamichi Sasaki | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 30 October 1983 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Place of birth | Japan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 95 kg (14 st 13 lb; 209 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Takamichi Sasaki (佐々木隆道, Sasaki takamichi, born 30 October 1983) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a flanker. He played for both Suntory Sungoliath and Hino Red Dolphins in Japan's domestic Top League, playing over 100 times. [1] He was named in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, making 1 appearances in the tournament. [2] He made a further 12 appearances for Japan in his career, scoring four tries. [3]
The Japan national rugby union team, also known as the Cherry Blossoms, the Brave Blossoms, or simply Sakura, represents Japan in men's international rugby union. Japan is traditionally the strongest rugby union power in Asia and has enjoyed and endured mixed results against non-Asian teams over the years. Rugby union in Japan is administered by the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU), which was founded in 1926. They compete annually in the Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) and previously in the Asia Rugby Championship (ARC). They have also participated in every Rugby World Cup (RWC) since the tournament began in 1987, and hosted the event in 2019.
Kensuke Sasaki is a Japanese retired professional wrestler, mixed martial artist, and founder of the now-defunct wrestling promotion Diamond Ring.
Sailosi Tagicakibau is a rugby union footballer who has played at wing for London Irish and Wasps in the Aviva Premiership.
Nili Latu, playing name of Otenili Langilangi is a Tongan rugby union footballer. In 2018, Latu left Newcastle Falcons after helping Falcons achieve 4th in the Aviva Premiership, the highest finish in 20 years. He moved to Japan to continue playing rugby.
The Kyōgoku clan were a Japanese daimyō and samurai clan which rose to prominence during the Sengoku and Edo periods. The clan descend from the Uda Genji through the Sasaki clan. The name derives from the Kyōgoku quarter of Kyoto during the Heian period.
Siyamthanda "Siya" Kolisi, is a South African professional rugby union player who currently captains the South Africa national team. Having formerly played for the Stormers and Racing 92, he currently plays for Sharks in the URC. He generally plays as a flanker and a loose forward. In 2018, Kolisi was appointed captain of the Springboks, becoming the first black man to hold the position and eventually leading the South African Rugby team to victory in the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final against England, and again in the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final against New Zealand.
Takamichi Kobayashi is a former Japanese football player, who played as a midfielder.
Dylan Thor Richardson is a South African-Scottish international rugby union player. He plays for the Sharks in the United Rugby Championship. He is a utility forward that can play as a loose forward or a hooker.
Tatsukichi Nishiura is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a prop. He spent his whole career playing for Coca-Cola Red Sparks in Japan's domestic Top League, playing over 50 times. He was named in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, making 3 appearances in the tournament. He made a further 14 appearances for Japan in his career, scoring one try against Italy.
Yuji Matsubara is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a hooker. He spent his whole career playing for Kobelco Steelers in Japan's domestic Top League, playing over 35 times. He was named in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, making 3 appearances in the tournament. He made a further 20 appearances for Japan in his career, scoring two tries.
Takanori Kumagae is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a lock. He spent his whole career playing for NEC Green Rockets in Japan's domestic Top League, playing a single season. He was named in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, making 1 appearance in the tournament. He made a further 25 appearances for Japan in his career, scoring one try.
Hare Makiri is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a flanker. He played for the Chiefs in Super Rugby and Munakata Sanix Blues in the Top League. He was named in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, making 4 appearances in the tournament. He made a further 22 appearances for Japan in his career, scoring five tries, before late coaching Japan Sevens.
Philip O'Reilly is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a flanker. He was named in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, making two appearances in the tournament. He made a further nine appearances for Japan in his career, scoring seven tries.
Eiji Ando is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a fly-half. He was named in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, but didn't make an appearance at the tournament. He did though make 13 appearances for Japan in his career, scoring 55 points.
Shotaro Onishi is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a centre. He spent his whole career playing for both Kintetsu Liners and Toyota Industries Shuttles in Japan's domestic Top League, playing over 560 times. He was named in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, making 3 appearances in the tournament. He made a further 30 appearances for Japan in his career, scoring 71 points.
Tomoki Kitagawa is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a wing. He spent his whole career playing for Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan's domestic Top League, playing over 80 times. He was named as a replacement in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, making 1 appearances in the tournament. He made a further 2 appearances for Japan in his career, scoring two tries.
Mitsugu Yamamoto is a Japanese rugby union player who played as a prop or hooker. He's currently playing for Coca-Cola Red Sparks in Japan's domestic Top League. He was named in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, but withdrew from the tournament due to injury. He made a further 10 appearances for Japan in his career, scoring three tries.
Taku Inokuchi is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a hooker. He spent his whole career playing for Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan's domestic Top League, playing over 10 times. He was named as a backup player for Japan for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, making two appearances in the tournament. He made a further 5 appearances for Japan, scoring a try.
Takashi Sasaki is a Japanese professional wrestler and the owner of Pro Wrestling Freedoms (Freedoms). A regular on the Japanese independent circuit for over 25 years, Sasaki began his career with IWA Kakutō Shijuku and Dramatic Dream Team before transitioning into the deathmatch wrestling scene in 2005 with Apache Pro-Wrestling Army and Big Japan Pro Wrestling. Following the closure of Apache Pro, Sasaki formed Pro Wrestling Freedoms in 2009.