Chinatsu Mori (森 千夏, Mori Chinatsu) (May 20, 1980 in Edogawa, Tokyo – August 9, 2006 in Tokyo) was a Japanese shot…Chinatsu Mori (森 千夏, Mori Chinatsu) (May 20, 1980 in Edogawa, Tokyo – August 9, 2006 in Tokyo) was a Japanese shot putter. Her personal best throw is 18.22 metres, achieved in April 2004 in Hamamatsu. This is the current Japanese record. She won the silver medal at the 2000 Asian Championships and the bronze medal at the 2003 Asian Championships. In addition she competed at the 2003 World Championships and the 2004 Olympic Games without reaching the final round. Mori died of appendix cancer on August 9, 2006, aged 26.
Kaori Onozawa (小野澤 香理, Onozawa Kaori; born 1979) is a Japanese team handball player. She plays on the Japanese national…Kaori Onozawa (小野澤 香理, Onozawa Kaori; born 1979) is a Japanese team handball player. She plays on the Japanese national team, and participated at the 2011 World Women's Handball Championship in Brazil.
Hirooki Goto (後藤洋央紀, Gotō Hirōki; born June 25, 1979) is a Japanese professional wrestler and actor. He is signed to…Hirooki Goto (後藤洋央紀, Gotō Hirōki; born June 25, 1979) is a Japanese professional wrestler and actor. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). He is also one-half of Bishamon alongside Yoshi-Hashi. Goto holds the record of being one-third of the longest reigning NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champions with his Chaos stablemates, Tomohiro Ishii and Yoshi-Hashi. He is also a three-time IWGP Intercontinental Champion, a five-time IWGP Tag Team Champion, a one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, a one-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, a five-time NEVER Openweight Champion, a one-time winner of the G1 Climax (2008), a five-time winner of the World Tag League (2012, 2014, 2021, 2022, and 2023), and a record three-time winner of the New Japan Cup (2009, 2010, and 2012).
Masato Uchishiba (内柴 正人, Uchishiba Masato; born 17 June 1978) is a Japanese judoka who won the gold medal in the men's…Masato Uchishiba (内柴 正人, Uchishiba Masato; born 17 June 1978) is a Japanese judoka who won the gold medal in the men's under 66 kg division at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, and at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
Masakatsu Ueda (born December 21, 1977) is a professional Japanese mixed martial artist who currently competes in the…Masakatsu Ueda (born December 21, 1977) is a professional Japanese mixed martial artist who currently competes in the bantamweight division of Pancrase. Ueda was also a college level wrestler in Japan, where holds a win over fellow mixed martial artist and Japanese superstar Norifumi Yamamoto, better known as "Kid" Yamamoto. Ueda has also won many national titles in combat wrestling. He also won the All Japan Shooto Grappling championship, and both A and B class Shooto Rookie Tournaments. He is a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Yuki Nakai.
Naofumi Yamamoto (山本 尚史, Yamamoto Naofumi; born August 1, 1977) is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by…Naofumi Yamamoto (山本 尚史, Yamamoto Naofumi; born August 1, 1977) is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Yoshi Tatsu. Yamamoto started his professional wrestling career under his real name in October 2002 with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he remained until 2007, when he signed with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). In 2009, Yamamoto left WWE's developmental territory to join the promotion's main roster under the ring name Yoshi Tatsu (ヨシ・タツ, Yoshi Tatsu). After his release from WWE in June 2014, Yamamoto returned to NJPW the following October, performing under the tweaked ring name Yoshitatsu (ヨシタツ, Yoshitatsu). Following his departure from NJPW in late 2017, Yamamoto became a freelancer, and started working most notably for All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), who he signed full time for between 2020 and 2023.
Masahiko Tomouchi (塘内 将彦, Tomouchi Masahiko; born 13 July 1977 in Ōmuta, Fukuoka) is a Japanese judoka, who competed in…Masahiko Tomouchi (塘内 将彦, Tomouchi Masahiko; born 13 July 1977 in Ōmuta, Fukuoka) is a Japanese judoka, who competed in the men's half-middleweight category. He picked up a bronze medal in the 81-kg division at the 2004 Asian Judo Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and later represented his nation Japan at the 2004 Summer Olympics. Tomouchi qualified for the Japanese squad in the men's half-middleweight class (81 kg) at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, by placing third and receiving a berth from the Asian Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan. He got off to a rough start with a waza-ari awasete ippon defeat from Russia's Dmitri Nossov in his opening match, but bounced back to compete for the bronze medal after Nossov qualified for the final. In the repechage round, Tomouchi could not tightly grapple Italy's Roberto Meloni with a kata guruma (shoulder wheel), and lost the match again after the five-minute limit.
Seigo Saito (齋藤 制剛, Saitō Seigō; born 4 May 1977) is a retired Japanese judoka. Saito is from Sapporo, Hokkaidō. He…Seigo Saito (齋藤 制剛, Saitō Seigō; born 4 May 1977) is a retired Japanese judoka. Saito is from Sapporo, Hokkaidō. He belonged to Asahi Kasei after graduation from Kokushikan University in 2000. Saito was good at Uchimata and Newaza in high-school days and was expected to get medal of Olympic Games or World Championships in the future. But he was not able to use the skill of them by the trouble of knee like Anterior cruciate ligament injury since 2000. In 2005, he won a gold medal at the Asian Championships and All-Japan Selected Championships with the skill that he learned newly like Kata guruma, Ōuchi gari and Kuchiki taoshi. But he was not chosen as a Japanese representative at the World Championships held in Cairo. He has coached judo at Asahi Kasei since 2010. Among his students is Tatsuki Masubuchi Yohei Takai and so on. His younger brother, Masamichi (順道) is also famous judoka and won a gold medal at the Kodokan Cup in 2001.
Yoko Toyonaga (豊永 陽子, Toyonaga Yōko; born 15 April 1977) is a Japanese shot putter. She finished eighth at the 1999…Yoko Toyonaga (豊永 陽子, Toyonaga Yōko; born 15 April 1977) is a Japanese shot putter. She finished eighth at the 1999 World Indoor Championships and fourth at the 2005 Asian Championships. She also competed at the World Championships in 2005 and 2007 without reaching the finals. Her personal best throw is 17.57 metres, achieved in June 2004 in Tottori.
Kiyoko Shimahara (嶋原 清子; born 22 December 1976) is a Japanese long-distance runner who competes in marathon races. Her…Kiyoko Shimahara (嶋原 清子; born 22 December 1976) is a Japanese long-distance runner who competes in marathon races. Her personal best time is 2:25:10 hours, achieved in August 2009 in Sapporo. She is a member of the Second Wind running club in Japan. She represented her country at the 2007 World Championships in Athletics and at the Asian Games in 2006 and 2010 (winning the silver medal at the former edition). Born in the Ōshima District in Yamaguchi Prefecture, she attended Kokushikan University and graduated in 1999 with a degree in physical education. She made her debut over the marathon distance at the Japanese student championships in 1997. Her first marathon victory came at the 2003 Katsuta Marathon, where she ran a course record time of 2:31:10 hours. She came third at the Tokyo Marathon in 2003, then improved to second place behind Bruna Genovese at the same competition the following year, setting a personal best of 2:26:43 hours in the process. Shimahara improved further at the 2005 Hokkaido Marathon, running 2:26:14 and taking the runner-up spot. In 2006, opened her season with a personal best of 1:10:16 hours at the Miyazaki Half Marathon, then came third at the Osaka Ladies Marathon. She made her foreign debut at the Boston Marathon, where she finished in fifth place. She gained her first international call-up for Japan at the 2006 Asian Games and she was the marathon silver medallist behind China's Zhou Chunxiu. These performances led to her being selected for the Japanese women's marathon squad at the 2007 World Championships in Athletics. She finished sixth at the World Championships Marathon in Osaka. At the 2007 London Marathon, she withdrew mid-race for the first time, pulling up just after the halfway point due to breathing difficulties. At the start of 2008 she came eleventh at the Nagoya Marathon, but rebounded at the Chicago Marathon with a third-place finish to reach the podium. Shimahara ended her year with a win at the Honolulu Marathon in a time of 2:32:36 hours. Despite a sixth-place finish at the Tokyo Marathon, the 2009 season proved to be one of Shimahara's most successful. She won the Osaka Half Marathon then set a course record and personal best of 2:25:10 hours to win at the Hokkaido Marathon in Sapporo. She was the runner-up at both the Yokohama Marathon and the Honolulu race that year. Shimahara was fourth at the 2010 Nagano Marathon and was selected to compete for Japan at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou. However, she did not win a medal on her second performance at the Games, finishing fifth overall. In 2011, she was the runner-up at the Hokkaido Marathon and the inaugural Osaka Marathon. She also ran at the Tokyo Marathon that year but placed fifteenth in that race. She had only one outing in 2012: at the Osaka Marathon she came fifth in a time of 2:29:51 hours. A year passed before she returned to competition, again in Osaka, and she managed third on that occasion.
Passion Yara (パッション屋良, Passhon Yara; born Chōbyō Yara (屋良 朝苗, Yara Chōbyō), July 23, 1976 in the city of Nago, Okinawa)…Passion Yara (パッション屋良, Passhon Yara; born Chōbyō Yara (屋良 朝苗, Yara Chōbyō), July 23, 1976 in the city of Nago, Okinawa) is a Japanese comedian. He is perhaps best known for the angry, passionate chest-beating in his comedy routine. Passion Yara graduated from Kokushikan University's physical education department with the intention of becoming an educator. He is well-built, at 86 kg and 180 cm, and is capable of bench-pressing 160 kg. He enjoys bowling, darts, muscle training, touring, MTV, and canoeing. Yara has appeared on a variety of Japanese comedy-related TV shows and competitions in Japan, typically wearing a tight-fitting white gym outfit with an embroidered letter "P" on the collared shirt. His routine generally includes fits of maniacal, single-fisted chest-beating, for which he has gained some measure of notoriety. His act has been parodied by another Japanese comedian using the stage name "Dark Yara". Passion Yara performed his chest-beating act and other dance moves on the J-ska band Yum!Yum!ORANGE's music video for the song "Clover". Yara has also performed as a competitor on Sasuke (known in the United States as Ninja Warrior), having entered at least two competitions, the 16th and 21st. In the 16th competition, he entertained spectators with his chest-beating before succumbing to the Rolling Log obstacle early in Stage 1. Ninja Warrior later declared him to be the 5th craziest competitor in the history of the event, referring to him in an aired segment as "Screaming Wacko". In the 21st competition, he surpassed his previous performance by reaching the Jumping Spider in Stage 1, where he subsequently fell and was eliminated.
Shigeyuki Furuki (古城 茂幸, Furuki Shigeyuki; born January 12, 1976 in Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan) is a Japanese Nippon…Shigeyuki Furuki (古城 茂幸, Furuki Shigeyuki; born January 12, 1976 in Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan) is a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan's Central League. Before playing for the Giants he was a member of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. When he comes to bat, his fans often sing a cheer that goes to the tune of a song from the Super Nintendo Entertainment System game EarthBound.
Kazunori Kubota (窪田 和則, Kubota Kazunori; born 13 December 1975) is a Japanese judoka. Kubota is from Kawasaki…Kazunori Kubota (窪田 和則, Kubota Kazunori; born 13 December 1975) is a Japanese judoka. Kubota is from Kawasaki, Kanagawa. He began judo at the age of a 2nd grader and after graduation from Kokushikan University, he belonged to Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Kubota received a gold medal at the Jigoro Kano Cup in 1996 and silver medal at the World Masters Munich in 1997. He also participate Asian Games in 1998, but defeated by Kwak Ok-Chol from North Korea As of 2009, Kubota coaches judo at All-Japan national team and Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
Satoshi Watanabe (渡辺 聡, Watanabe Satoshi; born August 1, 1975) is a Japanese beach volleyball player who won a gold…Satoshi Watanabe (渡辺 聡, Watanabe Satoshi; born August 1, 1975) is a Japanese beach volleyball player who won a gold medal at the 2002 Asian Games.
Jin Sato (佐藤 尽, Satō Jin; born September 27, 1974) is a Japanese football manager and former player. He is the…Jin Sato (佐藤 尽, Satō Jin; born September 27, 1974) is a Japanese football manager and former player. He is the currently the manager for J2 League club Montedio Yamagata.
Hiroyoshi Takayama (高山啓義, Takayama Hiroyoshi; born 18 March 1974) is a Japanese football referee who has been a full…Hiroyoshi Takayama (高山啓義, Takayama Hiroyoshi; born 18 March 1974) is a Japanese football referee who has been a full international referee for FIFA. Takayama became a FIFA referee in 2004. He also refereed in 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Koki Tagashira (田頭 弘毅, Tagashira Kōki; born (1973-09-25)25 September 1973 in Fukushima Prefecture) is a Japanese male…Koki Tagashira (田頭 弘毅, Tagashira Kōki; born (1973-09-25)25 September 1973 in Fukushima Prefecture) is a Japanese male weightlifter, competing in the 56 kg category and representing Japan at international competitions. He participated at the 2000 Summer Olympics in the 56 kg event. He competed at world championships, most recently at the 1999 World Weightlifting Championships.
Kozo Takeda (Japanese: 武田幸三 Japanese pronunciation: [takeda koːzoː]; born December 27, 1972) is a Japanese actor and…Kozo Takeda (Japanese: 武田幸三 Japanese pronunciation: [takeda koːzoː]; born December 27, 1972) is a Japanese actor and former welterweight kickboxer who was competing in K-1 MAX. He won Rajadamnern Stadium champion at welterweight in Muay Thai on January 21, 2001. He has made both the Welterweight and Super Welterweight Rajadamnern Stadium rankings. He is currently a chief adviser of International Sohgoh Budo Federation (ISBF) and he was certified as black belt of the 5th dan in karate by ISBF.
Sayaka Aoki (あおき さやか, Aoki Sayaka; October 19, 1972) is a Japanese voice actress. She is affiliated with Bell…Sayaka Aoki (あおき さやか, Aoki Sayaka; October 19, 1972) is a Japanese voice actress. She is affiliated with Bell Production management. She is originally from Akita Prefecture. She sometimes uses Shizuka Aoki (青木 静香, Aoki Shizuka) for stage performances.
Kazuyuki Atsuzawa (厚澤 和幸, Atsuzawa Kazuyuki; born August 11, 1972) is a retired Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball…Kazuyuki Atsuzawa (厚澤 和幸, Atsuzawa Kazuyuki; born August 11, 1972) is a retired Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player. He is the current pitching coach for the Orix Buffaloes.
Masaki Tsuchihashi (土橋 正樹, Tsuchihashi Masaki; born July 23, 1972) is a former Japanese football player. He played for…Masaki Tsuchihashi (土橋 正樹, Tsuchihashi Masaki; born July 23, 1972) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Keiichiro Yamamiya (born July 12, 1972) is a Japanese former professional mixed martial artist. A veteran of 90 fights…Keiichiro Yamamiya (born July 12, 1972) is a Japanese former professional mixed martial artist. A veteran of 90 fights who began his career in 1996 and last competed in 2015, he fought in the UFC, Pancrase, DEEP, and World Victory Road. He was the inaugural King of Pancrase Light Heavyweight Champion.
Masahiro Ando (安藤 正裕, Andō Masahiro; born April 2, 1972) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Masahiro Ando (安藤 正裕, Andō Masahiro; born April 2, 1972) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Takahiro Wada (born 16 November 1971) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics and in the…Takahiro Wada (born 16 November 1971) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics and in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Hideki Nagai (永井 秀樹, Nagai Hideki; born 26 January 1971) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He is…Hideki Nagai (永井 秀樹, Nagai Hideki; born 26 January 1971) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He is current manager of Tokyo Verdy. His younger brother Atsushi Nagai is also a former footballer.
Harumi Hiroyama (Japanese: 弘山晴美; born 2 September 1968 in Naruto, Tokushima) is a Japanese long-distance runner. In her…Harumi Hiroyama (Japanese: 弘山晴美; born 2 September 1968 in Naruto, Tokushima) is a Japanese long-distance runner. In her early career she specialized in the 1500 and 3000 metres, but gradually she shifted to the 5000 metres, 10,000 metres and the marathon race. She won her first marathon in 2006 at the age of 37 when she beat Yoko Shibui to the finish to win the Nagoya International Women's Marathon.