Masaru Miyauchi (宮内 優, Miyauchi Masaru; born June 13, 1984 in Otofuke, Hokkaido) is a Japanese bobsledder who has…Masaru Miyauchi (宮内 優, Miyauchi Masaru; born June 13, 1984 in Otofuke, Hokkaido) is a Japanese bobsledder who has competed since 2009. He finished 21st in the four-man event at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Miyauchi's best World Cup finish was 25th in a four-man event at Park City, Utah in November 2009.
Atsuya Ota (太田 敦也, Ōta Atsuya; born April 6, 1984) is a Japanese professional basketball player. He currently plays for…Atsuya Ota (太田 敦也, Ōta Atsuya; born April 6, 1984) is a Japanese professional basketball player. He currently plays for the San-en NeoPhoenix club of the B.League in Japan. He represented Japan's national basketball team at the 2016 FIBA Asia Challenge. He did judo at the elementary school. There was no judo club in his junior high school and switched to basketball. He received entrance offers from 73 high schools and chose the Kashiwa High School in Chiba Prefecture, following the Nakamura's advice.
Haruna Fukuoka (福岡 春菜, Fukuoka Haruna) (born 25 January 1984 in Tokushima) is a Japanese table tennis player. She…Haruna Fukuoka (福岡 春菜, Fukuoka Haruna) (born 25 January 1984 in Tokushima) is a Japanese table tennis player. She competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics, reaching the third round of the singles competition. She also competed in the team competition, reaching the bronze medal final but losing to South Korea.
Ryuichi Shibata (柴田 隆一, Shibata Ryuichi; born December 14, 1983) is a Japanese swimmer, who specialized in butterfly…Ryuichi Shibata (柴田 隆一, Shibata Ryuichi; born December 14, 1983) is a Japanese swimmer, who specialized in butterfly events. He represented his nation Japan at the 2008 Summer Olympics and has won a career total of three medals (one silver and two bronze) in a major international competition, spanning the Asian Games, Pan Pacific Championships, and Summer Universiade. Shibata also established both his personal best and Japanese techsuit-era record of 1:51.30 at the 2007 FINA World Cup in Singapore, until it was finally smashed by Hidemasa Sano at the Japan Swimming Open in 2010. Shibata is a student at Nihon University in Tokyo. In 2006, Shibata won a bronze medal in the 200 m butterfly at the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar (1:56.44), and a silver at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada (1:55.82), finishing behind American swimmer and world-record holder Michael Phelps. Shibata competed for the Japanese squad in the men's 200 m butterfly at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Leading up to the Games, he cleared a FINA A-standard entry time of 1:55.57 at the Olympic Trials in Tokyo. Moreover, Shibata's surprising triumph dashed the hopes of two-time Olympic medalist Takashi Yamamoto, who finished behind him in third and thereby missed out on his fourth Olympic bid. Despite entering the semifinals with an eleventh-seeded time of 1:55.82 from the evening prelims, Shibata tried to command his lead over all-time Olympian Michael Phelps at the final turn of the race, but faded down the stretch to hit the wall in seventh position and twelfth overall. Shibata's semifinal mark of 1:56.17 was not worthy enough to advance him further to the top 8 final.
Nariyuki Masuda (増田 成幸, Nariyuki Masuda; born 23 October 1983) is a Japanese professional racing cyclist, who rides for…Nariyuki Masuda (増田 成幸, Nariyuki Masuda; born 23 October 1983) is a Japanese professional racing cyclist, who rides for UCI Continental team Astemo Utsunomiya Blitzen.
Tetsuya Kadoyama (born 22 October 1983) is a Japanese handball player for Toyota Auto Body and the Japanese national…Tetsuya Kadoyama (born 22 October 1983) is a Japanese handball player for Toyota Auto Body and the Japanese national team. He represented Japan at the 2019 World Men's Handball Championship.
Maximo Blanco (born October 16, 1983) is a Venezuelan professional mixed martial artist who last competed in the…Maximo Blanco (born October 16, 1983) is a Venezuelan professional mixed martial artist who last competed in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2008, Blanco is the former Lightweight King of Pancrase and has also competed in Strikeforce and World Victory Road.
Reina Umehara (梅原 玲奈, Umehara Reina; born 1 August 1983) is a Japanese freestyle skier. She competed in the 2018 Winter…Reina Umehara (梅原 玲奈, Umehara Reina; born 1 August 1983) is a Japanese freestyle skier. She competed in the 2018 Winter Olympics, in ski cross. She also participated in the 2009, 2011, 2015 and 2017 FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships.
Jiro Miki (三木 二郎, Miki Jiro; born May 31, 1983) is a Japanese former swimmer, who specialized in individual medley…Jiro Miki (三木 二郎, Miki Jiro; born May 31, 1983) is a Japanese former swimmer, who specialized in individual medley events. He is a two-time Olympian (2000 and 2004), a double Olympic finalist in both 200 and 400 m individual medley, and a silver medalist at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea. Miki made his first Japanese team, as a 17-year-old teen, at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. He failed to reach the top 8 final of the 200 m individual medley, finishing his semifinal run with a slowest time of 2:03.90. At the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea, Miki touched out China's Ouyang Kunpeng to earn a silver medal in the men's 200 m individual medley (2:02.07), giving Japan its straight 1–2 finish. Miki extended his swimming program at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, competing in two medley events. He achieved FINA A-standards of 1:59.99 (200 m individual medley) and 4:14.79 (400 m individual medley) from the Olympic trials in Tokyo. On the first day of the Games, Miki placed seventh in the 400 m individual medley with a time of 4:19.97, edging out Australia's Travis Nederpelt by 0.11 seconds. Five days later, in the 200 m individual medley, Miki rounded out the top 8 final to last place in 2:02.16, five seconds behind winner, U.S. swimmer, and eventual Olympic record holder Michael Phelps.
Sakaizawa Kenichi (born 11 April 1983 as Kenichi Sakaizawa) is a former sumo wrestler from Saitama, Japan. He made his…Sakaizawa Kenichi (born 11 April 1983 as Kenichi Sakaizawa) is a former sumo wrestler from Saitama, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 2006, and reached the top division in March 2008. His highest rank was maegashira 15. He was forced to retire by the Japan Sumo Association, as a result of the 2011 match-fixing scandal (yaocho).
Yasuyuki Kataoka (片岡 保幸, Kataoka Yasuyuki; born February 17, 1983 in Hanamigawa-ku, Chiba, Japan) is a Japanese former…Yasuyuki Kataoka (片岡 保幸, Kataoka Yasuyuki; born February 17, 1983 in Hanamigawa-ku, Chiba, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball player. He played for the Seibu Lions in Japan’s Pacific League and the Yomiuri Giants in the Central League. His wife is Japanese talent artist Becky. On 17 March 2020 the couple announced the birth of their first child, and their second child was born on 20 August 2021.
Takayuki Tanii (谷井孝行, Tanii Takayuki; born 14 February 1983 in Namerikawa) is a Japanese race walker. He competed in…Takayuki Tanii (谷井孝行, Tanii Takayuki; born 14 February 1983 in Namerikawa) is a Japanese race walker. He competed in the 50 kilometres walk event at the 2012 Summer Olympics, but failed to finish.
Naoki Kawamae (川前 直樹, Kawamae Naoki; born 6 November 1982) is a Japanese badminton player from the NTT East team. In…Naoki Kawamae (川前 直樹, Kawamae Naoki; born 6 November 1982) is a Japanese badminton player from the NTT East team. In 2012, he competed at the London Olympics, but did not advance to the knock-out stage after placing third in the group stage.
Saho Harada (原田 早穂, Harada Saho; born November 5, 1982) is a Japanese synchronized swimmer. She has competed at the…Saho Harada (原田 早穂, Harada Saho; born November 5, 1982) is a Japanese synchronized swimmer. She has competed at the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics. Saho Harada has introduced synchronised swimming in Malta, where she has formed various teams.
Azusa Nojiri (野尻 あずさ, Nojiri Azusa; born 6 June 1982) is a Japanese long-distance runner who competes in marathon…Azusa Nojiri (野尻 あずさ, Nojiri Azusa; born 6 June 1982) is a Japanese long-distance runner who competes in marathon races. Her personal best for the distance is 2:24:57 hours. She represented Japan in the marathon at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics, coming in 19th. Originally a cross-country skier, she participated at the 2005 Winter Universiade but switched to distance running instead. She competed at the 2010 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships and shared in the team bronze medal. She formerly ran for the Dai-Ichi Life corporate team and won the ekiden corporate title with them in 2011.
Norihito Kobayashi (小林 範仁, Kobayashi Norihito; born May 4, 1982) is a Japanese Nordic combined skier who has been…Norihito Kobayashi (小林 範仁, Kobayashi Norihito; born May 4, 1982) is a Japanese Nordic combined skier who has been competing since 2000. He won a gold medal in the 4 x 5 km team event at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2009 in Liberec and earned his best individual finish of fifth in the 10 km individual normal hill at those same championships. Kobayashi also competed in three Winter Olympics, earning his best finish of sixth twice (4 x 5 km team: 2006, 2010 while his best individual finish was seventh in the 10 km individual normal hill event at Vancouver in 2010. His best World Cup finish was fourth twice, both in 7.5 km sprint events (2006, 2008). He has four individual victories, all in lesser events (One in 2001, two in 2003, and one in 2009).
Keiichiro Nagashima (長島 圭一郎, Nagashima Keiichirō; born 20 April 1982) is a Japanese long track speed skater…Keiichiro Nagashima (長島 圭一郎, Nagashima Keiichirō; born 20 April 1982) is a Japanese long track speed skater specialising in the sprint distances 500 and 1000 metres. Nagashima has won two World Cup races and has three Japanese domestic titles. He is a member of the Nidec Sankyo speed skating team.
Yuzuru Tachikawa (立川 譲, Tachikawa Yuzuru; born December 2, 1981) is a Japanese anime director. Starting his career at…Yuzuru Tachikawa (立川 譲, Tachikawa Yuzuru; born December 2, 1981) is a Japanese anime director. Starting his career at Madhouse, he is known for directing the anime series Death Parade, Mob Psycho 100, and Deca-Dence.
Emiko Suzuki (鈴木 絵美子, Suzuki Emiko; born November 12, 1981) is a Japanese synchronized swimmer. She has competed at the…Emiko Suzuki (鈴木 絵美子, Suzuki Emiko; born November 12, 1981) is a Japanese synchronized swimmer. She has competed at the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics.
Takumi Wada (和田 拓三, Wada Takumi; born October 20, 1981) is a former Japanese football player. He has the dubious…Takumi Wada (和田 拓三, Wada Takumi; born October 20, 1981) is a former Japanese football player. He has the dubious distinction of having been relegated with four clubs in five years from 2007 to 2011 (Yokohama FC, Tokyo Verdy, JEF United Chiba and Avispa Fukuoka).
Hiromasa Tanaka (Japanese: 田中宏昌; born 28 September 1981) is a Japanese decathlete. He won five straight national…Hiromasa Tanaka (Japanese: 田中宏昌; born 28 September 1981) is a Japanese decathlete. He won five straight national decathlon titles from 2004 to 2008 and was the gold medallist in the event at the 2009 Asian Athletics Championships. He also represented Japan at the 2007 World Championships. Hailing from Ōbatake, Yamaguchi, Tanaka established himself domestically with back-to-back decathlon wins at the Japanese Athletics Championships in 2004 and 2005. On his first international appearance, he won the bronze medal at the 2005 Asian Athletics Championships, finishing behind Pavel Andreev and Kim Kun-Woo. He took a third consecutive national title in 2006, a winning streak that would continue until 2009 when he was beaten by Daisuke Ikeda. At the 2006 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships he missed out on a medal in the indoor heptathlon, although he achieved 5340 points in his first major outing in the event. He scored a personal best total of 7803 points for decathlon in Kanazawa in June 2006, but at his first Asian Games that year he was far off this form and, after he failed to produce a mark in the pole vault, he finished in tenth place. As the reigning national champion, Tanaka gained selection for the 2007 World Championships in Athletics, held in Osaka, and he finished in 19th place overall. Tanaka won his first indoor medal at the 2008 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, taking the bronze at the event in Doha. In the absence of Dmitriy Karpov and the defending champion Ahmed Hassan Moussa, he won the 2009 Asian Athletics Championships. He missed the 2010 Asian Games.
Yuki Yoshimura (芳村裕生, Yuki Yoshimura; born September 9, 1981) is a Japanese gymnast. Yoshimura was part of the Japanese…Yuki Yoshimura (芳村裕生, Yuki Yoshimura; born September 9, 1981) is a Japanese gymnast. Yoshimura was part of the Japanese team that won the silver medal in the team event at the 2006 Asian Games.
Daiji Yamada (山田 大治、born June 8, 1981) is a Japanese former professional basketball player. Yamada also was a long-time…Daiji Yamada (山田 大治、born June 8, 1981) is a Japanese former professional basketball player. Yamada also was a long-time member of the Japan national basketball team, playing for the team in the 2006 FIBA World Championship and both the FIBA Asia Championship 2007 and FIBA Asia Championship 2009. He made his debut for the national team in 1999 at the FIBA World Championship for Junior Men Yamada averaged 7 points and 2.3 rebounds per game for the host Japanese at the 2006 FIBA World Championship. In his most recent national team appearance, Yamada averaged 10 points and 4.6 rebounds per game for the Japanese at the FIBA Asia Championship 2009 tournament. Despite his performance, Japan stumbled to a disappointing tenth place finish, its worst ever performance in 24 FIBA Asia Championship appearances. Yamada played professionally with Hokkaido in the JBL Super League. In the 2009-10 season, Yamada entered the month-long winter break averaging 14 points and 4.9 rebounds per game for the Alvark.
Satoyama Kōsaku (born May 31, 1981) is a retired professional sumo wrestler from Ōshima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. A…Satoyama Kōsaku (born May 31, 1981) is a retired professional sumo wrestler from Ōshima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. A former amateur sumo champion at Nihon University, he entered professional sumo in 2004 and first reached the top makuuchi division in 2007. His highest rank was maegashira 12. He spent much of his career in the jūryō and makushita divisions, and won a yusho or tournament championship in each. He won promotion back to the top division in 2014 after a seven-year and 37-tournament absence, the longest ever. He was a member of Onoe stable. He retired in November 2018 and is an elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name of Chiganoura.
Kosuke Iwase (岩瀬浩介, Iwase Kosuke; born April 8, 1981 in Ibaraki) is a Japanese former professional football player. He…Kosuke Iwase (岩瀬浩介, Iwase Kosuke; born April 8, 1981 in Ibaraki) is a Japanese former professional football player. He is currently the chairman of the Blaublitz Akita, a Japanese association football team based in Akita, Akita.
Shohei Tateyama (館山 昌平, Tateyama Shōhei; born March 3, 1981) is a former Japanese professional baseball pitcher and…Shohei Tateyama (館山 昌平, Tateyama Shōhei; born March 3, 1981) is a former Japanese professional baseball pitcher and currently pitting coach for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of the NPB.
Taiji Nishitani (西谷泰治, Nishitani Taiji; born 1 February 1981, in Hiroshima Prefecture) is a Japanese former…Taiji Nishitani (西谷泰治, Nishitani Taiji; born 1 February 1981, in Hiroshima Prefecture) is a Japanese former professional racing cyclist who competed professionally between 2006 and 2014, entirely for the Aisan Racing Team. He was the winner of the Japanese National Road Race Championships in 2009. He retired at the end of the 2014 season, and now works as a directeur sportif for the Aisan Racing Team. He joined Aisan Racing Team soon after graduating from Nihon University and had success on the UCI Asia Tour. He was the third Japanese to win a stage at the HC classified Tour de Langkawi. In addition to road races, Nishitani also represented Japan in international track cycling competitions, riding in such events as the scratch race, Madison, and omnium.
Shuichi Murata (村田 修一, Murata Shūichi; born December 28, 1980) is a Japanese former professional baseball third…Shuichi Murata (村田 修一, Murata Shūichi; born December 28, 1980) is a Japanese former professional baseball third baseman. He played 15 seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 2003 to 2017 for the Yokohama BayStars and Yomiuri Giants. Murata led the Central League in home runs in both 2007 and 2008 and is one of the few pure home run hitters in Japanese professional baseball today. He played in the 2008 Beijing Olympics as well as the 2009 World Baseball Classic as a member of the Japanese national team and hit cleanup for much of the latter tournament.
Masako Ishida (石田 正子, Ishida Masako) (born November 5, 1980) is a Japanese cross-country skier who has competed since…Masako Ishida (石田 正子, Ishida Masako) (born November 5, 1980) is a Japanese cross-country skier who has competed since 1998. Her best World Cup finish was third in the 30 km event in Norway in 2009. Competing in five Winter Olympics, Ishida earned her best finish of fifth in the 30 km event at Vancouver in 2010. She competed at the 2022 Winter Olympics, in Women's 10 kilometre classical, Women's 30 kilometre freestyle, Women's 15 kilometre skiathlon, and Women's 4 × 5 kilometre relay. Her best finish at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships was fourth in the team sprint event at Liberec in 2009. Attending five consecutive Olympic Games and eleven World Championships, she holds a world record in all categories except pistol shooting.
Tomoo Amino (網野 友雄, Amino Tomoo; born September 25, 1980) is a former Japanese professional basketball player. He…Tomoo Amino (網野 友雄, Amino Tomoo; born September 25, 1980) is a former Japanese professional basketball player. He played for the Aisin Seahorses of the JBL Super League. Amino also was a member of the Japan national basketball team. He played for the team in the 2006 FIBA World Championship and the FIBA Asia Championship 2007 and FIBA Asia Championship 2009. Amino played professionally with the Aisin Seahorses of the JBL Super League. In the 2009-10 season, Amino entered the month-long winter break averaging 4.5 points per game for the Seahorses. Despite this, the popular Amino was voted by fans as a starter to the West squad for the 2009-10 JBL Super League All-Star game.
Wataru Yamazaki (山崎 渡, Yamazaki Wataru; born September 18, 1980) is a former Japanese football player. He first played…Wataru Yamazaki (山崎 渡, Yamazaki Wataru; born September 18, 1980) is a former Japanese football player. He first played for Nihon University in 2003 and later transferred to Thespa Kusatsu in 2010 after 7 years.
Daichi Sawano (澤野大地, Sawano Daichi; born 16 September 1980 in Nishiyodogawa-ku, Osaka and raised in Chiba Prefecture)…Daichi Sawano (澤野大地, Sawano Daichi; born 16 September 1980 in Nishiyodogawa-ku, Osaka and raised in Chiba Prefecture) is a Japanese pole vaulter. His personal best is 5.83 metres, which is the current Japanese National Record (as of 2019/01/01) achieved in May 2005 in Shizuoka. Sawano is a three-time Olympian (2004, 2008, 2016), two-time Olympic Finalist, whose best finish was 7th at the Rio Olympics (2016). Sawano is currently coached by the staff at the University of Japan (Nichidai) and USA Track and Field National Pole Vault Chair, Brian Yokoyama. He was formerly coached by former Japanese record holder Teruyasu Yonekura and renown Japanese pole coach Yamazaki.
Yūsuke Takahashi (高橋 祐介, Takahashi Yūsuke; born 12 September 1980) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Yūsuke Takahashi (高橋 祐介, Takahashi Yūsuke; born 12 September 1980) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives.
Seiko Yamamoto (山本 聖子, Yamamoto Seiko; born 22 August 1980) is a Japanese wrestler and submission grappler. She is a…Seiko Yamamoto (山本 聖子, Yamamoto Seiko; born 22 August 1980) is a Japanese wrestler and submission grappler. She is a four time World Wrestling Champion, two time Asian Wrestling Champion and an ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship medallist.
Eiji Iwamoto (岩本 英嗣, Iwamoto Eiji; born August 1, 1980) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. He is the 1999…Eiji Iwamoto (岩本 英嗣, Iwamoto Eiji; born August 1, 1980) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. He is the 1999 Triglav Trophy champion and competed at the 2000 World Junior Championships, where he placed 24th. He competed in three seasons of the ISU Junior Grand Prix, winning the silver medal at the 1998 event in Mexico. His highest placement at the senior Japanese Championships was 6th. Iwamoto retired from competitive skating following his graduation from university. He now works as a coach and choreographer.
Keiji Takei (born 1 June 1980) is a Japanese former international rugby union player. A fullback from Kanagawa…Keiji Takei (born 1 June 1980) is a Japanese former international rugby union player. A fullback from Kanagawa Prefecture, Takei was capped six times by Japan between 2004 and 2006, which included qualifying matches for the 2007 Rugby World Cup. He scored five international tries. Takei played his club rugby for NEC Green Rockets in Japan's Top League. In 2013, Takei announced his retirement from professional rugby to focus on his career in the corporate sector.
Ryōgo Narita (Japanese: 成田 良悟, Hepburn: Narita Ryōgo; born May 30, 1980) is a Japanese light novelist and manga writer.…Ryōgo Narita (Japanese: 成田 良悟, Hepburn: Narita Ryōgo; born May 30, 1980) is a Japanese light novelist and manga writer. He won the Gold Prize in the 9th Dengeki Novel Prize for Baccano!, which was made into an anime television series in 2007. His series Durarara!! was also made into two anime television series, one airing January 2010 and the second in January 2015.
Hirotaka Usui (臼井 弘貴, Usui Hirotaka; born 6 April 1980) is a Japanese football manager. He was once in charge of…Hirotaka Usui (臼井 弘貴, Usui Hirotaka; born 6 April 1980) is a Japanese football manager. He was once in charge of Singapore Premier League side Geylang International, and is currently employed as the Assistant Manager of J2 League side Blaublitz Akita.
Ryuta Sato (佐藤 隆太, Satō Ryūta; born February 27, 1980, in Meguro, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese actor and tarento…Ryuta Sato (佐藤 隆太, Satō Ryūta; born February 27, 1980, in Meguro, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese actor and tarento represented by K Factory. Sato graduated from Nihon University Sakuragaoka High School and Nihon University College of Art, where he was classmates with Kunihiro Suda. Sato is married and has three children.
Hitomi Kashima (鹿島 瞳, Kashima Hitomi; born February 26, 1980) is a retired Japanese female butterfly swimmer. She…Hitomi Kashima (鹿島 瞳, Kashima Hitomi; born February 26, 1980) is a retired Japanese female butterfly swimmer. She represented Japan at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. She also won a silver medal at the 1997 FINA Short Course World Championships.
Toshio Imamura (今村 俊雄, Imamura Toshio; born (1979-12-25)25 December 1979 in Enzan) is a Japanese male weightlifter…Toshio Imamura (今村 俊雄, Imamura Toshio; born (1979-12-25)25 December 1979 in Enzan) is a Japanese male weightlifter, competing in the 62 kg category and representing Japan at international competitions. He participated at the 2004 Summer Olympics in the 62 kg event. He competed at world championships, most recently at the 2007 World Weightlifting Championships.
Yukifumi Murakami (村上 幸史, Murakami Yukifumi; born 23 December 1979 in Kamijima, Ehime) is a Japanese javelin thrower.…Yukifumi Murakami (村上 幸史, Murakami Yukifumi; born 23 December 1979 in Kamijima, Ehime) is a Japanese javelin thrower. He was the first Japanese athlete to win a World Championship medal in the javelin, taking bronze at the 2009 edition with a throw of 82.97 metres. He was successful as a junior athlete and won the bronze medal in the javelin at the 1998 World Junior Championships in Athletics. He established himself as one of Asia's top throwers in the following years, winning silver medals at the 2001 East Asian Games, 2002 Asian Games, and the 2003 Asian Athletics Championships. His first global appearance was at the 2004 Summer Olympics and he finished 18th overall in the final rankings. The 2005 World Championships in Athletics was his next major tournament where he could only finish in 27th place with a disappointing throw of 68.31 m. He was runner-up for a second time at the 2006 Asian Games and took part in the 2008 Summer Olympics two years later. Murakami was voted the Japanese athlete of the year for 2009 by both Rikujyo Kyougi Magazine (Track and Field Magazine of Japan) and the Japan Association of Athletics Federations. These awards capped a decade of national dominance – with ten consecutive wins, he won the javelin at every national championships in the 2000s. His performance at the 2009 World Championships included a personal best of 83.10 m to qualify for the final, and 82.97 m to win the bronze medal – his second best ever throw. He finished the year with a gold medal performance at the 2009 Asian Athletics Championships. He started 2010 with a throw of 82.49 m in Wakayama in April – his longest throw achieved in Japan. He extended his consecutive national title run to eleven in June, out-throwing Nobuhiro Sato by four metres. On April 29, 2013, he extended his personal best by more than 2 meters to 85.96, more than 1 meter longer than the London Olympic winning throw, and 2nd best by a Japanese javelin thrower after Kazuhiro Mizoguchi.
Yu Irie (入江 悠, Irie Yū; born November 25, 1979) is a Japanese film director / screenwriter who was born in Yokohama…Yu Irie (入江 悠, Irie Yū; born November 25, 1979) is a Japanese film director / screenwriter who was born in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, and grew up in Fukaya, Saitama Prefecture. After a number of short films, including Obsession and Seven Drives which were screened at the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival in 2003 and 2004, Irie directed two softcore erotic V-Cinema videos in 2007, Cream Lemon 7 and Swimsuit Spy - SPY GIRLS. The latter video, an erotic comedy, starred AV Idol Mihiro. In 2009 the second feature film he directed, 8000 Miles (SR サイタマノラッパー, SR: Saitama no Rapper), won the grand prize in the Off Theatre Competition at the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival. It also earned Irie the Directors Guild of Japan New Directors Award. The film follows four friends from suburban Fukuya (punned on Fukaya) who dream of becoming rap stars. The mostly amateur cast also included adult video actress Mihiro.
Hisashi Kikuta (菊田 悠, Kikuta Hisashi; born November 13, 1979), better known as Kick (キック, Kikku; originally as KICK☆)…Hisashi Kikuta (菊田 悠, Kikuta Hisashi; born November 13, 1979), better known as Kick (キック, Kikku; originally as KICK☆), is a Japanese comedian and writer who is represented by the talent agency, Horipro. He was born in Tokyo, and graduated from Toho Junior and Senior High School and Japan University of the Arts Faculty Department of Photography.
Noriko Fukushima (福島のり子, Fukushima Noriko; born (1979-10-18)October 18, 1979) is a Japanese freestyle skier…Noriko Fukushima (福島のり子, Fukushima Noriko; born (1979-10-18)October 18, 1979) is a Japanese freestyle skier, specializing in ski cross. Fukushima competed at the 2010 Winter Olympics for Japan. She placed 21st in the qualifying round in ski cross, to advance to the knockout stages. She finish third in her first round heat, failing to advance. As of April 2013, her best finish at the World Championships is 6th, in 2005. Fukushima made her World Cup debut in January 2004. As of April 2013, she has one World Cup podium finish, a third place coming at Flaine in 2007–08. Her best World Cup overall finish in ski cross is 5th, in 2007–08.
Yūji Kobayashi (Japanese: 小林 雄次, Hepburn: Kobayashi Yūji; born September 3, 1979) is a Japanese screenwriter and…Yūji Kobayashi (Japanese: 小林 雄次, Hepburn: Kobayashi Yūji; born September 3, 1979) is a Japanese screenwriter and novelist that is mostly known for his work on Garo series, Ultraman franchise, and the first three seasons of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal series.
