Kai Ishizawa (born 23 November 1996) is a Japanese professional boxer. He is a one-time world title challenger, having…Kai Ishizawa (born 23 November 1996) is a Japanese professional boxer. He is a one-time world title challenger, having fought for the WBO mini flyweight title in 2022.
Sara Takanashi (高梨 沙羅, Takanashi Sara) (born 8 October 1996) is a Japanese ski jumper. She is one of the most…Sara Takanashi (高梨 沙羅, Takanashi Sara) (born 8 October 1996) is a Japanese ski jumper. She is one of the most successful female ski jumpers to date, as well as one of the most successful athletes in the history of the sport, having won four World Cup overall titles (an all-time female record), seven World Championship medals, and two bronze Winter Olympics medals. As of October 2026, Takanashi holds the record for the most individual World Cup wins, male or female, with 63. She also has three Guinness World Records certificates for the most podium finishes in the Ski Jumping World Cup, the most individual victories by a female in the Ski Jumping World Cup, and the most Ski Jumping World Cup individual victories in a career (overall).
Ryo Watanabe (渡邊 龍, Watanabe Ryo; born 24 September 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a…Ryo Watanabe (渡邊 龍, Watanabe Ryo; born 24 September 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Vanraure Hachinohe.
Kenzō Shirai (白井 健三, Shirai Kenzō; born August 24, 1996) is a Japanese retired artistic gymnast. He was a member of the…Kenzō Shirai (白井 健三, Shirai Kenzō; born August 24, 1996) is a Japanese retired artistic gymnast. He was a member of the gold medal winning teams at the 2016 Olympic Games and the 2015 World Championships. Individually he was the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist on vault, a three-time World Champion on floor exercise (2013, 2015, 2017), and the 2017 World Champion on vault.
Manaka Kubota (born 9 July 1996) is a Japanese sprint canoer who competed at the 2020 Olympics in the C-2 500 metres…Manaka Kubota (born 9 July 1996) is a Japanese sprint canoer who competed at the 2020 Olympics in the C-2 500 metres sprint event alongside Teruko Kiriake, and in the C-1 200 metres.
Ryuya Mura (武良竜也, Mura Ryūya, born 3 July 1996) is a Japanese breaststroke swimmer. He competed in the 2020 Summer…Ryuya Mura (武良竜也, Mura Ryūya, born 3 July 1996) is a Japanese breaststroke swimmer. He competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics. ,
Sakura Akaho (赤穂 さくら, Akaho Sakura; born April 30, 1996) is a Japanese basketball player for Denso Iris and the…Sakura Akaho (赤穂 さくら, Akaho Sakura; born April 30, 1996) is a Japanese basketball player for Denso Iris and the Japanese national team. She participated at the 2017 FIBA Women's Asia Cup.
Ayano Sakurai (born 15 April 1996) is a Japanese rugby union player. She competed for Japan at the 2017 and 2025…Ayano Sakurai (born 15 April 1996) is a Japanese rugby union player. She competed for Japan at the 2017 and 2025 Women's Rugby World Cups.
Taishin Minamide (南出大伸, Minamide Taishin, born 13 April 1996) is a Japanese marathon swimmer. He competed in the 2020…Taishin Minamide (南出大伸, Minamide Taishin, born 13 April 1996) is a Japanese marathon swimmer. He competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Kanon Miyahara (宮原 華音, Miyahara Kanon; born April 8, 1996) is a Japanese model, actress and professional kickboxer. She…Kanon Miyahara (宮原 華音, Miyahara Kanon; born April 8, 1996) is a Japanese model, actress and professional kickboxer. She is known for her role as Sakura Yamanami in the 2014 film High Kick Angels, and a live-action portrayal of Saya Kisaragi in Blood-C series. She was born in Akita Prefecture but raised in Tokyo. She graduated from Nihon Newart High School and Nippon Sport Science University. She is a first dan holder in karate and judo.
Hisui Haza (羽座 妃粋, Haza Hisui; born March 16, 1996) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender. She plays for…Hisui Haza (羽座 妃粋, Haza Hisui; born March 16, 1996) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender. She plays for INAC Kobe Leonessa in the WE League and for the Japan national team.
Shusuke Ota (太田 修介, Ōta Shūsuke; born February 23, 1996) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a forward for J2 League…Shusuke Ota (太田 修介, Ōta Shūsuke; born February 23, 1996) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a forward for J2 League club Shonan Bellmare.
Boniface Nduka (ンドカ・ボニフェイス, Ndoka Bonifeisu; born 15 February 1996) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender…Boniface Nduka (ンドカ・ボニフェイス, Ndoka Bonifeisu; born 15 February 1996) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender for J1 League club JEF United Chiba, on loan from Vissel Kobe.
Yūji Wakasa (輪笠 祐士, Wakasa Yūji; born February 9, 1996) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder for J3…Yūji Wakasa (輪笠 祐士, Wakasa Yūji; born February 9, 1996) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder for J3 League club Renofa Yamaguchi.
Rei Higuchi (Japanese: 樋口黎; born 28 January 1996) is a Japanese freestyle wrestler. He won the gold medal in the men's…Rei Higuchi (Japanese: 樋口黎; born 28 January 1996) is a Japanese freestyle wrestler. He won the gold medal in the men's freestyle 57 kg event at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. He won a silver medal in the 57 kg division at the 2016 Olympics. He won the gold medal in the 61 kg event at the 2022 World Wrestling Championships held in Belgrade, Serbia.
Sayuri Sugimoto (杉本 早裕吏, Sugimoto Sayuri; born (1996-01-25)25 January 1996) is a Japanese former rhythmic gymnast and…Sayuri Sugimoto (杉本 早裕吏, Sugimoto Sayuri; born (1996-01-25)25 January 1996) is a Japanese former rhythmic gymnast and captain of the national group. At the 2019 World Championships, she led Japan to its first-ever World title. She is a 2019 World group all-around silver medalist and a 2017 World group all-around bronze medalist. She represented Japan at the 2016 and 2020 Summer Olympics.
Arisa Kimishima (君嶋 愛梨沙, Kimishima Arisa; born 23 December 1995 in Iwakuni) is a Japanese bobsledder and sprinter. As a…Arisa Kimishima (君嶋 愛梨沙, Kimishima Arisa; born 23 December 1995 in Iwakuni) is a Japanese bobsledder and sprinter. As a bobsledder, she competed in the two-woman event at the 2017 World Championships. As a sprinter, she is a former Japanese junior high school record holder in the 200 metres and the 2009 Japanese junior high school champion.
Ikumi Iwabuchi (born 14 December 1995) is a Japanese handball player for Omron Corporation and the Japanese national…Ikumi Iwabuchi (born 14 December 1995) is a Japanese handball player for Omron Corporation and the Japanese national team. She represented Japan at the 2021 World Women's Handball Championship in Spain.
Niina Kishimoto (岸本 新菜, born 30 November 1995) is a Japanese triathlete. She competed in the women's event at the 2020…Niina Kishimoto (岸本 新菜, born 30 November 1995) is a Japanese triathlete. She competed in the women's event at the 2020 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan. She also competed in the mixed relay event.
Sasada Natsumi (笹田 夏実, born 31 August 1995) is a Japanese former artistic gymnast. She was part of the silver medalist…Sasada Natsumi (笹田 夏実, born 31 August 1995) is a Japanese former artistic gymnast. She was part of the silver medalist team at the 2015 Summer Universiade, where she also won a bronze medal in the individual all-around competition; she won an individual silver at the 2017 Summer Universiade on the balance beam. Sasada also competed for Japan in the first-ever Youth Olympic Games in 2010.
Maki Takano (born 17 August 1995) is a Japanese rugby union player. She competed for Japan at the 2017 and 2021 Rugby…Maki Takano (born 17 August 1995) is a Japanese rugby union player. She competed for Japan at the 2017 and 2021 Rugby World Cups.
Konosuke Takeshita (竹下 幸之介, Takeshita Kōnosuke; born May 29, 1995; ring-name stylized in all caps) is a Japanese…Konosuke Takeshita (竹下 幸之介, Takeshita Kōnosuke; born May 29, 1995; ring-name stylized in all caps) is a Japanese professional wrestler. As of November 2022, he is signed to the American promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW). He has also been signed to Japanese promotions DDT Pro-Wrestling since 2011, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) since January 2025. Takeshita was named the Rookie of the Year by Tokyo Sports in 2013 and is a five-time KO-D Openweight Champion, having first won the title on his 21st birthday to become the youngest holder in its history. He went on to become a four-time KO-D Tag Team Champion, five-time KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Champion, four-time Ironman Heavymetalweight Champion, one-time winner of the Ultimate Tag League (2021), two-time winner of the King of DDT Tournament (2019 and 2021), and record-setting two-time winner of the D-Oh Grand Prix (2019 and 2021 II). He signed with AEW in 2022, winning the AEW International Championship twice. He is also a one-time NEVER Openweight Champion in NJPW and the 35th G1 Climax tournament winner, the latter of which led to him becoming a one-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
Shohei Yabiku (屋比久翔平, Yabiku Shōhei; born January 4, 1995) is a Japanese Greco-Roman wrestler. He qualified for the…Shohei Yabiku (屋比久翔平, Yabiku Shōhei; born January 4, 1995) is a Japanese Greco-Roman wrestler. He qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympics, having finished runner-up to Akzhol Makhmudov in men's Greco-Roman 77 kg at the 2021 Asian Qualification Tournament in Almaty, Kazakhstan. In the 77 kg event, Yabiku won a bronze medal. He competed in the 77 kg event at the 2022 World Wrestling Championships held in Belgrade, Serbia.
Ryo Takano (高野 遼, Takano Ryo; born November 13, 1994) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a left back…Ryo Takano (高野 遼, Takano Ryo; born November 13, 1994) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a left back for J.League club Matsumoto Yamaga FC.
Tomohiro Yamamoto (山本智大, Yamamoto Tomohiro; born 5 November 1994) is a Japanese national volleyball player from Ebetsu…Tomohiro Yamamoto (山本智大, Yamamoto Tomohiro; born 5 November 1994) is a Japanese national volleyball player from Ebetsu, Hokkaido. He plays in V.League division 1 for Panasonic Panthers.
Sae Tsuji (辻 沙絵, Tsuji Sae; born 28 October 1994) is a Paralympic athlete of Japan with a unilateral upper limb…Sae Tsuji (辻 沙絵, Tsuji Sae; born 28 October 1994) is a Paralympic athlete of Japan with a unilateral upper limb impairment who was a medalist in Athletics at the 2016 Summer Paralympics.
Dai Aoki (born 24 October 1994) is a Japanese judoka. He is the gold medallist of the 2016 Judo Grand Prix Budapest in…Dai Aoki (born 24 October 1994) is a Japanese judoka. He is the gold medallist of the 2016 Judo Grand Prix Budapest in the –60 kg category.
Mizuho Kataoka (片岡瑞帆, born 11 October 1994 ) is a Japanese women's rugby union player. She competed for Japan at the…Mizuho Kataoka (片岡瑞帆, born 11 October 1994 ) is a Japanese women's rugby union player. She competed for Japan at the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup.
Yuya Kamoto (神本 雄也, Kamoto Yūya; born 14 September 1994 in Tokyo) is a Japanese artistic gymnast and part of the…Yuya Kamoto (神本 雄也, Kamoto Yūya; born 14 September 1994 in Tokyo) is a Japanese artistic gymnast and part of the national team. He won the gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games in men's gymnastics artistic individual all-around, as well as in the parallel bars and in the team event, held in Incheon, South Korea. He also won the bronze medal in men's floor gymnastics at the 2014 Asian Games.
Sayaka Akase (赤瀬 紗也香, Akase Sayaka; born August 25, 1994) is a Japanese competitive swimmer who specializes in…Sayaka Akase (赤瀬 紗也香, Akase Sayaka; born August 25, 1994) is a Japanese competitive swimmer who specializes in backstroke. She won the gold medal in the 200 meter backstroke at the 2014 Asian Games. She also won the bronze medal in the 200 meter backstroke and the 4x100 meter relay at the 2014 FINA Short-Course Swimming Championships. She has also competed in the 2013 and 2015 World Aquatics Championships, and the 2014 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships. She has produced a total of 3 international medals, with 1 gold and 2 bronze.
Chisato Doihata (土井畑 知里, Doihata Chisato; born 9 August 1994) is a Japanese individual and synchronised trampoline…Chisato Doihata (土井畑 知里, Doihata Chisato; born 9 August 1994) is a Japanese individual and synchronised trampoline gymnast, representing her nation at international competitions. She competed at world championships, including at the 2011, 2013 and 2015 Trampoline World Championships. She was employed by the Mitsubishi Electric on 1 April 2017.
Kazuma Takai (高井 和馬, Takai Kazuma; born August 5, 1994) is a Japanese football player who play as an offensive…Kazuma Takai (高井 和馬, Takai Kazuma; born August 5, 1994) is a Japanese football player who play as an offensive midfielder and currently play for J3 League club, SC Sagamihara.
Miyu Otsuka (大塚 美優, Ōtsuka Miyu) is a Japanese swimmer who competes in the Women's 400m individual medley. At the 2012…Miyu Otsuka (大塚 美優, Ōtsuka Miyu) is a Japanese swimmer who competes in the Women's 400m individual medley. At the 2012 Summer Olympics she finished 12th overall in the heats in the Women's 400 metre individual medley and failed to reach the final.
Yunoka Furukawa (古川湯の香, Furukawa Yunoka; born 24 May 1994) is a Japanese professional boxer who held the WBA female…Yunoka Furukawa (古川湯の香, Furukawa Yunoka; born 24 May 1994) is a Japanese professional boxer who held the WBA female atomweight title from 2016 to 2017.
Ayumu Nedefuji (子出藤 歩夢, Nedefuji Ayumu; born 7 April 1994, in Otaru) is a Japanese snowboarder. He was a participant at…Ayumu Nedefuji (子出藤 歩夢, Nedefuji Ayumu; born 7 April 1994, in Otaru) is a Japanese snowboarder. He was a participant at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Shinobu Ota (太田 忍, Ōta Shinobu; born December 28, 1993) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and former Greco-Roman…Shinobu Ota (太田 忍, Ōta Shinobu; born December 28, 1993) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and former Greco-Roman wrestler who currently competes in the Bantamweight division of Rizin Fighting Federation. Throughout his career, he notably claimed the 2016 Olympic silver medal at 59kg, the '19 World Championship at 63kg, the '18 Asian Games Gold medal at 60kg and three Asian Championship medals (champion in 2018 at 60 kg).
Atsuto Iida (born 24 December 1993) is a water polo player from Japan. He was part of the Japanese team at the 2016…Atsuto Iida (born 24 December 1993) is a water polo player from Japan. He was part of the Japanese team at the 2016 Summer Olympics, where the team was eliminated in the group stage.
Hikari Nagashima (born 2 December 1993) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defender for WE League…Hikari Nagashima (born 2 December 1993) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defender for WE League club Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara.
Yota Tsuji (辻 陽太, Tsuji Yōta; born September 8, 1993) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan…Yota Tsuji (辻 陽太, Tsuji Yōta; born September 8, 1993) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a member of the Unbound Co. stable and is the current IWGP Heavyweight Champion in his second reign. Tsuji made his debut for NJPW in April 2018 as a "Young Lion", working as one for the next three years until going on an overseas excursion. He initially wrestled for Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro) in the United Kingdom before moving to Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) in Mexico, where he worked under the mononym Yota. Tsuji returned to NJPW in May 2023 and has since won the 2024 New Japan Cup, became a one-time NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion with Bushi and Hiromu Takahashi, a two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, and two-time IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion. He has also wrestled for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in the United States.
Makoto Odakura (小田倉 真, born 20 July 1993) is a Japanese triathlete. He competed in the men's event at the 2020 Summer…Makoto Odakura (小田倉 真, born 20 July 1993) is a Japanese triathlete. He competed in the men's event at the 2020 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan. He also competed in the mixed relay event.
Tomoyoshi Fukushima (福島 丈貴; born 3 June 1993) is a water polo player from Japan. He was part of the Japanese team at…Tomoyoshi Fukushima (福島 丈貴; born 3 June 1993) is a water polo player from Japan. He was part of the Japanese team at the 2016 Summer Olympics, where the team was eliminated in the group stage.
Ryosuke Sasaki (佐々木 亮輔, Sasaki Ryōsuke; born 6 March 1993) is a Japanese handball player for Toyoda Gosei and the…Ryosuke Sasaki (佐々木 亮輔, Sasaki Ryōsuke; born 6 March 1993) is a Japanese handball player for Toyoda Gosei and the Japanese national team. He represented Japan at the 2019 World Men's Handball Championship.
Chiyonoumi Meitaro (Japanese 千代の海 明太郎, born January 11, 1993 as Meitaro Hamamachi) is a Japanese former professional…Chiyonoumi Meitaro (Japanese 千代の海 明太郎, born January 11, 1993 as Meitaro Hamamachi) is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Kochi Prefecture. He debuted in May 2015 as a wrestler for Kokonoe stable and reached his highest rank of Juryo 8 in March 2019. He has won three yusho, one in Jonidan, one in Sandanme and one in Jonokuchi.
Kisato Nakamura (中村妃智, born (1993-01-07)7 January 1993) is a Japanese track cyclist. She won a silver medal in the team…Kisato Nakamura (中村妃智, born (1993-01-07)7 January 1993) is a Japanese track cyclist. She won a silver medal in the team pursuit at the 2016 Asian Cycling Championships. She qualified to represent Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Miho Takahashi (高橋 美帆, Takahashi Miho) is a Japanese swimmer who competes in the Women's 400m individual medley. At the…Miho Takahashi (高橋 美帆, Takahashi Miho) is a Japanese swimmer who competes in the Women's 400m individual medley. At the 2012 Summer Olympics she finished 20th overall in the heats in the Women's 400 metre individual medley and failed to reach the final.
Chiho Hamada (浜田 千穂, Hamada, Chiho; born November 17, 1992) is a freestyle wrestler from Japan who won the world title…Chiho Hamada (浜田 千穂, Hamada, Chiho; born November 17, 1992) is a freestyle wrestler from Japan who won the world title in the 55 kg division in 2014.
Yuichiro Komiya (小宮 雄一郎, Komiya Yūichirō; born (1992-11-16)16 November 1992) is a Japanese male volleyball player. He…Yuichiro Komiya (小宮 雄一郎, Komiya Yūichirō; born (1992-11-16)16 November 1992) is a Japanese male volleyball player. He was a part of the Japan men's national volleyball team in 2015 and is registered again in 2022. On club level, he used to play for Toray Arrows and then transferred to Panasonic Panthers.
Kōko Tsurumi (鶴見虹子, Tsurumi Kōko; born September 28, 1992) is a retired Japanese artistic gymnast. She is the 2009…Kōko Tsurumi (鶴見虹子, Tsurumi Kōko; born September 28, 1992) is a retired Japanese artistic gymnast. She is the 2009 World all-around bronze medalist, uneven bars silver medalist, and a two-time Olympian (2008, 2012).
