Rio Takeda (竹田 麗央, Takeda Rio) (born 2 April 2003) is a Japanese professional golfer. She plays on the LPGA Tour and…Rio Takeda (竹田 麗央, Takeda Rio) (born 2 April 2003) is a Japanese professional golfer. She plays on the LPGA Tour and the LPGA of Japan Tour where she has 8 wins.
Rena Shimazu (島津玲奈, Shimazu Rena; born 28 May 1991) is a Japanese modern pentathlete. She competed in the women's event…Rena Shimazu (島津玲奈, Shimazu Rena; born 28 May 1991) is a Japanese modern pentathlete. She competed in the women's event at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Aoi Nakabeppu (中別府 葵, Nakabeppu Aoi; born September 13, 1990, in Kōshi, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese…Aoi Nakabeppu (中別府 葵, Nakabeppu Aoi; born September 13, 1990, in Kōshi, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese fashion model and actress who is affiliated with Horipro.
Chihiro Noda (野田 智裕, Noda Chihiro; born August 17, 1988) is a Japanese soccer player who plays as a striker or…Chihiro Noda (野田 智裕, Noda Chihiro; born August 17, 1988) is a Japanese soccer player who plays as a striker or midfielder. In 2015, he got the Golden boot (Top Goal Scorer) in the Philippines.
Takahiro Fujimoto (藤本 貴大, Fujimoto Takahiro; born March 13, 1985 in Nishigoshi) is a Japanese short track speed skater.…Takahiro Fujimoto (藤本 貴大, Fujimoto Takahiro; born March 13, 1985 in Nishigoshi) is a Japanese short track speed skater. Fujimoto competed at the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics for Japan. In 2006, he was a member of the 5000 metre relay team, which was disqualified in the semifinal. In 2010, in both the 500 metres and 1000 metres, he placed fourth in his heat, failing to advance. In the 1500 metres, he placed 3rd in his opening heat, advancing to the semifinals, where he finished 6th, again failing to advance. His best overall finish was in the 1500, where he placed 17th. As of 2013, Fujimoto's best performance at the World Championships came in 2009, when he won a bronze medal as a member of the Japanese 5000 metre relay team. His best individual finish is 11th, in the 2009 1000 metres As of 2013, Fujimoto has two podium finishes on the ISU Short Track Speed Skating World Cup. His best finish is a silver, in the 500 metres at Jeonju in 2006–07. His top World Cup ranking is 13th, in the 1000 metres in 2008–09.
Kyosuke Usuta (うすた 京介, Usuta Kyōsuke; born May 25, 1974 in Aichi Prefecture but raised in Kōshi, Kumamoto) is a…Kyosuke Usuta (うすた 京介, Usuta Kyōsuke; born May 25, 1974 in Aichi Prefecture but raised in Kōshi, Kumamoto) is a Japanese manga artist. His best known works are Sexy Commando Gaiden: Sugoi yo!! Masaru-san which was published in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1995 to 1997 and which was adapted into a 48-episode anime series produced by Magic Bus; and Pyu to Fuku! Jaguar which was also serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump between 2000 and 2010, adapted into an anime film and a live action film in 2008.
Mikio Matsunaga (松永幹夫) is a Japanese former jockey and horse trainer. On June 20, 2021, his horse Gran Approuso came in…Mikio Matsunaga (松永幹夫) is a Japanese former jockey and horse trainer. On June 20, 2021, his horse Gran Approuso came in first in the fifth race at Sapporo Racecourse, achieving his 400th JRA win.
Fukunohana Koichi (born 1 July 1940 as Koichi Fukushima) is a former sumo wrestler from Kōshi, Kumamoto, Japan. He made…Fukunohana Koichi (born 1 July 1940 as Koichi Fukushima) is a former sumo wrestler from Kōshi, Kumamoto, Japan. He made his professional debut in January 1958 and reached the top division in September 1965. His highest rank was sekiwake. He retired in November 1975. He had been scheduled to fight Kashiwado in July 1969 and Taihō in May 1971, but on both occasions received a fusensho or win by default because the yokozuna both announced their retirements. Fukunohana had never beaten Taihō in the ring, losing to him ten straight times. He made his only appearance at sekiwake in January 1971, by which time he was already over 30, unusually old for a sekiwake debut at that time. He was three times a tournament runner-up, earned seven special prizes for Fighting Spirit and five gold stars for defeating yokozuna. In January 1970 he knocked out ōzeki Kitanofuji with a harite or strike with the open hand, a legitimate sumo move, and acquired the nickname "flower of the hook," a play on his shikona Fukunohana. He became a mentor to Mienoumi, who was a fellow member of Dewanoumi stable, and said that he would not retire until Mienoumi reached the rank of ōzeki. After six straight make-koshi or losing scores in the top division, he announced his retirement after the November 1975 tournament, when Mienoumi's promotion to ōzeki was confirmed. He became an elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name Sekinoto, working as a coach at Dewanoumi stable. His wife was the daughter of a previous owner of the Sekinoto elder name, former komusubi Wakashima. He became a special executive in 2000. He left the Sumo Association in 2005 upon turning 65 years of age. From 2009 until 2011 a junior wrestler at Dewanoumi stable, whose real name was Fukumoto, was given permission to use the Fukunohana shikona.