Date of birth | 19 February 2000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Height | 1.64 m (5 ft 5 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 84 kg (185 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sachiko Kato (加藤幸子; born 19 February 2000) is a Japanese rugby union player. She plays Prop for Japan internationally and for Exeter Chiefs in the Premier 15s. She competed at the 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
Rugby career
[edit]Kato made her international debut for Japan against Hong Kong when she was 17 years old.[1] In 2021, She was named in Japan's squad for their European tour.[2][3] She featured in all three test matches against Wales, Scotland and Ireland.[4][5][6] She scored a try in their 36–12 loss to Scotland.[7]
Kato was named in the Sakura fifteens squad for their Australian tour in 2022.[8] She was later selected in Japan's squad for the 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.[9][10]
In 2024, she made the side for the 2024 Asia Rugby Championship.[11][12] Kato scored the Sakura's first try in their drubbing of Kazakhstan.[13][14] The win helped them secure a place at the 2025 Rugby World Cup and the 2024 WXV 2.[13][14]
She was named in the Sakura fifteens squad for their tour to the United States in 2025.[15] She eventually started in her sides 39–33 victory over the Eagles in Los Angeles on 26 April.[16][17] On 28 July 2025, she was named in the Japanese side to the Women's Rugby World Cup in England.[18][19]
References
[edit]- ^ Ryall, Julian (20 April 2022). "The rising stars of Japanese rugby bringing the sport to a new generation". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ "Sakura Fifteen Squad Announced for European Tour". Japan Rugby Football Union. 30 October 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ Scott-Munro, Harry (30 October 2021). "Chiefs duo named in Japanese squad". www.exeterchiefs.co.uk. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ Sands, Katie (5 November 2021). "Wales Women name team for autumn opener against Japan as Keira Bevan returns". WalesOnline. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ "Japan Team Announced to Take on Scotland". Japan Rugby Football Union. 13 November 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ "Japan Team Announced to Take on Ireland". Japan Rugby Football Union. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ "Scotland overwhelm Japan in autumn Test". BBC Sport. 14 November 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ "Sakura Fifteen's Squad Announced for Tour Downunder". Japan Rugby Football Union. 15 April 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ "Sakura Fifteen Rugby World Cup Squad Announced". Japan Rugby Football Union. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ Mockford, Sarah (9 October 2022). "Japan Women's Rugby World Cup Squad 2022 – Japan 5-41 Canada". Rugby World. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "Sakura Fifteen's 26-member squad". Asia Rugby. 21 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
- ^ "Japan Squad Announced for Asia Rugby Women's Championship 2024". Japan Rugby Football Union. 20 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Japan beat Kazakhstan to secure place at England 2025". www.world.rugby. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ a b Duskmourne, Quorra (27 May 2024). "Japan Secures Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Berth with Dominant Display". Global Rugby Network. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ "Sakura Fifteen Squad Announced for USA Tour". Japan Rugby Football Union. 15 April 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ^ "Sakura Fifteen Team Announced for USA Eagles Clash". Japan Rugby Football Union. 26 April 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ^ "Sakura Fifteen Defeat USA Eagles in LA Epic". Japan Rugby Football Union. 28 April 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ^ "Japan announce squad for women's RWC 2025". Rugby World Cup. 28 July 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ^ "Sakura Fifteen Rugby World Cup Squad Announced". Japan Rugby Football Union. 28 July 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2025.