Yoshihiro Sakata

Yoshihiro Sakata MNZM (坂田好弘) is a rugby union official and former player who gained sixteen full international caps with the Japan national rugby union team 1967–1973. He played as wing for Kintetsu and Canterbury RFU and was nicknamed Demi Sakata. He was the first Japanese player to be inducted into the International Rugby Board Hall of Fame.

Yoshihiro Sakata

MNZM
Born (1942-09-26) 26 September 1942
Osaka Prefecture, Japan
Alma materUniversity of Canterbury
Rugby career
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
– Kintetsu ()
1969 – 1969 Canterbury 27 ()
– Kintetsu ()
Correct as of 3 December 2017
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1967 – 1973 Japan 16
Correct as of 3 December 2017

Early life

Sakata was born 26 September 1942 in Osaka Prefecture, Japan.[1] He practiced judo before taking up rugby.[2]

Club rugby

He played as wing for Kintetsu. He moved to New Zealand in 1969 to be a student at the University of Canterbury and was the first Japanese player to play for their rugby team.[3][4] Over a six month period he played in 27 matches for the Canterbrians and scored 30 tries.[5][6] He played provincial rugby for Canterbury RFU.[7] He had introduced himself as "Deme" (relating to big eyes) but people instead called him "Demi" (meaning small or half-sized).[8]

International career

He first played for Japan on 12 March 1967 against New Zealand students at Osaka.[1] In June 1968, he scored four tries in the 23-19 victory against the Junior All Blacks.[2]

He was selected for the 1973 Japan rugby union tour of Wales, England and France. On 6 October 1973 he played against a Welsh XV at Cardiff Arms Park, the first representative match between the nations.[8] The final match of the tour was against France at Bordeaux on 27 October 1973, this was his last cap.[1]

Coaching

After retiring from playing rugby, Sakata has held coaching and administrative roles in the sport.[5]

Honours

In 2012, Sakata was the 51st player to be inducted into the International Rugby Board Hall of Fame, the first from Japan.[7] A ceremony was held at Mizuho Rugby Stadium in Nagoya.[6] In the 2021 New Year Honours, Sakata was appointed an honorary Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to New Zealand–Japan relations and rugby.[9]

References
  1. "Rugby: Players: Demi Sakata". ESPN. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  2. Yoshihiro Sakata: Japan’s first Hall of Famer. World Rugby. 12 October 2017. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  3. Smith, Tony (29 October 2016). "Crusaders forge strong Japanese links". The Press. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  4. "Our History". ucrugby.wordpress.com. 13 May 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  5. "Hall of Fame: Inductees: Yoshihiro Sakata". World Rugby. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  6. Yoshihiro Sakata was inducted IRB Hall of Fame. YouTube. 7 June 2012. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  7. "Sakata chosen for International Rugby Board's Hall of Fame". The Japan Times. 6 June 2012. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  8. "Wales honour Japan's trailblazer Yoshihiro Sakata". BBC Sport. 4 June 2013. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  9. "New Year Honours List 2021". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
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