76 Notable alumni of Nippon Sport Science University
Updated: June 07, 2026 EliteDegrees
Nippon Sport Science University is ranked #3,349 in the world and #214 in Japan by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 76 notable alumni from Nippon Sport Science University sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff. Many individuals affiliated with Nippon Sport Science University won Nobel Prizes for Peace, in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, and Economics.
1. Akihito Kai
1987-. (aged 39)
handball player
Akihito Kai is a Japanese handball player for Toyota Auto Body and the Japanese national team.
2. Risako Oga
1997-. (aged 29)
association football player
Risako Oga is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender. She plays for Nojima Stella in the Nadeshiko Division 1 and for the Japan national team.
3. Seiya Adachi
1995-. (aged 31)
water polo player
swimmer
Seiya Adachi 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.
+ show more
4. Mitsuaki Shiga
1991-. (aged 35)
water polo player
Mitsuaki Shiga 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.
+ show more
5. Miyuki Matsuhisa
1945-. (aged 81)
artistic gymnast
Miyuki Matsuhisa-Hironaka is a retired Japanese artistic gymnast who competed at the 1968, 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics. She had her best results in 1968, when her team placed fourth and she shared ninth place on the balance beam.
+ show more
6. Akira Yanase
1988-. (aged 38)
water polo player
teacher
Akira Yanase is a Japanese water polo player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
7. Toshiko Shirasu-Aihara
1939-. (aged 87)
artistic gymnast
Toshiko Shirasu-Aihara is a retired Japanese gymnast. She competed in all artistic gymnastics events at the 1960 and 1964 Olympics and won a team bronze medal in 1964. Her best individual achievements were fourth places on the vault and uneven bars in 1964. Born Toshiko Shirasu, she changed her last name after marrying Nobuyuki Aihara, a fellow Olympic gymnast. Their...
+ show more
8. Yoshinori Shimizu
1949-. (aged 77)
basketball player
Yoshinori Shimizu is a Japanese professional basketball executive and former player, currently serving as the general manager of the Osaka Evessa of the Japanese B.League.
+ show more
9. Masahiro Fujita
1970-. (aged 56)
basketball player
Masahiro Fujita is the former head coach of the Mitsubishi Electric in the Japanese JBL.
10. Hideo Fujimoto
1918-1997 (aged 79)
baseball player
professional baseball player
Hideo Fujimoto is a retired Greco-Roman wrestler from Japan. He competed at the 1968 and 1972 Olympics and won a silver medal in 1968, placing fourth in 1972. At the world championships he won a gold medal in 1970 and bronze medals in 1967 and 1971.
+ show more
11. Shōko Nihon'yanagi
1981-. (aged 45)
ice hockey player
Shoko Ono is a Japanese ice hockey player for Mikage Gretz and the Japanese national team. She participated at the 2016 IIHF Women's World Championship.
+ show more
12. Takeshi Hotta
1978-. (aged 48)
basketball player
Takeshi Hotta is the Head coach of the Aomori Wat's in the Japanese B.League.
13. Naomi Yashiro
1977-. (aged 49)
basketball player
flight attendant
Naomi Yashiro is a Japanese former basketball player who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics. She has been working as a cabin crew at the Japan Airlines and joined its team JAL Rabbits.
+ show more
14. Hiroki Motoki
1992-. (aged 34)
handball player
Hiroki Motoki is a Japanese handball player for Osaki Osol and the Japanese national team.
15. Tomohiro Inoue
1987-. (aged 39)
amateur wrestler
Tomohiro Inoue is a Japanese Greco-Roman wrestler. He competed in the men's Greco-Roman 66 kg event at the 2016 Summer Olympics, in which he lost the bronze medal match to Shmagi Bolkvadze.
+ show more
16. Ginko Abukawa-Chiba
1938-. (aged 88)
artistic gymnast
Ginko Abukawa-Chiba is a retired Japanese gymnast. She competed in all artistic gymnastics events at the 1960 and 1964 Olympics and won a team bronze medal in 1964. Her best individual achievement was tenth place on the vault in 1964.
+ show more
17. Sayaka Akase
1994-. (aged 32)
swimmer
Sayaka Akase 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...
+ show more
18. Nobuyuki Aihara
1934-2013 (aged 79)
artistic gymnast
Nobuyuki Aihara was a Japanese gymnast. He was the father of Yutaka Aihara, also a gymnast.
19. Satoru Furuta
1971-. (aged 55)
basketball player
basketball coach
Satoru Furuta is a Japanese former basketball player.
20. Hiroshi Fukuda
1987-. (aged 39)
professional wrestler
Hiroshi Fukuda better known by his ring name Trans-Am★Hiroshi (トランザム★ヒロシ, Toranzamu Hiroshi) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working as a freelancer and is best known for his tenure with the Japanese promotions DDT Pro-Wrestling and Kaientai Dojo.
+ show more
21. Tsutomu Hanahara
1940-2024 (aged 84)
amateur wrestler
Tsutomu Hanahara was a Japanese wrestler who won a gold medal in the flyweight class at the 1964 Olympics. He competed at the 1958 and 1967 world championships and finished in sixth and third place, respectively.
+ show more
22. Shuji Tsurumi
1938-. (aged 88)
artistic gymnast
Shuji Tsurumi is a Japanese gymnast and Olympic champion. He was part of the first Japanese team that succeeded to win gold medals in the team event at the Summer Olympics (1960) and World Championships (1962). In 2008 he was inducted to the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
+ show more
23. Eizō Kenmotsu
1948-. (aged 78)
artistic gymnast
Eizo Kenmotsu is a former Japanese artistic gymnast, who won seven world titles and three Olympic gold medals between 1968 and 1979. In retirement, he became a leading Japanese coach. He also served as sports director of the Nippon Sport Science University and vice president of the Japan Gymnastics Association. In 2006, Kenmotsu was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall...
+ show more
24. Yukinori Suzuki
1977-. (aged 49)
basketball player
Yukinori Suzuki is the former head coach of the Shimane Susanoo Magic in the Japanese B.League. He played college basketball for Nippon Sport Science University. He was selected by the Oita Heat Devils with the 10th overall pick in the 2005 bj League draft.
+ show more
25. Saori Ariyoshi
1987-. (aged 39)
association football player
Saori Ariyoshi is a Japanese footballer who currently plays for Albirex Niigata in the WE League. She has played for the Japan national team.
26. Ryūtarō Matsumoto
1986-. (aged 40)
amateur wrestler
Ryūtarō Matsumoto is a Japanese wrestler won a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the Greco-Roman 60 kg category.
27. Haruhiro Yamashita
1938-. (aged 88)
artistic gymnast
Haruhiro Yamashita is a Japanese gymnast, who competed in the 1964 Summer Olympics. He won two gold medals, in the vault and team combined exercises.
28. Masao Takemoto
1919-2007 (aged 88)
artistic gymnast
Masao Takemoto was a Japanese artistic gymnast who won two world titles and seven Olympic medals.
29. Atsushi Ōno
1977-. (aged 49)
basketball player
Atsushi Ono is the Head coach of the San-en NeoPhoenix in the Japanese B.League.
30. Sayaka Sato
1991-. (aged 35)
badminton player
Olympic competitor
Sayaka Sato is a Japanese badminton player. She competed for Japan at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
31. Narumi Miura
1997-. (aged 29)
association football player
Narumi Miura is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club Utah Royals and the Japan national team.
+ show more
32. Kazuyuki Nakane
1969-. (aged 57)
politician
Kazuyuki Nakane is a former Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. A native of Kōnosu, Saitama he attended Nippon Sport Science University as an undergraduate and Senshu University as a graduate student. He was elected to the Diet for the first time in 2005...
+ show more
33. Yuji Takada
1954-. (aged 72)
amateur wrestler
Yuji Takada is a retired Japanese flyweight freestyle wrestler. He competed at the 1976 and 1984 Olympics and won a gold and a bronze medal, respectively. Takada held the world title in 1974, 1975, 1977 and 1979. In 2005 he was inducted into the FILA Hall of Fame.
+ show more
34. Chihiro Igarashi
1995-. (aged 31)
swimmer
Chihiro Igarashi is a Japanese swimmer. She competed in the women's 400 metre freestyle event at the 2016 Summer Olympics. She qualified to represent Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
+ show more
35. Kakizoe Tōru
1978-. (aged 48)
rikishi
Kakizoe Tōru, is a former sumo wrestler. A former amateur champion, he turned professional in 2001 and reached the top division in 2003. His highest rank was komusubi, which he held for just one tournament. He won one special prize, for Technique. After injury problems he fell to the third makushita division in 2011 and retired in April 2012, becoming...
+ show more
36. Mako Kobata
1992-. (aged 34)
volleyball player
Mako Kobata is a Japanese professional volleyball player. She plays the libero position and is known for her fast reactions and strong defense. Kobata has played for the Japan women's national volleyball team and participated in several international tournaments, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She also plays for Hisamitsu Springs, a top team in Japan's V.League.
+ show more
37. Shotaro Ashino
1990-. (aged 36)
professional wrestler
Shotaro Ashino is a Japanese professional wrestler who is signed to All Japan Pro Wrestling. He was trained by and best known for his time in Wrestle-1, where he was a former two time Wrestle-1 Champion.
+ show more
38. Jungo Morita
1947-. (aged 79)
volleyball player
Jungo Morita is a retired volleyball player from Japan. He competed at the 1968 and 1972 Olympics and won a silver and a gold medal, respectively. In 2003, he was inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame in Holyoke, Massachusetts.
+ show more
39. Yasuhiro Koseki
1992-. (aged 34)
swimmer
Yasuhiro Koseki is a Japanese competitive swimmer and breaststroke specialist. He won the 100-meter event at the 2013 Summer Universiade, 2013 East Asian Games, and the 2014 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships. He hold the Asian record in this event, set in February 2014.
+ show more
40. Rémi Feutrier
1989-. (aged 37)
handball player
Remi Anri Doi, also called Rémi Feutrier is a French-born Japanese handball player for C' Chartres Métropole handball and the Japanese national team.
+ show more
41. Kazuo Ohno
1906-2010 (aged 104)
dancer
choreographer
dance teacher
Kazuo Ohno was a Japanese dancer who became a guru and inspirational figure in the dance form known as Butoh. He is the author of several books on Butoh, including The Palace Soars through the Sky, Dessin, Words of Workshop, and Food for the Soul. The latter two were published in English as Kazuo Ohno's World: From Without & Within...
+ show more
42. Akira Sasaki
1981-. (aged 45)
alpine skier
Akira Sasaki is a Japanese alpine skier.
43. Hiroyuki Endo
1986-. (aged 40)
badminton player
Olympic competitor
Hiroyuki Endo is a retired Japanese badminton player. He competed at the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. In 2009, he joined the Unisys badminton team.
+ show more
44. Kōji Gushiken
1956-. (aged 70)
artistic gymnast
Kōji Gushiken is an Olympic gymnast for Japan at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, where he won a total number of five medals, including two gold. He broke an ankle in May 1985 which prevented him from training for 3 months and hindered his performances at the 1985 World Championships. Gushiken announced his retirement at the 1985...
+ show more
45. Azusa Iwashimizu
1986-. (aged 40)
association football player
Azusa Iwashimizu is a Japanese footballer who played as a defender for Tokyo Verdy Beleza in the WE League and the Japan national team.
46. Yukari Kinga
1984-. (aged 42)
association football player
Yukari Kinga is a Japanese football player. She plays as a defender for Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina in the WE League. She previously played for the Japan women's national football team, winning the 2011 Fifa World Cup and an Olympic silver medal before her international retirement in 2016.
+ show more
47. Yoshihiro Ito
1982-2025 (aged 43)
baseball player
baseball coach
Yoshihiro Ito was a Japanese professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 2008 to 2015 for the Chiba Lotte Marines.
+ show more
48. Mitsuo Tsukahara
1947-. (aged 79)
artistic gymnast
Mitsuo Tsukahara is a Japanese artistic gymnast. He was five times an Olympic Gold Medalist. He remained active in the sport after his retirement from competition. He served as vice president of the Japan Gymnastic Association.
+ show more
49. Kenshiro Matsunami
1946-. (aged 80)
politician
Kenshiro Matsunami is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Izumisano, Osaka, he attended Nippon Sport Science University, Eastern Michigan University and Nihon University. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1996 as a...
+ show more
50. Yota Tsuji
1993-. (aged 33)
professional wrestler
Yota Tsuji is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a double champion as the current IWGP Heavyweight Champion in his first reign and the current IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion in his record-tying second reign and is the member of the Unbound Co. stable. Tsuji is the winner of the 2024 New...
+ show more
51. Wataru Matsumoto
1996-. (aged 30)
baseball player
Wataru Matsumoto is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays pitcher for the Saitama Seibu Lions.
52. Kentaro Minagawa
1977-. (aged 49)
alpine skier
Kentaro Minagawa is a Japanese alpine skier. His first international successes were at the 1996 Junior World Championships in Schwyz, with a 5th rank in Slalom, and a 9th rank in Giant slalom.
+ show more
53. Yasutaro Matsuki
1957-. (aged 69)
sports commentator
association football coach
association football player
Yasutaro Matsuki is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team. He also worked as a football commentator.
54. Shinobu Ōta
1993-. (aged 33)
amateur wrestler
Shinobu Ota 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...
+ show more
55. Kazuhito Sakae
1960-. (aged 66)
amateur wrestler
Kazuhito Sakae is a Japanese wrestling coach and retired wrestler who won several medals in the 62 kg category at the Asian and world level between 1983 and 1989. Remarkably, at the 1983 Asian Wrestling Championships, he won a gold medal in the freestyle wrestling and a silver in the Greco-Roman wrestling. After retiring from competitions he worked as a...
+ show more
56. Shunichi Kawai
1963-. (aged 63)
volleyball player
tarento
Shunichi Kawai is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Kawai competed at the 1986 Goodwill Games in Moscow and won a bronze medal.
+ show more
57. Kōnosuke Takeshita
1995-. (aged 31)
professional wrestler
Konosuke Takeshita is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to the American promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is a member of The Don Callis Family. He is also signed to Japanese promotions DDT Pro-Wrestling and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).
+ show more
58. Yoshikaze Masatsugu
1982-. (aged 44)
rikishi
Yoshikaze Masatsugu is a former sumo wrestler from Saiki, Oita Prefecture, Japan. His highest rank was sekiwake. A former amateur sumo champion, he turned professional in 2004, reaching the top division two years later. Until his promotion to komusubi in May 2014 he had the active record for the longest serving makuuchi wrestler who had never reached a titled rank....
+ show more
59. Kenzo Shirai
1996-. (aged 30)
artistic gymnast
Kenzō Shirai is a Japanese retired artistic gymnast. Born in Yokohama, Kanagawa, he graduated from Kishine High School and joined the Nippon Sport Science University (Nittaidai). Shirai took the team gold, and a bronze on individual vault with the Japanese men's gymnastics national team at the 2016 Summer Olympics (OG) in Rio de Janeiro while more major wins were from...
+ show more
60. Yuji Nagata
1968-. (aged 58)
mixed martial arts fighter
professional wrestler
Yuji Nagata is a Japanese professional wrestler, and former mixed martial artist and amateur wrestler signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). He is the fifth longest-reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion with a reign of 392 days, and formerly held the record for most successful title defenses with 10, until Hiroshi Tanahashi broke the record at Wrestle Kingdom VI. He is the...
+ show more
61. Miho Takagi
1994-. (aged 32)
speed skater
Miho Takagi is a Japanese speed skater. She has won a total of ten medals at the Olympics, two of them gold.
62. Yujiro Takahashi
1981-. (aged 45)
professional wrestler
Yujiro Takahashi is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a member of House of Torture.
63. Nahomi Kawasumi
1985-. (aged 41)
association football player
Nahomi Kawasumi is a Japanese footballer who plays either as a midfielder or forward for Japanese club Albirex Niigata. A full international since 2008, she won gold at the 2011 World Cup as well as silver at the 2012 London Olympics and 2015 World Cup. During the 2011 World Cup, she scored two goals—including a lob at 35 yards away...
+ show more
64. Yuko Arimori
1966-. (aged 60)
marathon runner
sports commentator
long-distance runner
athletics competitor
Yuko Arimori is a Japanese professional marathon runner and a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). In June 2025 she was elected president of the Japan Association of Athletics Federations.
+ show more
65. Sara Takanashi
1996-. (aged 30)
ski jumper
Sara Takanashi 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 February 2026, Takanashi...
+ show more
66. Abe Uta
2000-. (aged 26)
judoka
Uta Abe is a Japanese judoka who competes in the Women's half-lightweight (52 kg) division. She won the gold medal in the Women's 52 kg competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics and two silver medals in a row with the Japanese team in the judo mixed team events at the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics. Abe is also a five-time...
+ show more
67. Karina Maruyama
1983-. (aged 43)
association football player
Karina Maruyama is a Japanese tarento and former football player. She played for the Japanese national team. Since her retirement, Maruyama has been active as a television personality, represented by the talent agency Horipro.
+ show more
68. Rie Tanaka
1987-. (aged 39)
gymnast
artistic gymnast
Rie Tanaka is a Japanese retired artistic gymnast. She won the 2010 Longines Prize for Elegance and competed at the 2012 London Olympics. Her brothers, Kazuhito Tanaka and Yusuke Tanaka, were also Olympic artistic gymnasts.
+ show more
69. Mari Motohashi
1986-. (aged 40)
curler
Mari Motohashi is a Japanese curler. She currently plays third on Team Honoka Sasaki.
70. Kosuke Kitajima
1982-. (aged 44)
swimmer
Kosuke Kitajima is a Japanese retired breaststroke swimmer. He won gold medals at the men's 100 m and 200 m breaststroke events at the 2004 Summer Olympics, and the 2008 Summer Olympics – becoming the first and only swimmer to sweep the breaststroke events at consecutive Olympic games.
+ show more
71. Sonny Chiba
1939-2021 (aged 82)
film director
karateka
lyricist
seiyū
stunt coordinator
Shinichi Chiba IPA: [tɕiꜜba ɕiɰ̃itɕi], known internationally as Sonny Chiba, was a Japanese actor and martial artist. Chiba was one of the first actors to achieve stardom through his skills in martial arts, initially in Japan and later to an international audience.
+ show more
72. Keita Machida
1990-. (aged 36)
actor
television actor
Keita Machida is a Japanese actor. He is a member of the theater group Gekidan Exile. Machida is represented by LDH in Japan and HB Entertainment in South Korea.
+ show more
73. Kōhei Uchimura
1989-. (aged 37)
artistic gymnast
Kōhei Uchimura is a Japanese retired artistic gymnast. He is a seven-time Olympic medalist (team, all-around and floor exercise), winning three golds and four silvers, and a 21-time World medalist (team, all-around, floor exercise, parallel bars and the horizontal bar).
+ show more
74. Mandy Sekiguchi
1991-. (aged 35)
dancer
Mandy Sekiguchi is an American-born Japanese actor, dancer, rapper and a former member of J-Pop groups Generations from Exile Tribe, Exile and Honest Boyz.
+ show more
75. Hifumi Abe
1997-. (aged 29)
judoka
Hifumi Abe is a Japanese judoka who competes in the Men's half-lightweight (66 kg) division. He won two consecutive gold medals in the Men's 66 kg competition at the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics, as well as two silver medals in a row with the Japanese team in those games' judo mixed team events. He is also a four-time world...
+ show more
76. Ryoko Tani
1975-. (aged 51)
judoka
politician
Ryoko Tani is a Japanese politician and retired female judoka.