Japan Celebrates Double Olympic Qualification in Rugby Sevens

Japan is set to make waves in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 as both the men’s and women’s rugby sevens teams secured their spots after triumphing in the Asia Rugby qualification tournament in Osaka. This achievement marks a historic moment for Japanese rugby, with both teams having previously participated in the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021 Olympics.

In an exhilarating final, the women’s team secured their qualification with a hard-fought 21-14 victory against China. The men’s team followed suit with a dramatic comeback against Hong Kong China, winning by the same scoreline.

Despite Hong Kong China’s men falling short in their bid for a first Olympic appearance, their journey is not over. The runners-up and the third-place team will have another opportunity to secure a place in Paris through the Final Olympic Qualification Tournament in 2024.

In the women’s competition, China emerged victorious with a convincing 36-0 win against the UAE in the third-place playoff. The beaten finalists, China, and third-place finishers, Hong Kong China, will join Hong Kong China’s men in chasing the final Olympic ticket for the women’s event.

This achievement is particularly significant for the Japanese players, as the Tokyo Olympics were played behind closed doors, denying them the chance to showcase their skills to home fans. The teams faced tough challenges in the finals, having dominated their opponents in the earlier matches.

The women’s finalists had an impressive start, with Japan defeating Kazakhstan 43-0 and Thailand 19-0 in the three-team Pool D. China’s journey was equally dominant, scoring 26 tries in comprehensive victories over Hong Kong China (50-0), India (62-0), and Guam (52-0).

The finals, played at the Yodoko Sakura Stadium, witnessed a thrilling showdown between Japan and China, with momentum swinging back and forth. Japan’s women, known as the Sakura Sevens, ultimately secured a 33-5 victory over China.

The men’s final saw Hong Kong China putting up a formidable challenge against Japan. Hong Kong China’s impressive work at the breakdown frustrated the host team, but Japan staged a comeback with a dramatic 21-14 win, securing their place in the Paris Olympics.

As the countdown to Paris 2024 begins, Japan’s rugby sevens teams are poised to make a lasting impact, aiming for success on the world stage. With the men’s and women’s teams securing their spots, Japanese rugby enthusiasts have reason to celebrate the nation’s achievements on the global rugby scene.