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Saori Kimura
Helping Japan win Olympic volleyball bronze at London 2012.
World bronze · Olympic bronze
- Born
- 19 August 1986
- Birthplace
- Yashio, Japan
More people
Saori Kimura
Saori Kimura was a Japanese outside hitter and national captain whose passing complemented her attacking power.
Early life
Family influence
Began volleyball in elementary school after encouragement from her volleyball-playing parents.
School competition
Developed at Seitoku, a leading Tokyo school programme.
Career
- 2003
Senior debut
Entered Japan’s national team while still at school.
- 2005
Toray Arrows
Joined the club after graduation and became a leading player.
- 2012–2014
Turkish clubs
Played for VakıfBank and Galatasaray before returning to Toray.
- 2017
Retirement
Retired after her final season with Toray, following four Olympic appearances.
Achievements
World bronze
Helped Japan take its first world-championship medal in 32 years.
Olympic bronze
Japan defeated South Korea in the medal match.
European club title
Won the Champions League with VakıfBank.
Beyond sport
A café after volleyball
Ran an Osaka café with her husband after retirement.
Motherhood
Had a son in February 2023 and later moved with her family to the Kanto region.
Sources & photo credit
Wikipedia biography and references ↗Further biography and career ↗Shueisha interview, February 2024 ↗Photo: Artofit. CC BY-SA 4.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
