Yoshihito Yoshida

Yoshihito Yoshida (吉田義人, Yoshida Yoshihito) (born 18 February 1969 in Ogachi, Akita) is a former rugby union footballer who played for Japan. He played as a wing.

Yoshihito Yoshida

Date of birth	(1969-02-18) 18 February 1969
Place of birth	Ogachi, Japan
School	Akita Technical High School
University	Meiji University
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) Akita Technical High School () – Meiji University () Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 1991-2000 Isetan () 2000-2001 US Colomiers () 2001-2003 Sanyo Electric () 2003-2004 Fukuoka Sanix Bombs () International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1988-1997 Japan 31 (97) National sevens team Years Team Comps 1991-1993 Japan 7s 1993 Coaching career Years Team 2004-2009 Yokogawa Musashino Atlastars 2009-2014 Meiji University Rugby Football Club 2014- Samurai Seven

Career

His first match for Japan was during a test against Oxford University at Tokyo, on October 1, 1990. He played 1991 Rugby World Cup, where he scored 2 tries against Zimbabwe, at Ravenhill. He was also part of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, playing against Ireland, where he scored 2 tries and 4 conversions, and against New Zealand. His last international cap was against USA, at Osaka, on May 25, 1997.

Club career

He played for Isetan between 1991 and 2000. Later he played for the French side US Colomiers for two seasons. Between 2001 and 2003, he played for Sanyo Electric, the following year, he ended his career for Fukuoka Sanix Bombs. In 1992, he also played for World XV against the All Blacks.

Coach career

In 2004 he coached Yokogawa Musashino Atlastars until 2009, when he coached Meiji University, where he played back in his amateur years. Since 2014, he coaches the rugby sevens club Samurai Seven

Personal life

In 2008, he married the singer and songwriter Ari Ōnishi.

References

• Yoshihito Yoshida at ESPNscrum