Sora Nishimura
| Born | 29 September 2000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 167 cm (5 ft 6 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 68 kg (150 lb; 10 st 10 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sora Nishimura (born 29 September 2000) is a Japanese rugby union player. She represented Japan at the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup.
Early life and career
Nishimura graduated from Otemon Gakuin High School in 2019 and enrolled at Rissho University.[1] In 2022, she was named co-captain of Rissho University's rugby club.
Rugby career
Nishimura graduated from Rissho University in 2023 and joined Mie Pearls.[1][2] On May 28, she started in her international debut for Japan against Kazakhstan in the final of the 2023 Asia Rugby Women's Championship in Almaty.[1] She scored a try in her team's 72–0 thrashing of Kazakhstan.[3]
She started in nine matches for Japan at fullback in 2024.[1]
On 28 July 2025, she was named in the Japanese side to the Women's Rugby World Cup in England.[4][5] During their match against the Black Ferns, Nishimura collided with teammate, Ayasa Otsuka, when they both attempted to field the kick-off.[6] She injured her leg in the process and was replaced in the opening minute of the game.[6]
Reference
- ^ a b c d "西村 蒼空 | ラグビー女子日本代表選手名鑑 | 日本代表 | ラグビー | J SPORTS【公式】". www.jsports.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-10-14.
- ^ "新着情報｜ＰＥＡＲＬＳ（パールズ）". mie-pearls.com. Retrieved 2025-10-14.
- ^ "Sakura Fifteen Secure WXV 2 Spot With Strong Win Over Kazakhstan in Almaty". Japan Rugby Football Union. 2023-05-29. Retrieved 2025-10-14.
- ^ "Japan announce squad for women's RWC 2025". Rugby World Cup. 28 July 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ^ "Sakura Fifteen Rugby World Cup Squad Announced". Japan Rugby Football Union. 28 July 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Gallant Sakura Fifteen Succumb to Black Ferns Juggernaut". Japan Rugby Football Union. 2025-09-01. Retrieved 2025-10-14.