Kazuhiro Goya | Today's AI Wiki

1. Early Life and Education

Kazuhiro Goya's early life was marked by his introduction to rugby at a young age and his progression through the Japanese education system, where he also excelled in youth rugby.

Kazuhiro Goya was born on April 21, 1993, in Onojo, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. He has an older brother, Akihiro Goya, who is also a rugby player. Goya began his rugby journey in the third grade of elementary school, joining the Tsukushi Young Ruggers.

1.2. Education and Youth Career

After his elementary school years, Goya continued his education and rugby development. He graduated from Ryutsu Keizai University Kashiwa High School in 2012. During his time at high school, his talent was recognized, leading to his selection for the Japan High School Rugby National Team. Following his high school graduation, he enrolled in Ryutsu Keizai University, where he joined the university's rugby club.

2. Rugby Career

Kazuhiro Goya's rugby career spanned both national team and club levels, highlighted by his participation in multiple international tournaments and two Olympic Games.

2.1. National Team Career

Goya was a prominent member of the Japan national rugby sevens team, playing for the squad from 2014 until the 2020 Summer Olympics in 2021. He earned his first cap for the national team in 2014 during the 8th round of the World Rugby Sevens Series held in Scotland. Throughout his tenure with the Japan 7s national team, he accumulated 25 caps, holding the cap number 292.

2.2. Club Career

Upon graduating from Ryutsu Keizai University in 2016, Kazuhiro Goya embarked on his professional club career by joining Kubota Spears, a leading rugby club in Japan, which is now known as Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay. He made his official professional debut in the Japan Rugby Top League on August 27, 2016, starting in a match against Toshiba Brave Lupus. In 2022, on September 9, Goya moved to France to play for SC Pamiers, a club competing in the French Federal 2 league, which is equivalent to the fifth division of French rugby. He played for the club for one season.

2.3. Olympic Games Participation

Goya played a crucial role in Japan's qualification for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He was part of the Japan 7s national team that competed in the Asian qualifiers in November 2015, where Japan secured their berth by defeating the Hong Kong national rugby sevens team. He subsequently competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Goya continued to represent Japan at the highest level, participating in the 2020 Summer Olympics, which were held in Tokyo in 2021.

3. Retirement

Kazuhiro Goya concluded his professional rugby career on March 31, 2024, officially retiring as a player.

4. Personal Information and Other Activities

Beyond his achievements on the rugby field, Goya is known for specific player attributes and has engaged in activities outside of sports.

4.1. Player Profile

Kazuhiro Goya primarily played in the fly-half (SO), centre (CTB), and fullback (FB) positions. He stands at 67 in ^{(170 cm)} tall and weighs 172 lb ^{(78 kg)}. He is known by his nickname, Kevin.

4.2. Other Activities

Outside of his rugby career, Kazuhiro Goya has also ventured into other fields. He made an appearance in the music video for the song "Daremo Shiranai" by the Japanese band Carnavacation.

6. Assessment and Impact

Kazuhiro Goya's career significantly contributed to the development and visibility of rugby sevens in Japan. His consistent selection for the national sevens team from 2014 to 2021, culminating in appearances at two Olympic Games, highlights his importance as a key player during a period of growth for the sport in the country. His participation in the team that qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics marked a significant milestone for Japanese rugby, demonstrating the nation's rising competitiveness on the international stage. His long tenure and cap count underscore his dedication and skill as a prominent Japanese rugby sevens athlete.