Megumi Kurihara

2.1. Childhood and Education

Born in Etajima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, Megumi Kurihara is the youngest of four, with both parents and an older brother. Her father, who stood at 72 in ^{(182 cm)}, was a volleyball coach, and she began playing the sport in the fourth grade with the Kagawaflowers team, coached by him. By her first year of junior high school, her height had already exceeded 69 in ^{(176 cm)}. In June 1998, during her second year of junior high, driven by a desire to improve her volleyball skills, she transferred to Himeji Municipal Otsu Junior High School in Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture, for specialized volleyball training. Kensuke Takezawa, who later competed in long-distance running at the Beijing Olympics, was two years her junior at Otsu Junior High.

For high school, Kurihara attended Mitajiri Girls' High School (now Seiei High School) in Hōfu, Yamaguchi Prefecture. In her first year, she achieved the prestigious "high school triple crown," winning the Inter-highschool, National Sports Festival, and Spring Volleyball tournaments. An anecdote from her time at Mitajiri Girls' High School recalls that one of the first practices she engaged in was "laughing practice," an exercise intended to foster team cohesion and encourage players to celebrate good plays together. She reportedly practiced this in front of the dormitory bathroom mirror.

2.2. Start as a Volleyball Player

Kurihara's talent was recognized early, leading to her first selection to the Japan women's national volleyball team in 2001, during her third year of high school. Her national team debut came in 2002 during a US-Japan match. In November 2003, at the 2003 FIVB Women's World Cup, she gained national attention as a "young ace" for Japan, alongside Kana Oyama, forming the popular duo known as "Megukana" (メグカナ^Japanese). It was during this period that her enduring nickname, "Princess Meg" (プリンセス・メグ_{Purinsesu Megu}^Japanese), became widely established. In 2003, she also joined the NEC Red Rockets in Japan's V.League (Premier League), where she quickly made an impact, earning the Young Eagle Prize at the Black Eagle Flag (Kurowashiki All Japan Volleyball Tournament) in May of the same year.

3.1. NEC Red Rockets

Kurihara joined the NEC Red Rockets in 2003, making her entry into the V.League Premier League. She quickly established herself, winning the Young Eagle Prize at the Black Eagle Flag tournament in May 2003. However, her tenure with the NEC Red Rockets was short-lived. In October 2004, she was dismissed from the team, with the stated reason being that "her style did not match the valley-style of NEC." Following her departure, there were rumors of a potential transfer to the Italian Volleyball League.

3.2. Pioneer Red Wings

Despite rumors of an overseas move, Megumi Kurihara joined the Pioneer Red Wings in November 2004. Due to a league rule that prohibited players who signed with a club after the start of a season from participating in league matches, she was unable to play in the 2004-05 V.League season. Her official return to competitive play came in May 2005 at the Black Eagle Flag tournament, where she contributed significantly to the team's championship victory. Following this tournament, she temporarily left the team due to a conflict with the then-director, Arie Selinger, but returned in mid-August. For the 2005-06 season, she participated from the opening game and played a crucial role in Pioneer Red Wings' first championship in two seasons. Her performance earned her several individual accolades, including the Best Distinguished Services Player, Serve Award, and a spot in the Best 6. In 2006, she was again selected for the All-Japan Women's volleyball team but suffered an injury during a training camp, diagnosed with left foot painful bipartite sesamoiditis, which led to approximately six months of rehabilitation. She made her comeback in the 2006-07 V.Premier League, helping her team to a third-place finish in both the league and the 56th Black Eagle Flag tournament. In June 2011, she left Pioneer Red Wings to focus on treatment for her ongoing left knee issues.

3.3. Dynamo Kazan

After leaving Pioneer Red Wings, Megumi Kurihara ventured overseas, joining WVC Dynamo Kazan in the Russian Volleyball Super League on September 3, 2011. However, her time in Russia was brief. Due to the recovery status of her injured left knee, she was not included in the final roster for the 2011 FIVB Women's World Cup. She departed Dynamo Kazan in March 2012.

3.4. Okayama Seagulls

Upon her return to Japan, Megumi Kurihara's transfer to Okayama Seagulls was announced on July 11, 2012. During her time with the Okayama Seagulls, she also played alongside Haruka Miyashita. She remained with the team until June 2014, when her departure was announced.

3.5. Hitachi Rivale

In September 2014, Kurihara joined Hitachi Rivale. On January 23, 2016, during a match against Denso Airybees, she reached a significant milestone by appearing in her 230th career V.League match, thereby qualifying for the V.League Honorary Award. Later that year, in September 2016, Kurihara faced a severe health challenge when she was diagnosed with Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, a serious condition involving blood clots in the brain's venous sinuses, and was hospitalized. At the time, both the diagnosis and hospitalization were kept private. Following her surgery, she faced a challenging rehabilitation process that included learning to walk again. Through her determination, she made a remarkable recovery and returned to play for Hitachi Rivale in January 2017, demonstrating extraordinary resilience and commitment to her sport. She continued with the team until February 28, 2018, when her departure was announced.

3.6. JT Marvelous

Megumi Kurihara's final club affiliation was with JT Marvelous, which she joined in June 2018. After a distinguished career spanning 17 years, she announced her retirement from professional volleyball on June 4, 2019, via her official blog. A retirement press conference was held on June 10, 2019, in Tokyo, where Kurihara, dressed in a pantsuit, expressed her gratitude to fans and associates with tears in her eyes but also a smile.

4.1. Major International Appearances

Kurihara was first selected to the Japan women's national volleyball team in 2001, making her debut in a US-Japan match in 2002. She participated in the 2003 FIVB Women's World Cup in Japan, where the team finished in 5th place. The following year, she made her Olympic debut at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, helping Japan secure a 5th-place finish.

In 2007, she competed in the 2007 FIVB World Grand Prix, playing in all nine matches for Japan and ranking 9th in the Best Scorer category with 125 points. In September of the same year, she played a crucial role in Japan's victory over China at the Asian Championship, marking Japan's first win against China in 24 years and contributing to their championship title. At the 2007 FIVB Women's World Cup in November, where Japan finished 7th, she recorded the highest number of spikes among all participating players, highlighting her central role for the team.

Kurihara secured her second consecutive Olympic appearance at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, where Japan again finished 5th, with Kurihara serving as the team's ace. Prior to the Olympics, she received the Best Scorer and Best Server awards at the 2008 FIVB World Grand Prix finals. In 2009, under the new coaching system of Masayoshi Manabe, she was appointed vice-captain of the national team, affectionately known as "Hinotori Nippon" (火の鳥NIPPON_{Firebirds Japan}^Japanese). However, during the Grand Champions Cup in autumn of that year, she suffered a left knee meniscus tear, which worsened despite continued play in the V.League.

After undergoing meniscus surgery in mid-March 2010 and enduring six months of rehabilitation, she returned to play in the 2010 FIVB Women's World Championship in October, where Japan earned a bronze medal. In this tournament, she was effectively utilized as a right-side hitter, notably contributing to momentum shifts in matches, such as the opening game against Poland. Due to the recovery status of her injured left knee, she was excluded from the final registration for the 2011 FIVB Women's World Cup. She made a return to the national team for the 2012 World Grand Prix after a two-year absence but was ultimately not selected for the London Olympics, missing a chance for her third consecutive Olympic appearance.

4.2. Role and Impact

Megumi Kurihara was consistently a key player and ace for the Japan women's national volleyball team throughout her tenure. Her powerful spikes and strong serves made her an offensive threat, and her presence was vital in many of Japan's international campaigns. She was a central figure in the "Megukana" generation, inspiring a new wave of interest in Japanese volleyball. Her resilience in overcoming multiple serious injuries and returning to high-level play further solidified her image as a dedicated and impactful athlete.

5.1. Individual Awards

• 2003: Young Eagle Prize at the 52nd Black Eagle Flag All Japan Men and Women Selected Volleyball Tournament
• 2005: Best 6 at the 54th Black Eagle Flag All Japan Men and Women Selected Volleyball Tournament
• 2006: 12th V.League MVP, Serve Award, Best 6
• 2007: 2006-07 Premier League Serve Award, V.League Japan Record Award (Serve Category)
• 2007: Best 6 at the 56th Black Eagle Flag All Japan Men and Women Selected Volleyball Tournament
• 2008: World Grand Prix 2008 Best Scorer, Best Server
• 2008: 14th Princess Cup MVP, Best Spiker
• 2009: 2008-09 Premier League Serve Award
• 2016: V.League Honorary Award (for participating in 230 matches over 10 or more seasons)
• 2023: Best Hair 2023 (30s category)

5.2. Team and National Team Awards

• 2006: 12th V.League Champion, with Pioneer Red Wings
• 2008: Empress's Cup Runner-Up, with Pioneer Red Wings
• 2003: 5th place in the World Cup in Japan
• 2004: 5th place in the Olympic Games of Athens
• 2007: 7th place in the World Cup in Japan
• 2007: Asian Championship Champion
• 2008: 5th place in the Olympic Games of Beijing
• 2010: Bronze medal in the World Championship

7.1. Media and Public Appearances

Kurihara has established herself as a prominent sportscaster, talent, and model. In May 2021, her first digital photobook, "Princess, Again," was released by Kobunsha's Weekly FLASH, featuring her in her first full-fledged gravure shoot, showcasing her excellent physique. On May 22, 2021, she made a surprise appearance at a retirement match (red-white game) organized by Hitachi Rivale to send off her junior players, including Miyaharu Sato, Mainami Haga, Uran Horii, and Yuka Onodera, who had announced their retirements on May 20. She commended her juniors for their strong performances.

Her media presence extends to television, including an appearance on TBS's "Birth Day Vol. 262: Ace Megumi Kurihara's Comeback! The Tears Behind a Turbulent Year," which aired on November 13, 2010, documenting her journey. She also served as a commercial model for Sanyo Marunaka in July 2013, appearing alongside Mai Yamaguchi. In 2008, she collaborated with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and the Police Department as a model for crime prevention posters. That same year, she was recognized at the 5th "The Beauty Week Award," alongside actress Rei Dan and talent Akina Minami, where she shared that her brother, a hairdresser, had been doing her hair color and cuts for four years.

In September 2024, Megumi Kurihara publicly announced her marriage to Kouki (大越光貴_{Ōkoshi Kōki}^Japanese), a model and photographer five years her junior, and her pregnancy, sharing her joy with the public. She also published an autobiography titled "Megumi MEGUMI" in May 2008 (ISBN 978-4-408-45163-3).

7.2. Professional Development

Beyond her media work, Kurihara has actively pursued professional development in areas related to health and wellness. On June 4, 2021, she announced on her Instagram that she had obtained the qualification of "Health and Beauty Food Education Instructor." This followed her earlier announcement in March 2021 that she had also acquired the "Fasting Meister" qualification. These pursuits reflect her interest in health, beauty, and food education, extending her influence beyond the realm of sports. She also signed a two-year advisory contract with the sports equipment manufacturer Descente in December 2008, receiving training wear and other provisions, a relationship that continued as of 2013.

8.1. Family and Relationships

Kurihara was born in Nomi-cho, Saeki-gun, Hiroshima Prefecture (now Etajima City), into a family of four, including her parents and an older brother. Her father is 72 in ^{(182 cm)} tall, her mother is 63 in ^{(160 cm)}, and her brother is 72 in ^{(183 cm)}, making Megumi the tallest in her immediate family. Her husband, Kouki, is also 72 in ^{(183 cm)} tall, the same height as her brother.

8.2. Interests and Anecdotes

During her active playing career, Kurihara was a "dog person," owning a male Pug named Puma, whom she often left with her family due to her demanding training camps and expeditions. However, after her retirement, she became a "cat person" after adopting two rescue American Shorthair cats, and later a third, bringing her total to three feline companions.

An interesting anecdote from her high school days at Mitajiri Girls' High School (now Seiei High School) reveals that one of the first training exercises she undertook was "laughing practice." This was part of a team-building effort to encourage players to share joy when a teammate made a good play, and Kurihara reportedly practiced this in front of the dormitory bathroom mirror.

Her nickname "Kou" (コウ^Japanese) was given to her by Miyuki Takahashi, meaning "aim for the highest" (最高_saikō^Japanese). This nickname was also chosen partly because there was another player named Megumi, Megumi Kawamura, who was one year her senior in Japan and also went by the nickname "Megu."

With her striking looks, including being described as having a "9-head body" (a Japanese term for a very slender and tall physique), Kurihara enjoyed significant popularity. The nickname "Princess Meg" became widely adopted before the 2004 Athens Olympics, reflecting her public appeal. In 2012, she joined LDH JAPAN, a talent agency.

Her training regimen during her playing days, which included bicycle training, sparked an interest in keirin (Japanese track cycling). This led to her becoming a fan of the sport and later even hosting the live broadcast of the Girls Keirin GI "Pearl Cup" in 2023, as well as being invited as a guest for the year-end GP "Odds Park Cup Girls Grand Prix" television broadcast.

9.1. Public Image and Popularity

Known widely as "Princess Meg," Kurihara captivated the public with her exceptional talent and appealing image. Her popularity was widespread, making her a household name and a role model for aspiring young athletes in Japan. Her striking appearance, often described as having a "9-head body," further contributed to her high public profile. She was seen as a symbol of Japanese volleyball, inspiring many with her dedication and resilience.

9.2. Contribution to Volleyball

Kurihara's contribution to Japanese volleyball is undeniable. As a key player and ace for the national team, she was instrumental in numerous international campaigns, including Olympic appearances and a World Championship bronze medal. Her powerful attacking and serving skills were critical offensive weapons. Beyond her on-court performance, her ability to overcome multiple severe injuries, including cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, showcased remarkable determination and served as an inspiration within the sports community. Even after retirement, her continued engagement in sports-related media and her pursuit of health and wellness qualifications demonstrate her ongoing commitment to promoting a healthy and active lifestyle, indirectly contributing to the sport's broader ecosystem.

10.1. Notable Collaborations and Affiliations

• Megukana Generation: This term refers to the generation of Japanese volleyball players that emerged around 2003, prominently featuring Megumi Kurihara and Kana Oyama. Their combined talent and popularity captivated the nation, leading to this enduring nickname for their era.
• LDH: Since 2012, Megumi Kurihara has been affiliated with LDH JAPAN, a major Japanese talent agency and entertainment company. This affiliation has supported her transition into media, modeling, and other public activities post-retirement.