Saori Kimura: Japan’s Volleyball Star of a Generation
Saori Kimura: Japan’s Volleyball Star of a Generation
A four-time Olympian who led Japan to London 2012 bronze. Here is the career of Saori Kimura.
Saori Kimura is one of the greatest players in Japanese women’s volleyball history. A four-time Olympian and national-team captain, she led Japan to bronze at the London 2012 Olympics — the country’s first women’s volleyball Olympic medal in 28 years.
1. Four Olympics
A career at the top.
Kimura competed at four Olympics (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016), captaining Japan and becoming the heartbeat of the team for over a decade.1
2. London 2012 bronze
Ending a long wait.
At London 2012, Japan beat South Korea 3–0 to win bronze — the country’s first women’s volleyball Olympic medal in 28 years, with Kimura central to the run.1
3. An all-court star
Versatile and complete.
Renowned for her versatility, powerful spiking and defence, Kimura was named FIVB’s Japanese female player of the decade. She retired in 2017.1
4. Why she matters
The face of an era.
Kimura carried Japanese women’s volleyball through the 2000s and 2010s, a worthy heir to the legacy of the Oriental Witches.
Frequently asked questions
What did Saori Kimura win?
Olympic bronze at London 2012 — Japan’s first women’s volleyball Olympic medal in 28 years.
How many Olympics did she play?
Four — 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016.
When did she retire?
In 2017, after a long career with Toray Arrows and Japan.
Keep exploring
Explore the stories, systems and culture behind Japanese sport.
Sources & notes
- Four Olympics (2004/2008/2012/2016); London 2012 bronze (Japan’s first women’s volleyball Olympic medal in 28 years, beat South Korea 3–0); Japan captain; FIVB Japanese female player of the decade; retired 2017. Wikipedia; FIVB.
A profile dated 22 June 2026. No copyrighted material is reproduced.
📅 更新履歴
| 日付 | 変更内容 |
|---|---|
| 2026年6月22日 | 初回公開 |
✅ ファクト再検証
最終検証日：2026年6月22日
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