Japan Women's U-18 (Youth) Handball National Team Announces Roster for 2nd Training Camp

The Japan Handball Association (a public interest incorporated foundation) is pleased to announce the selection of players and staff for the 2026 Women's Youth (U-18) National Team's second intensive training camp, scheduled from June 27 (Sat) to June 29 (Mon), 2026, at the Ajinomoto National Training Center in Tokyo.

Building upon the first training camp held from May 24 to 26, this 18-member squad will focus on tactical alignment and team cohesion in preparation for the 11th IHF Women's Youth (U-18) Handball World Championship, to be held in Romania from July 29 to August 9, 2026.

Second Training Camp Overview

・Dates: June 27 (Sat) – June 29 (Mon), 2026

・Venue: Ajinomoto National Training Center (Tokyo)

Training Camp Roster

【Staff】

Head Coach: Soki Cho (Japan Handball Association / Fuji University)

Assistant Coach: Mariko Komatsu (Japan Handball Association / The Terraces Hotels Latiida Ryukyu)

Goalkeeping Coach: Riko Komatsu (Japan Handball Association / Kofu Municipal Kitachū Junior High School)

Team Doctor: Shinzo Onishi (Japan Handball Association / Kikkoman General Hospital)

Trainer: Ayaka Takekami (Japan Handball Association / Rikkyo University)

Analyst: Mayu Taguchi (Japan Handball Association / T-FUNCTION Inc.)

【Players】 (Position / Height / Age / Affiliation / Hometown)

Suzuki Yukina PV / 166cm / 18 years old / Kokushikan University / Iwate Prefecture

Iimura Yuri BP / 167cm / 18 years old / Tokai University / Ibaraki Prefecture

Nakaya Kotoko BP / 165cm / 18 years old / Fuji University / Iwate Prefecture

Makino Kokomi BP / 165cm / 18 years old / Kansai University / Kyoto Prefecture

Nakasu Kaina BP / 163cm / 18 years old / Prestige International Alamer Fuchu / Toyama Prefecture

Takeuchi Kokomi PV / 170cm / 17 years old / Showa Gakuin High School / Ibaraki Prefecture

Miura Hina BP / 156cm / 17 years old / Lutheran Gakuin High School / Kumamoto Prefecture

Wakayama Bana BP / 168cm / 17 years old / Senhodai High School / Kumamoto Prefecture

Nakagawa Rinoa LW / 161cm / 17 years old / Senhodai High School / Kumamoto Prefecture

Kanayama Mizuki BP / 166cm / 17 years old / Rakuhoku High School / Kyoto Prefecture

Hamaguchi Rio BP / 168cm / 17 years old / Showa Gakuin High School / Tottori Prefecture

Matsuura Masaru GK / 172cm / 17 years old / Takamatsu Commercial High School / Kagawa Prefecture

Sasaki Oto GK / 171cm / 17 years old / Showa Gakuin High School / Miyagi Prefecture

Uchiyama Honoka PV / 163cm / 17 years old / Senhodai High School / Kumamoto Prefecture

Sakamoto Aisami BP・RW / 168cm / 17 years old / Rakuhoku High School / Kyoto Prefecture

Arakaki Ruui GK / 177cm / 17 years old / Urasoe High School / Okinawa Prefecture

Saito Saho LW / 154cm / 16 years old / Kobe Seiyo High School / Aichi Prefecture

Maeda Riko RW / 170cm / 16 years old / Komatsu Municipal High School / Ishikawa Prefecture

※Age and affiliation as of June 16, 2026

※Position (P): BP (Back Player), LW (Left Wing), RW (Right Wing), PV (Pivot), GK (Goalkeeper)

11th IHF Women's Youth (U-18) Handball World Championship

Dates: July 29 (Wed), 2026 – August 9 (Sun), 2026

Host Country: Romania

Preliminary Round Groups:

Group A: Croatia, France, Egypt, Fiji

Group B: Denmark, Czech Republic, Korea, Mexico

Group C: Spain, Germany, Guinea, Uzbekistan

Group D: Montenegro, Argentina, Netherlands, Portugal

Group E: Hungary, Sweden, Tunisia, Canada

Group F: China, Romania, Kazakhstan, Uruguay

Group G: Slovakia, Japan, Brazil, Angola

Group H: Switzerland, Serbia, Slovenia, Algeria

Japan's Past Tournament Results:

・1st Tournament: 7th place (2006, 11 teams)

・2nd Tournament: 13th place (2008, 16 teams)

・3rd Tournament: 15th place (2010, 19 teams)

・4th Tournament: 8th place (2012, 24 teams)

・5th Tournament: 14th place (2014, 24 teams)

・6th Tournament: 17th place (2016, 24 teams)

・7th Tournament: 14th place (2018, 24 teams)

・10th Tournament: 8th place (2024, 32 teams)