Otemon Gakuin High School Girls' Rugby Team to Compete in International Tournament: Sanix World Rugby Youth Exchange 2026 Features 8 Top Teams from Japan and Abroad
Otemon Gakuin High School's girls' rugby team has qualified for the Sanix World Rugby Youth Exchange Tournament 2026 after winning the Kansai regional qualifiers. This marks the school's return to the prestigious international stage after a four-year hiatus, competing against top domestic and international teams from April 28 in Fukuoka.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 14:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 22:35 (8h 3m after Collected)
The girls' rugby team of Otemon Gakuin High School (Ibaraki City, Osaka; Principal: Atsushi Kiuchi) will participate in the 'Sanix World Rugby Youth Exchange Tournament 2026,' starting Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at the Global Arena in Munakata City, Fukuoka Prefecture.
This tournament is an annual international event for the high school generation held during Golden Week. In the girls' sevens category where Otemon Gakuin will compete, a total of eight teams—four from Japan and four from overseas—will participate. Additionally, in connection with their participation, a courtesy visit to Mayor Yoichi Fukuoka and Superintendent Emiko Morioka of Ibaraki City is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, at 2:00 PM.
Key Points:
- Otemon Gakuin High School Girls' Rugby Team competes in the Sanix World Rugby Youth Exchange Tournament 2026.
- The girls' sevens tournament features eight teams (4 domestic, 4 international), starting April 28.
- Qualified as the 1st place in the Kansai region; courtesy visit to the Mayor of Ibaraki scheduled for May 19.
About the Team:
The Otemon Gakuin High School Girls' Rugby Team has built a strong track record in national and regional tournaments. Recently, they secured 4th place in the 8th National U18 Girls' Sevens Rugby Football Tournament, 1st place in the Kinki Block Qualifiers, and were runners-up in last year's Sanix World Rugby Youth Kansai Qualifiers. Having achieved 1st place in the Kansai qualifiers held at their school this time, they secured their spot for the 2026 international tournament.
The Sanix World Rugby Youth Exchange Tournament 2026 is a global stage where high schoolers from around the world compete. Otemon Gakuin will start from the preliminary pool on April 28, facing various teams including those from abroad. They aim to leverage their experience from domestic and regional competitions on this international stage.
Following the tournament, on May 19, the team will visit Mayor Yoichi Fukuoka and Superintendent Emiko Morioka of Ibaraki City to report their results.
Message from Coach Tsukasa Tsujimoto:
'Thank you for your warm support. This tournament has limited spots and breaking through the qualifiers was difficult. This is our long-awaited appearance after four years. We will fight with the aim of reaching even higher and winning the championship.'
Message from Captain Aoi Ichinose:
'We are challenging Sanix with the goal of winning. With gratitude in our hearts for the precious opportunity to play against world powerhouses and for all those who support us, we will fight with our full strength as one team under our slogan "Choyetsu" (Surpassing the Peak). Please support us.'
This tournament is an annual international event for the high school generation held during Golden Week. In the girls' sevens category where Otemon Gakuin will compete, a total of eight teams—four from Japan and four from overseas—will participate. Additionally, in connection with their participation, a courtesy visit to Mayor Yoichi Fukuoka and Superintendent Emiko Morioka of Ibaraki City is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, at 2:00 PM.
Key Points:
- Otemon Gakuin High School Girls' Rugby Team competes in the Sanix World Rugby Youth Exchange Tournament 2026.
- The girls' sevens tournament features eight teams (4 domestic, 4 international), starting April 28.
- Qualified as the 1st place in the Kansai region; courtesy visit to the Mayor of Ibaraki scheduled for May 19.
About the Team:
The Otemon Gakuin High School Girls' Rugby Team has built a strong track record in national and regional tournaments. Recently, they secured 4th place in the 8th National U18 Girls' Sevens Rugby Football Tournament, 1st place in the Kinki Block Qualifiers, and were runners-up in last year's Sanix World Rugby Youth Kansai Qualifiers. Having achieved 1st place in the Kansai qualifiers held at their school this time, they secured their spot for the 2026 international tournament.
The Sanix World Rugby Youth Exchange Tournament 2026 is a global stage where high schoolers from around the world compete. Otemon Gakuin will start from the preliminary pool on April 28, facing various teams including those from abroad. They aim to leverage their experience from domestic and regional competitions on this international stage.
Following the tournament, on May 19, the team will visit Mayor Yoichi Fukuoka and Superintendent Emiko Morioka of Ibaraki City to report their results.
Message from Coach Tsukasa Tsujimoto:
'Thank you for your warm support. This tournament has limited spots and breaking through the qualifiers was difficult. This is our long-awaited appearance after four years. We will fight with the aim of reaching even higher and winning the championship.'
Message from Captain Aoi Ichinose:
'We are challenging Sanix with the goal of winning. With gratitude in our hearts for the precious opportunity to play against world powerhouses and for all those who support us, we will fight with our full strength as one team under our slogan "Choyetsu" (Surpassing the Peak). Please support us.'