By Nick Gasparro
Chula Vista, CA – The Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center is happy to welcome back the Japan Men’s and Women’s Rugby Sevens National Teams to campus. A total of 31 athletes will be attending the Japan Rugby Sevens National Team training camps at the CVEATC, accompanied by 29 staff members. The men’s team will get things started here, as their camp begins on February 13-23, meanwhile the women’s camp will run through February 19-25. During their time at the CVEATC, Japan Rugby Sevens will have access to our rugby fields, strength & conditioning center, conference rooms, dining services (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and overnight stay in our dormitories. The women’s team will also be scrimmaging the U.S. Women’s Eagle Sevens on campus during their stay. This is the second consecutive year the Japan Rugby Sevens National Team has trained at the CVEATC, the last being in August 2022.
The Japan Men’s Sevens National Team is currently preparing for the next HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series round, which will be in Los Angeles, CA, February 25-26. As things stand, Japan Men’s Sevens are in 16th place in the HSBC standings, with six tournaments to go. The 2023 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series is bigger than ever this year with Olympic Qualification at stake, as the top 4 on the men’s and women’s side will secure their spots to Paris 2024.
To date, Japan Men’s Sevens had arguably its greatest ever moment at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, where they finished in 4th place. The 2006, 2010, and 2014 Asian Games gold medalists shocked the world when they beat powerhouses New Zealand and France, before falling to Fiji in the semis and South Africa in the bronze medal match.
The Japan Women’s Sevens National Team, also known as the “Sakura Sevens”, are preparing for their next HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, which will be in Vancouver, Canada on March 3-5. During their time at the CVEATC, the Sakura Sevens will be scrimmaging our very own USA Women’s Eagles Sevens, as both teams gear up for the 5th round of the HSBC Women’s World Rugby Sevens Series, with only two rounds to follow.
Currently the Sakura Sevens sit in 6th place in the HSBC Women’s standings, while Team USA is tied for 2nd with Australia. The Sakura Sevens are aiming to make their third straight Olympic Games.
The Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center would like to wish the Japan Men’s and Women’s Rugby Sevens National Teams the best of luck with the remaining 2023 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series matches and hope to see them battle it out at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
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