Takashi Akatsuka

Takashi Akatsuka (赤塚 隆, Akatsuka Takashi) (born Osaka, 8 September 1973), is a former Japanese rugby union player. He played as lock.

Takashi Akatsuka

Born	(1973-09-08) September 8, 1973 (age 52) Osaka, Japan
Height	193 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight	120 kg (265 lb)[1]
School	Josho Gakuen High School
University	Meiji University[2]
Rugby union career
Position Lock Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) Josho Gakuen High School – Meiji University RFC Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 1985-2005 Kubota International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1994-2006 Japan 6 (10)

Career

Originally from Osaka, Akatsuka was educated at Meiji University and played for Kubota, winning the promotions to Kanto League 3 in 1985, Kanto League 2 in 1991 and Kanto League 1 in 1995. Along with his teammate Hideki Nishida, he was the first Kubota player to play internationally for Japan.^[3] Akatsuka was first capped in 1994, during the match against Fiji, at Ehime, on 8 May 1994. He also took part at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, where he played only in the match against New Zealand, in Bloemfontein. After a nine years void, he was called in the Japanese national team by the then-coach Jean-Pierre Élissalde in 2005. Akatsuka last played for Japan against Korea, in Hong Kong, on 25 November 2006.^[4]