Japan men and women secure Olympic qualification in Osaka

asiarugby.com -- Nov 20

There was double delight for Japan as both the men’s and women’s team became the final regional qualifiers for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 with victory in the Asia Rugby qualification tournament in Osaka.

Both teams competed in the inaugural Olympic rugby sevens in Rio in 2016 and were present again as hosts in Tokyo in 2021, and they will now complete a hat-trick of appearances in the French capital next year.

The women were first to qualify with a 21-14 win against China before the men staged a dramatic comeback to beat Hong Kong China by an identical scoreline.

The final lived up to its billing as a match-up between the reigning Asia Rugby Sevens Series champions Japan and Asia Games gold medal winners China as momentum swung one way and then the other. ...continue reading