FENCERS from Japan

Top 10

The following people are considered by Pantheon to be the top 10 most legendary Japanese Fencers of all time. This list of famous Japanese Fencers is sorted by HPI (Historical Popularity Index), a metric that aggregates information on a biography's online popularity. Visit the rankings page to view the entire list of Japanese Fencers.

1. Koki Kano (b. 1997)

With an HPI of 38.89, Koki Kano is the most famous Japanese Fencer.  His biography has been translated into 25 different languages on wikipedia.

Koki Kano (加納 虹輝, Kanō Kōki, born 19 December 1997) is a Japanese right-handed épée fencer.

2. Yuki Ota (b. 1985)

With an HPI of 38.22, Yuki Ota is the 2nd most famous Japanese Fencer.  His biography has been translated into 21 different languages.

Yuki Ota (太田 雄貴, Ōta Yūki; born 25 November 1985 in Otsu, Shiga) is a Japanese foil fencer, gold medallist at the 2006 Asian Games, silver medallist at the 2008 Summer Olympics, team silver medallist at the 2012 Summer Olympics, and individual gold medallist at the 2015 World Fencing Championships. He is a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

3. Suguru Awaji (b. 1989)

With an HPI of 36.98, Suguru Awaji is the 3rd most famous Japanese Fencer.  His biography has been translated into 15 different languages.

Suguru Awaji (淡路 卓, Awaji Suguru; born 26 July 1989) is a Japanese fencer. At the 2012 Summer Olympics he won a silver medal in the team foil event. In 2008, he was the Junior Men's Foil World Champion.

4. Kazuyasu Minobe (b. 1987)

With an HPI of 36.77, Kazuyasu Minobe is the 4th most famous Japanese Fencer.  His biography has been translated into 21 different languages.

Kazuyasu Minobe (見延 和靖, Minobe Kazuyasu; born 15 July 1987) is a Japanese left-handed épée fencer, 2016 team Asian champion, two-time Olympian, and 2021 team Olympic champion. Along with Koki Kano, Masaru Yamada, and Satoru Uyama, Minobe was a member of the Japanese team that won gold in the team men's épée event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. It was Japan's first Olympic gold medal in fencing.

5. Masaru Yamada (b. 1994)

With an HPI of 36.73, Masaru Yamada is the 5th most famous Japanese Fencer.  His biography has been translated into 20 different languages.

Masaru Yamada (山田優, Yamada Masaru, born 14 June 1994) is a Japanese right-handed épée fencer, 2016 team Asian champion, 2019 individual Asian champion, and 2021 team Olympic champion. Along with Koki Kano, Kazuyasu Minobe, and Satoru Uyama, Yamada was a member of the Japanese team that won gold in the team men's épée event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. It was Japan's first Olympic gold medal in fencing.

6. Kenta Chida (b. 1985)

With an HPI of 35.04, Kenta Chida is the 6th most famous Japanese Fencer.  His biography has been translated into 16 different languages.

Kenta Chida (千田健太, Chida Kenta; born 2 August 1985) is a Japanese fencer. At the 2012 Summer Olympics he competed in the men's foil, but was defeated in the second round. He won a silver medal in the team foil event.

7. Satoru Uyama (b. 1991)

With an HPI of 34.41, Satoru Uyama is the 7th most famous Japanese Fencer.  His biography has been translated into 18 different languages.

Satoru Uyama (宇山 賢, Uyama Satoru, born 10 December 1991) is a Japanese right-handed épée fencer, 2016 team Asian champion, and 2021 team Olympic champion. Along with Koki Kano, Masaru Yamada, and Kazuyasu Minobe, Uyama was a member of the Japanese team that won gold in the team men's épée event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. It was Japan's first Olympic gold medal in fencing.

8. Ryo Miyake (b. 1990)

With an HPI of 34.01, Ryo Miyake is the 8th most famous Japanese Fencer.  His biography has been translated into 16 different languages.

Ryo Miyake (三宅 諒, Miyake Ryō; born 24 December 1990) is a Japanese fencer. At the 2012 Summer Olympics he competed in the Men's foil, but was defeated in the second round. He won a silver medal in the team foil event. During the postponement of the 2020 Summer Olympics, Miyake worked as a deliveryman for Uber Eats.

9. Takahiro Shikine (b. 1997)

With an HPI of 33.37, Takahiro Shikine is the 9th most famous Japanese Fencer.  His biography has been translated into 15 different languages.

Takahiro Shikine (敷根 崇裕, Shikine Takahiro; born 7 December 1997) is a Japanese right-handed foil fencer, 2019 team Asian champion, 2019 individual Asian champion, and 2021 Olympian. Shikine competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

10. Misaki Emura (b. 1998)

With an HPI of 32.68, Misaki Emura is the 10th most famous Japanese Fencer.  Her biography has been translated into 15 different languages.

Misaki Emura (Japanese: 江村美咲, born 20 November 1998) is a Japanese fencer. She is a two-time gold medalist in the women's sabre event at the World Fencing Championships (2022 and 2023). She also won the gold medal in her event at the 2024 Asian Fencing Championships held in Kuwait City, Kuwait.