Nahomi Kawasumi facts for kids

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Nahomi Kawasumi

Kawasumi, April 2017
Personal information
Date of birth	(1985-09-23) 23 September 1985 (age 39)
Place of birth	Yamato, Kanagawa, Japan
Height	157 cm (5 ft 2 in)
Playing position	Forward, Midfielder
Club information
Current club	Albirex Niigata Ladies
Number	19
Youth career
1998–2003	Yamato Sylphid
2004–2007	Nippon Sport Science University
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2008–2016	INAC Kobe Leonessa	144	(58)
2014	→ Seattle Reign FC (loan)	22	(9)
2016–2018	Seattle Reign FC	48	(9)
2016	→ INAC Kobe Leonessa (loan)	11	(2)
2019–2023	NJ/NY Gotham FC	66	(2)
2020	→ INAC Kobe Leonessa (loan)	9	(0)
2023–	Albirex Niigata Ladies	0	(0)
National team‡
2008–2018	Japan	90	(20)
Honours INAC Kobe Leonessa Winner Nadeshiko League 2011 Winner Nadeshiko League 2012 Winner Nadeshiko League 2013 Runner-up Nadeshiko League 2008 Runner-up Nadeshiko League 2016 Winner Nadeshiko League Cup 2013 Runner-up Nadeshiko League Cup 2012 Winner Empress's Cup 2010 Winner Empress's Cup 2011 Winner Empress's Cup 2012 Winner 2013 {{{3}}} Winner Empress's Cup 2015 Winner Empress's Cup 2016 Runner-up Empress's Cup 2008 Representing  Japan Olympic Games Silver 2012 London Team FIFA Women's World Cup Gold 2011 Germany Silver 2015 Canada AFC Women's Asian Cup Gold 2014 Vietnam Gold 2018 Jordan Bronze 2008 Vietnam Bronze 2010 China Asian Games Gold 2010 Guangzhou Team Silver 2014 Incheon Team
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 5:27, 24 July 2023 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 18:02, 23 February 2023 (UTC)

Nahomi Kawasumi (川澄 奈穂美, Kawasumi Nahomi, born 23 September 1985) is a famous Japanese footballer. She plays as a midfielder or forward. Currently, she plays for the Japanese club Albirex Niigata.

Kawasumi has been a part of the Japanese national team since 2008. She helped her team win the 2011 World Cup. She also won silver medals at the 2012 London Olympics and the 2015 World Cup. During the 2011 World Cup, she scored two important goals. One was a fantastic shot from far away against Sweden in the semifinals. Her goals helped Japan win the tournament for the first time ever.

Early Life and Soccer Beginnings

Nahomi Kawasumi grew up in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. This area is about 40 minutes south of Tokyo. She started playing soccer when she was young, following her older sister's example.

In elementary school, she played for a team called the Rinkan Lemons. Her future teammate on the Japanese national team, Megumi Kamionobe, also played with her. Kawasumi and Kamionobe were amazing players, scoring about 70% of their team's goals! After school, Kawasumi went on to study at Nippon Sport Science University.

Club Career Highlights

Nahomi Kawasumi has played for several top football clubs. She has shown great skill and leadership throughout her career.

Playing for INAC Kobe Leonessa

Kawasumi joined INAC Kobe Leonessa in 2008. This team became a big part of her career.

In 2011, she was named the league's most valuable player (MVP). She was also the captain when INAC won its first league championship. The team had a fantastic season, winning 12 games, drawing 3, and losing none.

Kawasumi was named the league's MVP again in 2013. She scored twelve goals that season, which was the second-highest in the league. She was also chosen for the league's "Best Eleven" team for the fourth year in a row. INAC Kobe Leonessa won their third championship in a row that year. They finished first with an amazing record of 16 wins, 0 losses, and 2 draws.

In 2013, INAC Kobe also won the 2013 International Women's Club Championship. Kawasumi scored a goal in the semifinal match. Her team then beat Chelsea L.F.C. in the final game.

Time with Seattle Reign FC

In 2014, Kawasumi joined Seattle Reign FC in the United States on a loan. She quickly made a big impact.

She scored two goals in one game against the Boston Breakers, helping Seattle win 3–2. For this, she was named the NWSL Player of the Week. A few weeks later, she scored two more goals and made an assist against Portland Thorns FC, leading her team to a 5–0 victory. She earned the Player of the Week award again! Kawasumi finished the 2014 season with 9 goals and 5 assists. She was also chosen for the NWSL Best XI team.

Kawasumi returned to Seattle Reign FC in 2016. In her first game back, she scored two goals against the Boston Breakers and was again named Player of the Week. Even though she played well, the team missed the playoffs that year.

In 2017, Kawasumi set a new NWSL record by making four assists in a single game! She played in all 24 games that season and scored six goals. However, Seattle still missed the playoffs. In 2018, her playing time decreased, and she decided to look for a new team.

Return to INAC Kobe Leonessa (on loan)

After the 2016 NWSL season, Kawasumi went back to INAC Kobe Leonessa on loan. She helped her former club win the Empress's Cup in 2016.

Playing for NJ/NY Gotham FC

In 2019, Kawasumi moved to another NWSL club, NJ/NY Gotham FC (which was called Sky Blue FC at the time). She played for them until July 2023.

Joining Albirex Niigata

In July 2023, Kawasumi returned to Japan and signed with WE League club Albirex Niigata.

International Career

Kawasumi (right) during the 2012 Summer Olympics gold medal match against the United States.

Nahomi Kawasumi started playing for the Japanese national team, known as Nadeshiko Japan, in 2008. She scored her first goal for Japan against Finland in 2011.

Winning the World Cup

During the semifinal match of the 2011 World Cup against Sweden, Kawasumi scored two goals. This helped Japan win 3–1 and reach the final against the United States. She scored the tying goal and then the winning goal in that game. Japan went on to win the World Cup by beating the United States in a penalty shootout. It was Japan's first World Cup title!

Olympic Silver Medal

Kawasumi was also on Japan's team for the 2012 London Olympics. She scored her first goal of the tournament against Canada. Japan won that game 2–1.

Japan made it all the way to the final, where they faced the United States again. This time, the U.S. won 2–1, and Japan earned a silver medal. Kawasumi played in every match for Japan during the Olympics.

Later International Play

Kawasumi continued to be a key player for Nadeshiko Japan. She helped the team reach the final of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, where they finished as runners-up. Her cross led to an own goal by an English defender, which sent Japan into that final.

After Japan did not qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics, many older players, including Kawasumi, were not called up for the national team. However, she was brought back to the Nadeshiko team in March 2018 after two years away. Her experience helped the team win the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup.

Off the Pitch

Outside of playing soccer, Nahomi Kawasumi has appeared in commercials. She has been in ads for products like CalorieMate, Toyota, and a skin care brand called Acnelogy.

Career Statistics

Club

International

Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Kawasumi goal.

List of international goals scored by Nahomi Kawasumi

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	4 March 2011	Lagos, Portugal	Finland	2–0	5–0	2011 Algarve Cup
2	9 March 2011	Parchal, Portugal	Sweden |	1–2	1–2	2011 Algarve Cup
3	13 July 2011	Commerzbank-Arena, Frankfurt, Germany	Sweden	1–1	3–1	2011 FIFA Women's World Cup
4				3–1
5	1 September 2011	Shandong Provincial Stadium, Jinan, China	Thailand	1–0	3–0	2012 Summer Olympics qualification
6	5 September 2011	Shandong Provincial Stadium, Jinan, China	Australia	1–0	1–0	2012 Summer Olympics qualification
7	29 February 2012	Parchal, Portugal	Norway	2–1	2–1	2012 Algarve Cup
8	7 March 2012	Estádio Algarve, Faro, Portugal	Germany	1–2	3–4	2012 Algarve Cup
9	25 July 2012	City of Coventry Stadium, Coventry, United Kingdom	Canada	1–0	2–1	2012 Summer Olympics
10	11 March 2013	Estádio Algarve, Faro, Portugal	Denmark	2–0	2–0	2013 Algarve Cup
11	26 June 2013	Pirelli Stadium, Burton upon Trent, England	England	1–1	1–1	Friendly Match
12	22 September 2013	Nagasaki Athletic Stadium, Isahaya, Japan	Nigeria	2–0	2–0	Friendly Match
13	26 May 2014	Thống Nhất Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam	Vietnam	1–0	4–0	2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup
14				4–0
15	18 September 2014	Namdong Asiad Rugby Field, Incheon, South Korea	Jordan	1–0	12–0	2014 Asian Games
16				12–0
17	22 September 2014	Incheon Munhak Stadium, Incheon, South Korea	Chinese Taipei	0–3	0–3	2014 Asian Games
18	28 October 2014	Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, Canada	Canada	0–3	0–3	Friendly Match
19	9 March 2015	Stadium Bela Vista, Parchal, Portugal	France	1–0	1–3	2015 Algarve Cup
20	7 March 2016	Kincho Stadium, Osaka, Japan	Vietnam	3–1	6–1	2016 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament

Honours and Awards

Nahomi Kawasumi has won many awards and championships throughout her career.

INAC Kobe Leonessa

• Nadeshiko League: 2011, 2012, 2013 (Won the league championship)
• Empress's Cup: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 (Won this national cup)
• Nadeshiko League Cup: 2013 (Won the league cup)
• International Women's Club Championship: 2013 (Won this international club tournament)

Seattle Reign FC

• NWSL Shield (regular season winners): 2014 (Finished first in the regular season)

Japan National Team

• FIFA Women's World Cup: 2011 (Gold Medal)
• FIFA Women's World Cup Runner-Up: 2015 (Silver Medal)
• Olympic Games Silver Medal: 2012 (Silver Medal)
• AFC Women's Asian Cup: 2014, 2018 (Gold Medal)
• Asian Games: 2010 (Gold Medal)
• Summer Universiade: 2005 (Won this university sports event)

Individual Awards

• Japan Women's Football League

• MVP: 2011, 2013 (Most Valuable Player)
• Top Scorers (1): 2011 (Scored the most goals)
• Best XI: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 (Chosen as one of the best 11 players)

• NWSL

• Player of the Week: Week 13, Week 16 (2014 season); Week 11 (2016 season); Week 5 (2017 season)
• Best XI: 2014 (Chosen as one of the best 11 players)