Rihei Sano facts for kids

Rihei Sano (born September 21, 1912 – died March 26, 1992) was a Japanese football player. He was a talented goalkeeper who played for the Japan national team.

Playing for Clubs: Waseda WMW

Rihei Sano was born in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. He played football for a team called Waseda WMW. This team was special because it was made up of players who were either students or graduates from Waseda University.

Playing for Japan: The National Team

In 1936, while still a student at Waseda University, Sano was chosen to play for the Japan national team. He traveled with the team to the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany.

The "Miracle of Berlin" Match

On August 4, 1936, Rihei Sano played his first game for Japan against Sweden. Sweden was a very strong team, and Japan was not expected to win. However, Japan made an amazing comeback! They won the game, which was their first-ever victory in the Olympics. This incredible win became known as the "Miracle of Berlin" in Japan.

Later Games and Recognition

A few days later, on August 7, Sano also played against Italy. In total, he played 2 games for Japan in 1936. Years later, in 2016, the entire team from the "Miracle of Berlin" was honored. They were chosen to be part of the Japan Football Hall of Fame for their historic achievement.

Rihei Sano passed away on March 26, 1992, when he was 79 years old.

National Team Statistics

Here's a quick look at Rihei Sano's games for the Japan national team:

See also

In Spanish: Rihei Sano para niños