Megumi Abe
Megumi Abe | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 28, 1998 Japan |
| Occupation | Rugby union player |
| Known for | Representing Japan at the 2021 Rugby World Cup |
Megumi Abe (born 28 April 1998) is a Japanese rugby union athlete who has represented Japan at the 2021 Rugby World Cup.
Early career
Abe started playing rugby after discontinuing volleyball at the age of ten. She attended Iwamichisuikan High School, where she contributed to the girls sevens team’s victory in a national championship during her senior year, completing her studies in 2017. She later graduated from Rissho University in 2021.
Rugby career
Abe made her international debut for Japan on 13 July 2019 in a match against Australia. In 2022, she took part in Japan’s inaugural test match against the Black Ferns prior to the World Cup. Selected for the Japanese squad at the postponed 2021 Rugby World Cup held in New Zealand, she was the tournament’s smallest participant and scored an early try against the United States, although Japan was defeated 17–30.
During the first-ever 2023 WXV 2 competition, Abe received the Mastercard player of the match honor as Japan secured a 32–10 victory over Samoa.
She competes in both sevens and fifteens formats for Japan. In 2024, Abe was among the try scorers—registering one of ten tries—in a win against Kazakhstan at the 2024 Asia Rugby Women's Championship, which ensured Japan’s qualification for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup.
In April 2025, Abe was included in Japan’s squad for their tour in the United States. Subsequently, on 28 July 2025, she was named to the Sakura’s roster for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup scheduled to take place in England.