Michito Sakaki
| Michito Sakaki | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Michito Sakaki | ||
| Date of birth | 19 May 1983 | ||
| Place of birth | Japan | ||
| Height | 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Playing career | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| — | Wodonga Raiders | 6 (1) | |
| — | Waseda University | — | |
| International team honours | |||
| Years | Team | Games (Goals) | |
| 2002, 2005 | Japan | 2 | |
Michito Sakaki (born 19 May 1983) is an Australian rules football player from Japan.
Michito has achieved recognition as currently being one of the best and most successful players to learn and play the game outside of Australia.
Sakaki was originally a talented university soccer player at Waseda University. He was spotted playing soccer by an expatriate Australian, one of the members of the Tokyo Goannas, who convinced him to try Aussie Rules as well. Sakaki took quickly to Australian Football and began playing for the university's Australian Rules club, proving good enough to be selected in the national side.
Michito represented the Samurai, the Japanese national Australian Rules team, captaining the side in the Australian Football International Cups in both 2002 and 2005. In 2005, he was awarded with the best and fairest player for Japan in the competition.
A small midfielder/rover (165 cm, 68 kg), Michito impressed many at the tournament with his courageous player and ball winning ability. In a game against Great Britain, he virtually set up all his teams goals.
Sasaki, along with teammate Tsuyoshi Kase was later invited to join the Australian Football League/Australian Institute of Sport academy camp in Canberra.
Late in 2005 Michito was invited, along with Tsuyoshi Kase to train with the AFL club Essendon Football Club by coach Kevin Sheedy.
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Wikipedia