Homare Sawa - A Detailed Overview
Early Life and Education
Homare Sawa was born on September 6, 1978, in Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan. Her love for football began at a very early age when she started playing the sport alongside her older brother. By the age of 12, she was already playing for the youth team of Nippon TV Beleza, a club in the Women's Soccer League of Japan. Despite her keen interest in football, she always prioritized her education and balanced both efficiently.
Professional Career Beginnings
Sawa's professional career began at the tender age of 15 when she started playing for Yomiuri-Seiyu Beleza in 1993. During her time with the team from 1993 to 1998, she won numerous titles and developed a reputation as one of the best players in the Women's Soccer League of Japan. In this time, Sawa also made her debut for the Japanese national team in 1993 at the age of 15.
Move to the United States
In the late-1990s, Sawa moved to the United States to play in the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA), the first professional women's football league in the country. She first joined the Atlanta Beat, helping the team to reach the championship match in both seasons she played. Later she switched to the Washington Freedom where she played alongside Mia Hamm, one of the world's most prolific female soccer players and won the league title in 2003.
Return to Japan and Continued Success
After WUSA folded in 2003, Sawa returned to Japan and rejoined her former club, Yomiuri-Seiyu Beleza. Her return was marked with exceptional performances and she helped the club to claim multiple Nadeshiko League titles. After a brief stint back in the United States with the Washington Freedom, she returned to Japan once again in 2011 and signed for INAC Kobe Leonessa where she would continue to add to her trophy haul.
International Career Achievements
Sawa has been a stalwart of the Japan national team, earning over 200 caps since her debut in 1993. She represented Japan in six FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments and four Olympics. Her defining moment came at the 2011 Women's World Cup, where she led the Japanese team to its first-ever World Cup title, scoring five goals throughout the tournament and winning both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards. The crowning glory of her career came in 2012 as she was awarded the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year - becoming the first Asian player to win this accolade.
Retirement
After an illustrious career laced with numerous accolades and trophies, Homare Sawa announced her retirement from professional football on December 17, 2015, at the age of 37. She continued to be involved in the sport after her retirement, looking to inspire the younger generation of footballers and contributing to the women's football industry through her roles as an advisor for the Japan Football Association and FIFA.
Personal Life
Homare Sawa married former footballer Hiroaki Tsujikami in 2015. Away from football, she keeps a low profile but got public attention in Japan when she announced in 2016 she was donating her brain to medical research. Sawa had suffered from vertigo-like symptoms earlier in her career and revealed that she wanted to contribute to the study of brain diseases, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy – a condition linked to repeated blows to the head.
Legacy
Recognized as one of the greatest female footballers ever, Sawa has inspired a generation of footballers worldwide. She is admired for her vision, creativity, and scoring ability from midfield. Her exceptional leadership drove Japan to its maiden World Cup title in 2011, a performance that remains iconic in the sport. Known for her humility and work ethic, Sawa continues to inspire, decades after her career began.
