Miharu Kobayashi, a third-year student in J. F. Oberlin University’s College of Arts and Sciences, has been chosen as one of the 20 members of Japan’s Under-23 women’s soccer team for the Sixth East Asian Games, to be held October 7–11 in Tianjin, China. Kobayashi plays as a defender for NTV Beleza. The East Asian Games began in 1993 and are held every four years. This is the first time that Japan has sent a women’s soccer team to the Games.

Kobayashi played soccer in junior high and high school and has been selected to represent Japan in other tournaments in the past. She commented, “This is the first time in a while that I’ve been selected for a tournament, and I hope to make my mark.” Kobayashi’s best time over 50 meters is 6.9 seconds, and she has the physical skills and stamina to play all-out for an entire 90-minute game.