Ayaka Ikehara
Japanese handball player (born 1990)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ayaka Ikehara (born 24 September 1990) is a Japanese handball player for Nykøbing Falster Håndboldklub and the Japanese national team.
| Ayaka Ikehara | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Born |
24 September 1990 Urasoe, Japan | ||
| Nationality | Japanese | ||
| Height | 1.57 m (5 ft 2 in) | ||
| Playing position | Right wing | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Odense Håndbold | ||
| Number | 21 | ||
| Senior clubs | |||
| Years | Team | ||
2012–2017 | MIE violet' IRIS | ||
2017–2020 | Nykøbing Falster | ||
2020–2023 | Odense Håndbold | ||
2023– | Nykøbing Falster | ||
| National team | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2012– | Japan | 37 | (95) |
Medal record | |||
Early life
Ikehara was born on 24 September 1990 in Urasoe, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.[1][2]
Career
In 2013, Ikehara was selected for the Japan women's national team that took part in the 2013 World Women's Handball Championship in Serbia.[3] Japan were eliminated in the round of 16 after losing 27–19 to France.[4]
She was again selected for Japan at the 2015 World Women's Handball Championship in Denmark.[5] Japan did not fare as well after being eliminated in the preliminary group stage. They participated in the President's Cup play-off, losing 29–24 to China before defeating Puerto Rico 44–15.[6]
In 2017, she joined Nykøbing Falster in Denmark and began playing in the Damehåndboldligaen.[2]
Ikehara was again part of the Japan squad at the 2017 World Women's Handball Championship in Germany. Japan finished third in their group after wins against Montenegro and Tunisia. In the round of 16, they faced the Netherlands and were eliminated after losing 26–24 after extra time.[7]
The 2019 World Women's Handball Championship was held in Japan and Ikehara was again part of the squad. Japan fared well at the tournament as the host nation. In the preliminary round, they defeated Argentina, DR Congo and China which saw them qualify for the main round as the third-placed team in their group. However, they were eliminated in the main round after winning just one of their five group matches.[8]
In 2020, Ikehara joined Odense Håndbold of Denmark.[2] With Odense Håndbold, Ikehara twice won the Damehåndboldligaen in 2020–21 and 2021–22.[9][10]
Ikehara made her Olympic debut at the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.[1] Despite a 29–26 victory against Montenegro, Japan were eliminated at the group stage.[11]
In 2023, Ikehara returned to Nykøbing Falster.[2]
Achievements
- Danish League:
- Gold Medalist: 2021, 2022
- Carpathian Trophy:
- Bronze Medalist: 2019
Individual awards
- All-Star Right Wing of Damehåndboldligaen: 2017/18
