Lee Seung-sin

Lee Seung-sin
Full nameLee Seung-sin
Date of birth (2001-01-13) 13 January 2001 (age 23)
Place of birthKobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan
Height1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight86 kg (190 lb; 13 st 8 lb)
SchoolOsaka Korean High School
UniversityTeikyo University
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fly-half, Centre, Fullback
Current team Kobelco Kobe Steelers
Youth career
2014–2015 Hyōgo School Select
2015 Hyōgo Prefecture Rugby School
2016–2019 Ōsaka Korean High School
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2020– Kobelco Kobe Steelers 46 (230)
Correct as of 21 June 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2020–2023 Junior Japan 4 (17)
2022– Japan 16 (109)
Correct as of 25 August 2024

Lee Seung-sin (李承信, Ri Shōshin, born 13 January 2001) is a Japanese professional rugby union player who plays as a fly-half for Japan Rugby League One club Kobelco Kobe Steelers and the Japan national team.[1][2] Lee is of Korean descent, being a notable Korean in Japan[3] and has stated that he wants to blaze a trail for his country's ethnic Korean population by playing at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.[4][5]

Early life and career

Lee was born in Kobe,[6] on the Japanese main island–region of Kansai in the Hyōgo Prefecture.[7] All throughout his early career he played for schools and selection teams in the Kansai region, also known as Kinki. Lee attended the Hyōgo Prefecture Rugby School, the Ōsaka Korean High School[3] and later Teikyo University in his youth.

At only 19-years-old Lee joined Japan Rugby League One side Kobelco Kobe Steelers. He only made five appearances in his debut season, however he has become more of a pivotal role in the side. Having scored over 100 points in the 2022/23 season.[1][8]

International career

Lee captained Japan High Schools in a tour of Wales in 2019. Scoring in a 32–29 loss against Wales U19s.[9] He captained Japan U20.[8]

In 2020 Lee was named captain of the Junior Japan squad for the World Rugby Pacific Challenge, he led his side to win the competition.[8]

He made his debut in 2022 coming off the bench in a 43–7 win over Uruguay.[10] In 2023 he was named in Jamie Joseph's squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b "Lee SEUNG SIN - Player statistics - It's rugby". www.itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
  2. ^ 一般社団法人ジャパンラグビーリーグワン. "Seungsin Lee （2022） | JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE OFFICIAL SITE". 【公式】NTTジャパンラグビー リーグワン (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-08-24.
  3. ^ a b Matsumoto, Ryusaburo (9 July 2022). "Lee brings pride as ethnic Korean for the Japanese national team". The Asahi Shimbun. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023.
  4. ^ MCKIRDY, Andrew (2023-06-20). "Ethnic Korean Lee Seung-sin hopes to set example in Japan's RWC squad". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
  5. ^ worldticketsandhospitality. "Rugby brings pride as an ethnic Korean to the Japanese Rugby national team". Yoors. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
  6. ^ "李 承信 – コベルコ神戸スティーラーズ" [Seung-Shin Lee – Kobelco Kobe Steelers]. kobesteelers.com. Kobelco Kobe Steelers. Archived from the original on 20 May 2024.
  7. ^ "李 承信" [Seung-Shin Lee]. J Sports. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024.
  8. ^ a b c Hinato (2020-09-30). "L'international U20 japonais Lee Seung Sin signe un contrat professionnel chez Kobelco Steelers". Asierugby (in French). Retrieved 2023-08-24.
  9. ^ "Wales U19 cling on to deny despondent Japan High Schools - Welsh Rugby Union". Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions. 2019-03-27. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
  10. ^ "Seungsin LEE profile and stats". all.rugby. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
  11. ^ rugbybworldcup.com. "Rugby World Cup Pool D squads: Leitch and Horie set for fourth tournament ｜ Rugby World Cup 2023". www.rugbyworldcup.com. Retrieved 2023-08-24.