Saori Kimura
A Japanese volleyball phenom who carried her nation's hopes for a generation, her powerful spikes and captain's spirit leading the team to an Olympic bronze medal.
Born 1986 (age 40)·Japanese former volleyball player·Birthday: August 19·Millennials
Biography
For over a decade, Saori Kimura was the face of Japanese volleyball. Bursting onto the scene as a teenager, her powerful left-handed attacks and astonishing versatility—she could, and did, play every position on the front row—made her an instant sensation. She shouldered the immense pressure of being Japan's star player through four consecutive Olympic Games, a testament to her skill and durability. Her leadership was formalized when she was named captain, guiding a team known for its speed and defensive grit. The pinnacle of her international career came at the 2012 London Olympics, where she led a thrilling charge to the bronze medal, a moment of national celebration. Domestically, she was the centerpiece of the Toray Arrows, her attacking prowess making them perennial contenders. Kimura's career bridged eras for Japanese volleyball, inspiring a new wave of players with a style that combined technical finesse with raw, game-changing power.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Saori was born in 1986, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Saori Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Saori's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Captained the Japan women's national volleyball team to a bronze medal at the 2012 London Summer Olympics.
- Competed in four consecutive Olympic Games (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016), a rare feat of longevity in the sport.
- Was a central star for the Toray Arrows in the V.League, known for her dominant offensive performances.
- Earned the nickname 'The Goddess of Volleyball' in Japan for her skill and popularity.
Did You Know?
She is a left-handed attacker, which gave her a distinct advantage and made her spikes difficult for blockers to read.
Her father, Yūki Kimura, was also a professional volleyball player in Japan.
She announced her retirement from the national team in 2016 after the Rio Olympics, concluding a 14-year international career.
She has worked as a volleyball commentator and analyst for Japanese television following her playing days.
“The ball is not heavy; the pressure is heavy.”
