Rion Ishikawa

Defender • Age 23 • #3

Rion Ishikawa is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender. She represents Japan at senior international level.

Photo: IMAGO | IMAGO / Sports Press Photo

125 Appearances

2 Goals

6 Trophies

9 Awards

Fun Facts about Rion

Quirky facts. Inspired by her game.

Before taking up football, Rion competed in rhythmic gymnastics. It was through the sport that she first discovered the magic of the Olympic Games.

Rion was introduced to football by her sister, who is one year older, and quickly fell in love with the teamwork and mutual support the sport offered.

After making a mistake, Rion repeats “daijōbu” — “It’s okay” — to herself. She developed the habit during her academy years to control her anxiety, rebuild her confidence and immediately refocus on helping the team.

“Are you okay?” became one of Rion’s trademark phrases because she is constantly checking on the people around her. She approaches younger players when they look discouraged and even uses training breaks to help the goalkeepers move full-sized goals.

Mathematics was Rion’s favourite school subject because she enjoyed solving problems — although Hikaru Kitagawa teasingly revealed that Rion was not always one of the best at finding the answers when academy teammates worked on maths questions together in away hotels.