Biography
Who is Mana Iwabuchi?
Early life and education
Mana Iwabuchi grew up in Musashino, Japan. She began playing football at the age of six, though she also studied piano and ballet during her childhood. Her brother, Ryota, and his coach encouraged her to join a team for a year before she finally started playing at age eight.
She joined Sekimae SC, a local club where her brother played. Because she was the first female member, the organization changed its name to Sekimae Soccer Club. During these early years, she trained alongside older boys and demonstrated her ability to dribble past them with ease. Mana Iwabuchi eventually attended Komazawa University to study in the Faculty of Intercultural Studies.
Club career highlights
Mana made her professional debut with Nippon TV Beleza in 2007. She earned the Best Young Player award in 2008 and helped the team win the Nadeshiko League Cup in 2010. During that tournament, she scored a goal in the final minute to secure a victory and was named the MVP.
Her career later took her to Germany, where she played for 1899 Hoffenheim and FC Bayern Munich. At Hoffenheim, she scored the club's first goal in the top division. While playing for Bayern Munich, she helped the team win the Bundesliga title during the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons. After her time in Germany, she returned to Japan to play for INAC Kobe Leonessa.
International success and honors
Mana represented the Japan women's national football team starting at age 16. She earned more than 85 caps and scored 37 goals for her country. She was a member of the squad that won the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2011, appearing as a substitute during the final match in Germany.
Her international achievements include a silver medal from the 2012 London Olympics and a gold medal from the 2018 Asian Games. She has received many individual honors, such as being named the AFC Women's Asian Cup MVP. In 2011, she became one of the youngest recipients of the People's Honour Award from the Japanese government.
Life after football
Following her retirement in late 2023, Mana has transitioned into a new role in the sports media industry. She currently works as a football presenter and pundit on Japanese television. This allows her to share her professional expertise with viewers in her home country.
Birthday and age
Mana Iwabuchi was born on March 18, 1993, which makes Mana 33 years old today. That birthday falls under the Pisces sign. Mana shares the date with 25 other famous people.
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