Alma mater to get statue of Japanese rugby star Leitch

TOKYO (The Japan News/ANN) - Japan national rugby team's captain Michael Leitch's statue will be donated to his alma mater, Sapporo Yamanote High School in Sapporo.

A statue of Japan national rugby team captain Michael Leitch in the Marunouchi business district in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, will be donated to his alma mater, Sapporo Yamanote High School in Sapporo.

 To raise people’s excitement for this year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan, Mitsubishi Estate Co. installed the statue ahead of the tournament. Made of reinforced plastic resembling bronze, the nearly life-size statue shows the Brave Blossoms captain running forward with a rugby ball. 

 A bench beside the statue allows people to sit and take photos.

 The statue will be displayed until Dec. 27.

 On Wednesday, Leitch sat on the bench and said with a shy smile: “The statue gets full marks. I like the image with the shorts. I’m happy that it’ll be donated to my alma mater.”

 Under Leitch’s leadership, Japan advanced to the quarterfinals at the Rugby World Cup for the first time, an achievement that won the hearts of fans both at home and abroad.

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