Reika Utsugi

{{Infobox sportsperson

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| image = Reika Utsugi in 2024 (3).jpg

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| native_name = 宇津木麗華, Utsugi Reika

| native_name_lang = ja

| birth_name = 任彦麗, Ren Yanli{{cite web|url=http://www.leadoffman.info/softball/index.php?%E3%82%A2%E3%82%B8%E3%82%A2%E5%A5%B3%E5%AD%90%E9%81%B8%E6%89%8B%E6%A8%A9/1987|title=アジア女子選手権|trans-title=Asian Women's Championship|date=7 February 2016|access-date=24 September 2017}}

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| nationality = Japanese

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1963|6|1|df=y}}

| birth_place = Beijing, China

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| country = {{JPN}}

| sport = Softball

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{{nihongo|Reika Utsugi|宇津木麗華|Utsugi Reika|born 1 June 1963}} is a Japanese softball player who played third base. Originally from Beijing, China, she was naturalised as a Japanese citizen in 1995.{{cite news|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2016/11/21/more-sports/japan-softball-manager-utsugi-targets-olympic-gold-2020|title=Japan softball manager Utsugi targets Olympic gold in 2020|newspaper=The Japan Times|date=21 November 2016|access-date=24 September 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://web-jpn.org/trends01/article/021216fea_r.html|title=REIKA UTSUGI: Keeping Her Eye on the Ball|publisher=Trends on Japan|date=16 December 2002|access-date=24 September 2002}} She played in the Japanese teams that won the silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics and the bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics, and served as manager of the team that won the gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics.[https://web.archive.org/web/20200417044157/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ut/reika-utsugi-1.html Reika Utsugi Biography and Olympic Results]

Naturalisation

Utsugi's original name was Ren Yanli and was born in Beijing. Against her father's wishes, she arrived in Japan in 1988 and played for Hitachi Takasaki, which was managed by Taeko Utsugi. She took her manager's name when she naturalised in 1995, becoming Reika Utsugi. Utsugi could not participate in the 1996 Summer Olympics as a Japanese representative, despite being naturalised in 1995. The regulations in the Olympic charter required China to give her permission to play for Japan, as she had changed her nationality within three years of an Olympic event. China refused, realising the competitive threat that Utsugi posed.{{cite news|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2000/09/10/more-sports/utsugi-ready-to-fulfill-softball-dream-with-japan|title=Utsugi ready to fulfill softball dream with Japan|newspaper=The Japan Times|first=Kumi|last=Kinohara|date=10 September 2000|access-date=24 September 2017}} Hence, Utsugi's first Olympic appearance for Japan was in the 2000 Summer Olympics.

Retirement

Since retiring as an athlete she has managed the softball team of Renesas Electronics. She currently manages Bic Camera Takasaki Bee Queen and has managed the Japan women's national softball team since 2011, leading them to two world titles.