The talented player who wowed the “lionesses” during the Tokyo Olympic Games with 21 crucial saves and recently guided Japan to a remarkable win over Denmark in the World Cup will be defending the goal for the Montenegrin powerhouse starting next season.

Japanese handball star Sakura Hauge, also known as Sakura Kametani, is the newest goalkeeper for Buducnost Bemax.

As reported by the Podgorica club, she has signed a contract with the two-time European champions, becoming the seventh new addition for the upcoming season.

“The goalkeeper, born in Norway and playing for the Japanese national team since 2015, joins Podgorica following her stint in Besançon, France,” states Budućnost.

Kametani was born in Bergen, Norway, is currently 37 years old, and began her career with the Norwegian first league club Gnejst.

“She also played for Nordstrand and Tertnes before she joined a well-known team in local handball circles – Vipers. With the Kristiansand club, she secured the Norwegian championship title in 2018 and reached the EHF Cup final that same season. She subsequently played for the Danish team Nikobing and, since 2019, has been a member of French Besançon,” added Budućnost.

While she represented Norway in junior teams, she did not make the senior national squad.

“This led her to join the Japanese national team in 2015, where she has been playing under her mother’s surname—Kametani. She has taken to the court for Japan in 74 matches,” stated Budućnost.

She is the seventh addition for the next season, following Montenegrin national team players Đurđina Jauković, Jelena Despotović, and Nina Bulatović, along with Russian Valerija Kirdyasheva, Swedish Jenny Carlson, and French Aisatu Kujate who have all signed contracts.

Additionally, contracts were renewed for Montenegrin national team members Armel Atingre, Ivona Pavićević, Ivana Godeč, Andrijana Popović, Tanja Ivanović, Anastasija Marsenić, and Nađa Kadović, along with defender Mari Plamenova Tomova.

News