Miwa Asao (浅尾 美和, Asao Miwa, born 2 February 1986 in Suzuka, Mie) is a female Japanese beach volleyball player. Referred to in media reports as the "pixie of beach volleyball" or simply "pixie of the beach" for her good looks, Asao helped to popularize beach volleyball in Japan. She became a national celebrity from the many articles written on her in Japanese magazines and newspapers, and through her numerous appearances on television.[2][3]

Miwa Asao
Asao competing in Norway in 2008
Personal information
Full nameMiwa Asao
Born (1986-02-02) 2 February 1986 (age 38)
Suzuka, Mie, Japan
Height1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)[1]
Weight54 kg (119 lb)[1]
Beach volleyball information
Current teammate
Teammate
Ayumi Kusano

Education

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Asao attended Mie Prefecture Tatsutsu Commercial High School.

Career

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After graduating from high school, she signed a contract with artist Kawahe Shunichi to develop her career as a beach volleyball player and model.

She started her volleyball career in 2000 and officially became a beach volleyball player in 2004.

Retirement

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On December 10, 2012, Asao announced her retirement.

On April 2, 2013, she married an ordinary person.

On December 16, 2014, a baby boy was born.

On November 27, 2016, a second baby boy was born.

References

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  • Connell, Ryann (May 2, 2008). "Beach volleyball star and Olympic no-show Miwa Asao pays the bills without the skills". Mainichi Shimbun. Archived from the original on May 3, 2008. Retrieved 2 May 2008.
  • Fujii, Toshiya (translator) (September 22, 2007). "Asao may swap beach volleyball for showbiz". Japan Today. Retrieved 18 October 2007. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
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