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Signee Spotlight: Santa Ihara
4/22/2020 10:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
DURHAM, N.C.—Duke men's soccer head coach John Kerr and his staff are thrilled about the incoming class of talented athletes and great young men. The latest GoDuke.com signee spotlight features Santa Ihara, of Tokyo, Japan.
Born in Tokyo, Japan, Ihara most recently was playing with SIMA (Soccer Institute at Montverde Academy) in Montverde, Florida. He was a defender on the SIMA Elite squad this past spring after playing on the SIMA Ajax side in the fall of 2019.
Here is a little more about Santa.
GoDuke.com: Why did you choose Duke?
Santa Ihara: It was the best academic school, great student to faculty ratio and beautiful facilities.
GD: What is a fun fact about you?
SI: I play guitar and my dad is an actor.
GD: What International Club do you follow?
SI: Barcelona
GD: Who is your favorite International player and why?
SI: Iniesta because I like his passing.
GD: What is your first soccer memory?
SI: When I scored my first goal at 10 years old.
GD: Meeting this person would leave you speechless?
SI: Rui Hachimura [power forward for the Washington Wizards, born in Japan]
GD: What have you watched recently on Netflix or streaming?
SI: Terrace House
GD: How are you continuing to work on your game while practicing social distancing?
SI: I joined a local soccer team. [Editor's Note: Please not the restrictions in Tokyo are not as stringent at the current time]
GD: At this moment, what would you choose as your hype or goal song?
SI: Black Bird, The Beatles
GD: Most used app on your phone?
SI: Instagram
GD: Do you TikTok?
SI: No.
GD: If you weren't playing soccer what sport would you play?
SI: Golf
#GoDuke
Born in Tokyo, Japan, Ihara most recently was playing with SIMA (Soccer Institute at Montverde Academy) in Montverde, Florida. He was a defender on the SIMA Elite squad this past spring after playing on the SIMA Ajax side in the fall of 2019.
He also spent a season in 2018-19 with Orlando City Academy, playing in 14 games, starting five and scoring once as the team took third in its division.Congratulations to SIMA student-athlete Santa Ihara for his commitment to NCAA DI Duke University! The Japanese defender will be joining the Blue Devil roster in the fall!#LaFamiliaSIMA pic.twitter.com/wApnwMicDq
— Montverde Soccer (@SIMA_MVAsoccer) February 28, 2020
SIMA student-athletes Soshun, Santa, Haya, and Misei joined MVA from Japan and share their experiences while participating in the Academy as international students!
— Montverde Soccer (@SIMA_MVAsoccer) February 25, 2020
Learn more about their journey here: https://t.co/aDpJrlV0G8 #LaFamiliaSIMA
Here is a little more about Santa.
GoDuke.com: Why did you choose Duke?
Santa Ihara: It was the best academic school, great student to faculty ratio and beautiful facilities.
GD: What is a fun fact about you?
SI: I play guitar and my dad is an actor.
GD: What International Club do you follow?
SI: Barcelona
GD: Who is your favorite International player and why?
SI: Iniesta because I like his passing.
GD: What is your first soccer memory?
SI: When I scored my first goal at 10 years old.
GD: Meeting this person would leave you speechless?
SI: Rui Hachimura [power forward for the Washington Wizards, born in Japan]
GD: What have you watched recently on Netflix or streaming?
SI: Terrace House
GD: How are you continuing to work on your game while practicing social distancing?
SI: I joined a local soccer team. [Editor's Note: Please not the restrictions in Tokyo are not as stringent at the current time]
GD: At this moment, what would you choose as your hype or goal song?
SI: Black Bird, The Beatles
GD: Most used app on your phone?
SI: Instagram
GD: Do you TikTok?
SI: No.
GD: If you weren't playing soccer what sport would you play?
SI: Golf
#GoDuke
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