Sarina Koga Biography: Husband, Age, Volleyball, Olympics, Height, Parents, Retirement, Net Worth

Sarina Koga and later known as Sarina Nishida after marriage, is a retired Japanese volleyball player celebrated for her role as captain of the Japan women’s national volleyball team and her tenure with the NEC Red Rockets.

Renowned for her powerful spiking and leadership, she led Japan to a silver medal at the 2024 FIVB Volleyball Nations League and competed in two Olympics (2020 and 2024), retiring after the Paris 2024 Games.

Profile

• Full Name: Sarina Koga
• Stage Name: Sarina Nishida
• Born: 21, May 1996
• Age: 29 years old
• Birthplace: Kanzaki District, Saga, Japan
• Nationality: Japanese
• Occupation: Retired Volleyball Player
• Height: 1.80m
• Parents: Hiromasa Koga, Mrs. Koga
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Yuji Nishida (m. 2022)
• Children: None
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $2 million

Early Life and Education

Sarina Koga was born on May 21, 1996, in Kanzaki District, Saga, Japan, to Hiromasa Koga and Mrs. Koga. Information about her siblings is not publicly available.

She attended Kumamoto Shin-ai Girls’ High School, where she led the team to the 2011 All-Japan Junior High School Championship, earning the Excellent Player Award. Details of her higher education are not documented, but her early focus on volleyball shaped her professional path. Her ethnicity is Japanese, and her religious beliefs are not publicly disclosed.

Career

Sarina Koga began her volleyball career at Kumamoto Shin-ai Girls’ High School, where her standout performance in 2011 earned her the Excellent Player Award at the All-Japan Junior High School Championship.

In 2012, she joined Japan’s National Junior team, leading them to gold at the Asian Youth Girls U17 Championship in Chengdu, China, where she was named MVP and Best Scorer. Her senior national team debut came in 2013 at the Alassio Cup, followed by a bronze medal at the 2013 FIVB Women’s U23 World Championship in Mexico, where she was selected as a Best Outside Hitter for the tournament’s all-star team. In 2015, she joined the NEC Red Rockets, marking the start of her professional club career.

Koga’s professional career flourished with the NEC Red Rockets, where she played from 2015 to 2024, winning four Japan V.League titles (2014/15, 2016/17, 2022/23, 2023/24) and the 2016 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship, earning MVP honors for both.

She captained Japan’s national team starting in 2015, leading them to gold at the 2017 Asian Championship and a historic silver medal at the 2024 Volleyball Nations League in Bangkok, where she was named Best Outside Hitter. Her performances in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and 2019 FIVB Women’s World Cup (fifth place) showcased her as a key scorer, with 94 points in the latter. Despite a minor ankle injury in 2022, she remained a pivotal figure, earning MVP awards in the 2022 and 2023 Japan Emperor’s Cup and Empress’ Cup Championships.

Koga announced her retirement in July 2024, citing the Paris 2024 Olympics as her final tournament. Her last match, a 3-0 victory over Kenya, saw her score a team-high 16 points, earning emotional applause from over 10,000 fans at South Paris Arena 1.

Reflecting on her career, she expressed gratitude for the support of Japanese fans and her love for volleyball. Her retirement at age 28, while still in peak form, sparked discussions about the pressures on female athletes in Japan, with some speculating her decision was influenced by her desire to start a family with her husband, Yuji Nishida. Koga’s legacy as a leader and high-scoring outside hitter continues to inspire Japan’s volleyball community.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @sarina.koga

Personal Life

Sarina Koga married Yuji Nishida, a star opposite hitter for Japan’s men’s national volleyball team, on December 31, 2022, after a two-year courtship initiated by Nishida’s persistent efforts. The couple, who have no children, manage their finances separately and meet biweekly due to their demanding schedules, with Koga affectionately calling Nishida “Yu-kun.”

She has shared lighthearted anecdotes about their relationship, including choosing a gold wedding ring together and her cooking attempts receiving poor reviews from Nishida.

Net Worth

Sarina Koga has an estimated net worth of $2 million as of 2025. Her wealth was primarily earned through her professional volleyball career with the NEC Red Rockets, including salaries from four V.League championships and endorsements.