Top 20 Athletics & Sports from Japan on Instagram Influencers by Follower Growth

Last updated: March 27, 2026

Total Athletics & Sports Influencers in Japan

5,851

Expected Reach

110.5M

Total Followers

322.5M

Avg Engagement

7.22%

Audience Analysis

Gender Distribution

Female29%
Male71%

Age Distribution

25-3439.7%
18-2428.2%
35-4416.0%
13-177.2%

Top Countries

Japan36.4%
United States of America8.7%
Germany3.7%
France3.7%
Italy3.5%

Top Languages

ja38.3%
en26.9%
es7.2%

Top Cities

Tokyo9.8%
Hong Kong1.3%
Osaka1.1%
Nagoya0.9%
Kita-ku0.7%

Top 20 Creators

RankInfluencerLocationFollowersEngagementMonthly GrowthScore
1
Matheus Cunha
@cunha
Cunha BJJ Just believe. Paraíba - Brasil 🇧🇷 @manutd 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Tokyo 2020 🥇
Tokyo, Japan
2.9M
Followers
15.62%
Engagement
+5.8%(+159.5K)
8.1
2
Amazing OTO
@amazing_oto_official
No arms, No legs, No problem🎉 I'm OTO!! This is how I roll😎
Japan
398.3K
Followers
N/A
Engagement
+47.4%(+128.1K)
8.6
3
Yoshinobu Yamamoto / 山本由伸
@yoshinobu__yamamoto
@dodgers #18
Japan
2.3M
Followers
23.15%
Engagement
+5.6%(+120.3K)
9.7
4
Kota
@kota_miura_official
🇯🇵 Partnership Inquiries ↓
Japan
2.8M
Followers
10.97%
Engagement
+2.0%(+57.2K)
8.5
5
鍵山優真 / Yuma Kagiyama
@yuma_kagiyama15
Figure skater🇯🇵
Tokyo, Japan
221.8K
Followers
30.91%
Engagement
+33.2%(+55.3K)
8.2
6
前里明生 𝐀𝐎 𝐌𝐀𝐄𝐙𝐀𝐓𝐎 🇯🇵
@ao_fitness24
【沖縄/AOトレ】 モデル・トレーナー・カフェ・事業してます☺️ 沖縄からマイペースに発信🌺🏝️ カフェ→@ones_coffee2025 プロテインはここから⇩@okista_loveokinawa
Japan
348.7K
Followers
0.55%
Engagement
+13.2%(+40.6K)
6.7
7
IYO SKY
@iyo_sky
IYO SKY WWE Superstar Pro wrestler Pro traveler Japanese🇯🇵 紫雷イオ→Io Shirai→IYO SKY #damagectrl #wweraw
Japan
1.8M
Followers
12.02%
Engagement
+2.2%(+38.5K)
9.3
8
尾﨑 野乃香 OZAKI Nonoka
@nonoka_ozaki
🇯🇵❤️ Paris Olympics bronze medalist ×2 Senior World Champion
Japan
255.4K
Followers
19.32%
Engagement
+15.7%(+34.7K)
9.4
9
KASSO
@kasso_0318
KASSO FEST SKATE & SOUND MARCH 21-22 🇺🇸 LONG BEACH, CA 15+ SKATERS vs. 1 MASSIVE COURSE 🎟TICKETS↓ straight from Japan♨️→to California🌆
Japan
719.0K
Followers
0.03%
Engagement
+4.9%(+33.3K)
5.7
10
井上尚弥 𝐍𝐚𝐨𝐲𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐞
@naoyainoue_410
Japan
1.7M
Followers
7.07%
Engagement
+1.4%(+23.9K)
7.5
11
Diogo Brajao Soares
@diogo_s0ares
Patrocínio | Publi Gloria.andrade@4bsports.com.br Tokyo 2020 / Paris 2024 •2x Finalista Olímpico •Olimpíada/Juventude🥈🥉 3°Sgt @cdafab ✈️
Tokyo, Japan
207.4K
Followers
6.70%
Engagement
+13.0%(+23.8K)
8.4
12
Takuya Kimura
@takuya.kimura_tak
木村拓哉
Tokyo, Japan
4.4M
Followers
2.15%
Engagement
+0.5%(+21.5K)
7.9
13
Tobi
@tobines
🇬🇧 manchester // tokyo mgmt@collectivedtc.com
Tokyo, Japan
327.6K
Followers
1.17%
Engagement
+7.0%(+21.3K)
7.6
14
Hironori Nakajima
@hironori_nakajima
メガネが落ちないトレーナー (CSCS,IASTM,KAATSU, Anti-Aging) @cuelpo_gym 代表 瞬発力を高めたい方(現在満席)⬇️
Japan
2.2M
Followers
N/A
Engagement
+0.9%(+20.8K)
5.2
15
Maurizio Merluzzo
@themerluzz
Doppiatore, attore, conduttore. Collaborazioni: management@thebestblend.it Codice Sconto @prozisitalia MERLUZZ10
Japan
887.0K
Followers
0.72%
Engagement
+2.4%(+20.7K)
8.0
16
TAICHI / TinyTwiggz / 筋達磨
@taichi_tinytwiggz
Team 🐉FULLCAST RAISERZ🐉 @fullcastraiserz @dleague_official 🇯🇵Twiggz Fam🇯🇵 @twiggzfam_official お仕事依頼はプロフィールのメールアドレスよりお問い合わせください!📩
Japan
396.0K
Followers
0.72%
Engagement
+5.5%(+20.6K)
6.6
17
Gomis
@bafetimbigomis
Former French International Player 🇫🇷 | 🇬🇧 | 🇹🇷 | 🇸🇦 | 🇯🇵 🎓 FIFA & UEFA Academy ⚽ Sporting Strategy • Club Vision 🏛️ Executive Support
Japan
2.3M
Followers
2.75%
Engagement
+0.9%(+20.5K)
5.5
18
堀江聖夏 | 𝙼𝙸𝙽𝙰 𝙷𝙾𝚁𝙸𝙴
@mina_horie
日本一、強いアナウンサー🇯🇵押忍。 Love & power from Japan . Limits are meant to be broken
Japan
628.7K
Followers
2.20%
Engagement
+3.3%(+20.4K)
7.8
19
新庄 剛志
@shinjo.freedom
Tokyo, Japan
1.3M
Followers
7.60%
Engagement
+1.4%(+17.6K)
8.6
20
黒川 想矢/kurokawa soya
@soyakurokawa_official
This is my only socials account.
Japan
297.4K
Followers
16.55%
Engagement
+6.3%(+17.5K)
8.8

About This Instagram Influencer Ranking

Discover the most influential creators in Japan with our comprehensive ranking of the top 20 influencers on Instagram who post Athletics & Sports content. This data‑driven analysis identifies the content creators who are shaping conversations, driving trends, and commanding the highest engagement rates in 2026.

Key Insights & Metrics

  • Combined Reach: 110.5M potential impressions across all ranked influencers
  • Total Audience: 322.5M followers collectively following these creators
  • Average Engagement Rate: 7.22% - significantly above industry average
  • Market Coverage: 5,851 total influencers analyzed in this category

Audience Demographics & Reach

The influencers in this ranking reach a diverse, global audience with primary concentrations in:

  • Top Markets: Japan, United States of America, Germany
  • Gender Distribution: 29% Female, 71% Male
  • Primary Age Group: 25-34 years (39.7% of audience)
  • Languages: Japanese, English, Spanish

Why This Ranking Matters

For brands and marketers, this ranking provides essential intelligence for:

  • Identifying high-performing influencers for partnership opportunities
  • Understanding audience demographics for targeted campaigns
  • Benchmarking engagement rates and growth metrics
  • Discovering emerging talent with strong growth trajectories
  • Analyzing competitive landscape in Athletics & Sports niche

For content creators, these insights help with:

  • Understanding industry benchmarks and performance standards
  • Identifying successful content strategies from top performers
  • Network building and collaboration opportunities
  • Setting realistic growth targets based on peer performance

Methodology & Data Freshness

Our rankings are generated using advanced algorithms that analyze multiple performance indicators:

  • Profile Score: Proprietary metric combining reach, engagement, and growth
  • Engagement Rate: Average interaction rate across recent content
  • Growth Velocity: Month-over-month follower growth and momentum
  • Content Consistency: Posting frequency and audience retention
  • Audience Quality: Authenticity scores and demographic relevance

Data is refreshed weekly to ensure you're always working with the most current information. Last update includes performance data through March 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the fastest‑growing Athletics & Sports creator in Japan on Instagram?

Matheus Cunha (@cunha) is, as of March 2026, the fastest‑growing Athletics & Sports creator in Japan on Instagram, with +5.8% monthly growth (+159.5K followers).

How many followers did Matheus Cunha (@cunha) gain last month?

Matheus Cunha (@cunha) gained about 159.5K followers last month (+5.8%).

Who grew more: Matheus Cunha (@cunha) or Amazing OTO (@amazing_oto_official)?

Matheus Cunha (@cunha) grew more than Amazing OTO (@amazing_oto_official) (159.5K vs 128.1K).

How is Amazing OTO (@amazing_oto_official) performing right now?

Amazing OTO (@amazing_oto_official) is growing at +47.4% (+128.1K) per month, with a Profile Score of 8.6 and average engagement of N/A.

How is Yoshinobu Yamamoto / 山本由伸 (@yoshinobu__yamamoto) performing right now?

Yoshinobu Yamamoto / 山本由伸 (@yoshinobu__yamamoto) is growing at +5.6% (+120.3K) per month, with a Profile Score of 9.7 and average engagement of 23.15%.

How is Kota (@kota_miura_official) performing right now?

Kota (@kota_miura_official) is growing at +2.0% (+57.2K) per month, with a Profile Score of 8.5 and average engagement of 10.97%.

How is 鍵山優真 / Yuma Kagiyama (@yuma_kagiyama15) performing right now?

鍵山優真 / Yuma Kagiyama (@yuma_kagiyama15) is growing at +33.2% (+55.3K) per month, with a Profile Score of 8.2 and average engagement of 30.91%.

Who had the higher percentage growth: Amazing OTO (@amazing_oto_official) or Yoshinobu Yamamoto / 山本由伸 (@yoshinobu__yamamoto)?

Amazing OTO (@amazing_oto_official) leads (47.4% vs Yoshinobu Yamamoto / 山本由伸 (@yoshinobu__yamamoto) 5.6%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Matheus Cunha (@cunha)?

Matheus Cunha (@cunha) gained about 159.5K followers last month (+5.8%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Amazing OTO (@amazing_oto_official)?

Amazing OTO (@amazing_oto_official) gained about 128.1K followers last month (+47.4%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Yoshinobu Yamamoto / 山本由伸 (@yoshinobu__yamamoto)?

Yoshinobu Yamamoto / 山本由伸 (@yoshinobu__yamamoto) gained about 120.3K followers last month (+5.6%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Kota (@kota_miura_official)?

Kota (@kota_miura_official) gained about 57.2K followers last month (+2.0%).

What is the absolute follower gain of 鍵山優真 / Yuma Kagiyama (@yuma_kagiyama15)?

鍵山優真 / Yuma Kagiyama (@yuma_kagiyama15) gained about 55.3K followers last month (+33.2%).

Is Matheus Cunha (@cunha) still a relevant creator?

Yes — Matheus Cunha (@cunha) has a Profile Score of 8.1, average engagement of 15.62%, and +5.8% (+159.5K) monthly follower growth, indicating high relevance.

What is a good engagement rate for Athletics & Sports in Japan?

The average engagement rate for this category is 7.22%. Generally, rates above 8.7% are considered excellent, while rates above 5.8% are good. Engagement rates vary by platform, niche, and follower count - micro-influencers often have higher rates than mega-influencers.

How is the Profile Score calculated?

The Profile Score (0-10 scale) is a composite metric that weighs several factors: 40% engagement quality, 25% audience reach, 20% growth momentum, 10% content consistency, and 5% audience authenticity. A score above 7.0 indicates a high-performing influencer, while scores above 8.5 represent elite-tier creators.

Can I use this data for influencer marketing campaigns?

Yes! This ranking is designed to help brands, agencies, and marketers identify potential partnership opportunities. The data provides a starting point for campaign planning, competitor analysis, and market research. For detailed campaign analytics and contact information, consider upgrading to our professional tools.

What does monthly growth percentage mean?

Monthly growth shows the percentage change in followers over the past 30 days. Positive growth (green) indicates gaining followers, while negative growth (red) means losing followers. The number in parentheses shows the absolute follower change. High growth rates often indicate viral content or successful campaigns.

Why should I track influencers in Japan?

Location-specific influencer tracking is crucial for targeted marketing campaigns. Local influencers often have higher engagement rates within their geographic area, understand cultural nuances, and can drive better ROI for region-specific products or services. They're particularly valuable for retail, hospitality, and location-based businesses.

How can I improve my ranking as an influencer?

Focus on these key areas: (1) Increase engagement by creating content that encourages comments and shares, (2) Post consistently to maintain audience interest, (3) Use relevant hashtags to expand reach, (4) Collaborate with other creators in your niche, (5) Respond to comments to build community, and (6) Analyze your best-performing content and create similar pieces.

Note: This ranking represents a snapshot of current instagram influence based on publicly available data. Rankings can fluctuate based on content performance, platform algorithm changes, and audience behavior. Use this data as one of several factors in your decision-making process.