ベン・ガンター

1997年10月24日、タイ生まれ。幼少期にオーストラリアへ移住し、5歳からリーグラグビーを始める。14歳の時に15人制ラグビーに転向し、ブリスベンボーイズカレッジ時代に現・埼玉パナソニックワイルドナイツの練習生として来日。高校卒業後にワイルドナイツへ加入した。2021年には、初の「ベスト15」に輝く活躍を見せトップリーグ優勝にも貢献した。同年、日本代表スコッドに初選出。サイズを活かした強力なタックルとピンチを救うスティールで日本代表の中でも抜群の存在感を放っている。座右の銘は「すべての物事には意味がある」。

Born in Thailand on October 24, 1997. He moved to Australia during childhood and started playing rugby league at the age of five. At 14, he switched to 15-a-side rugby and, while attending Brisbane Boys’ College, came to Japan as a trainee with what is now the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights. After graduating from high school, he officially joined the Wild Knights. In 2021, he was named to the Best XV for the first time and helped his team win the Top League title. That same year, he was selected for the Japan national team for the first time. Known for his powerful tackles that capitalize on his size and his clutch steals in critical moments, he stands out as a major force on the team. His motto: “Everything happens for a reason.”