Martin Iosefo

Martin Iosefo (born January 13, 1990) is an American rugby union player who plays for the United States national rugby sevens team. Iosefo grew up in Wahiawa on the island of Oahu in Hawaii where he learned to play rugby. After finishing Leilehua High School in Wahiawa, he went to the University of Montana to play American football as a walk on.[1] Iosefo started playing rugby competitively while in Missoula, Montana with the University of Montana Jesters.[2] Iosefo played with the Men’s Collegiate All-Americans at 2014 Serevi RugbyTown Sevens.[3] Iosefo played with the Denver Barbarians at the 2015 Club 7s Nationals.[4]

Martin Iosefo

Date of birth	(1990-01-13) 13 January 1990
Place of birth	Wahiawa, Hawaii
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	97 kg (214 lb)
University	University of Montana
Rugby union career
Position(s) Center Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2015 Denver () National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2016–present United States 9 (10) Correct as of 5 April 2020 National sevens team(s) Years Team Comps 2014–present United States 40 Correct as of 10 June 2019

Iosefo has been recognized for his size and athleticism,[5] as well as for his hard hits in defense.[6]

U.S. national rugby sevens team

Iosefo debuted with the U.S. national rugby sevens team at the 2014 Dubai Sevens.[7] Iosefo missed the 2015 Hong Kong Sevens and Tokyo Sevens due to school commitments, but rejoined the team for the 2015 London Sevens.[8]

Iosefo was part of the U.S. team that won bronze at the 2015 Pan Am Games. Iosefo also played for the U.S. at the 2015 NACRA Sevens where the United States beat Canada in the final 21–5 to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Iosefo made the dream team for the 2016 Canada Sevens.[9] At the 2016 London Sevens, Iosefo scored a try 11 seconds into the match against Fiji, one of the fastest tries in the World Series. Iosefo played for the U.S. at the 2016 Summer Olympics, where the team finished in ninth place.

References

1. "ABC All-Star: UM's Olympic Rugby Hopeful-Martin Iosefo", ABC Fox Montana, May 21, 2015.
2. "UM rugby standout headed to Olympic tryout", Montana Kaimin, November 13, 2014.
3. "Iosefo Rejoins Eagles 7s Team", Goff Rugby Report, April 23, 2015.
4. "Semi-Finals Set at Club 7s Nationals", Rugby Today, August 8, 2015.
5. "UM rugby standout headed to Olympic tryout", Montana Kaimin, November 13, 2014.
6. "Iosefo Rejoins Eagles 7s Team", Goff Rugby Report, April 23, 2015.
7. "ABC All-Star: UM's Olympic Rugby Hopeful-Martin Iosefo", ABC Fox Montana, May 21, 2015.
8. "Iosefo Rejoins Eagles 7s Team", Goff Rugby Report, April 23, 2015.
9. "Iosefo Makes Vancouver Dream Team, Hong Kong Draw", This Is American Rugby, March 15, 2016.