Latest news with #SANKEI
Japan Forward
03-08-2025
- Sport
- Japan Forward
In Golf, Consistency is the Ever-Present Target
Tatsunori Shogenji won two of the first nine Japan Golf Tour tournaments he entered in 2025. He's the tour's scoring average leader (69.611 strokes per round). Tatsunori Shogenji is the Japan Golf Tour's scoring average leader. (©SANKEI) In the 2025 Japan Golf Tour season, an under-70 average per round is a good indication of a top golfer's all-around consistency. After all, entering August, only three golfers on the tour were averaging under 70 strokes per round, according to the tour's official website. Tatsunori Shogenji is No 1 with a 69.611 scoring average. Ren Yonezawa sits in second place (69.637), while Kota Kaneko is third (69.838). Kota Kaneko in a May 2025 file photo. (KYODO) Among the three golfers, Kaneko is the youngest at 22 years old. Yonezawa is 26 and Shogenji is 27. In the final tournament of June, Shogenji collected his second Japan Golf Tour title, winning the Japan Players Championship by one stroke over Ryuichi Oiwa. Shogenji carded a 6-under 65 in the final round at Nishi Nasuno Country Club in Tochigi Prefecture to complete the four-round event with a 23-under 261. Tatsunori Shogenji holds the Japan Players Championship winner's trophy on June 29. (©SANKEI) The Yamaguchi Prefecture native also triumphed at the season-opening Token Homemate Cup in Nagoya in mid-April. "I was declared the winner of the Token Homemate Cup after 54 holes because the final round was abandoned due to inclement weather," Shogenji told reporters on June 29. "Fighting through all four rounds this week makes this win even more special. Surviving the back-nine pressure today proved I can win under any conditions." Riki Kawamoto hits his tee shot on the 12th hole during the third round of the Richard Mille Charity Tournament on August 2 at Noto Country Club in Anamizu, Ishikawa Prefecture. (KYODO) Fast forward to the Richard Mille Charity Tournament, and of the aforementioned scoring average leaders, Yonezawa is in the best position to contend for the title on Sunday, August 3. After the third round, he's in sixth place at 15-under 201 (66-64-71) at Noto Country Club in Anamizu, Ishikawa Prefecture. Meanwhile, Shogenji and Kaneko were tied for 25th place at 11-under 205 heading into the final round. Shogenji shot a 4-under 68 in the opening round, followed by another 68 and then a 69 over the next two days. Kaneko opened the tourney with a 66, then shot a 69 and a 70. Ryunosuke Furukawa hits an approach shot during the third round of the Richard Mille Charity Tournament. (KYODO) Riki Kawamoto held the slimmest of leads heading into the final round. After successive rounds of 63, 68 and 68, Kawamoto owned a total score of 19-under 197, a one-stroke advantage over Ryunosuke Furukawa. Kawamoto said he expected stiff competition on Sunday at Noto Country Club. "Everyone in the hunt is playing well," Kawamoto said, according to the Japan Golf Tour website. "They have been hitting solid shots and making putts. I've been doing likewise. Otherwise, I wouldn't be in this position, too. But to pull ahead, it'll really take something special, like maybe draining one or two long putts. The player who pulls off that one great shot will probably win." A commemorative photo on July 30 before the start of the Richard Mille Charity Tournament. (©SANKEI) With a full field of 144 players, the Richard Mille Charity Tournament is staging its debut on the Japan Golf Tour. Proceeds from the tournament are earmarked for Noto Peninsula earthquake recovery efforts and continued support for junior golfers' development in Japan, according to a news release. Ryo Ishikawa (KYODO) Veteran golfer Ryo Ishikawa spoke about his enthusiasm for the new tournament before it started on Thursday, July 31. "Many players have a strong personal commitment to support in various ways," Ishikawa commented. "But hosting an actual tour event takes an incredible amount of effort. This tournament will give players the opportunity to share the seriousness and passion of the sport directly with the audience." From left, Japan's Seiya Asami, Koki Kano, Masaru Yamada and Akira Komata display their gold medals after their victory in the men's epee team final at the 2025 Fencing World Championships on July 30 in Tbilisi, Georgia. (KYODO) In the men's team epee event, Japan captured the gold medal on the final day of the 2025 Fencing World Championships. Japan defeated Kazakhstan 42-41 in the semifinals and then topped Hungary 45-35 in the final on Wednesday, July 30 in Tbilisi, Georgia. "It is [the] most wonderful day in my fencing life," Japan fencer Seiya Asami said, according to the International Fencing Federation website. He then said, "It was a very tough day with tough matches, but we trust our teammates and we trust our coach, and we trust Japan to win. Kazakhstan was the most difficult, we were behind and Koki Kano got the points to help us win." Kano, who earlier in the week won the title in the epee fencing individual competition, Asami, Akira Komata and Masaru Yamada represented Japan in the final. Japan won the team title at the world championships for the first time, achieving the feat a year after claiming the silver at the Paris Games. (Hungary held off Japan 26-25 in the Olympic final in 2024.) SPORTS SHORTS | Fencer Koki Kano Claims Gold at 2025 World Championships Ippei Watanabe competes in the men's 200-meter breaststroke final at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships on August 1 in Singapore. (KYODO) Ippei Watanabe collected his first World Aquatics Championships medal since 2019 on Friday, August 1 in Singapore. The 28-year-old Oita Prefecture native finished as the runner-up in the men's 200-meter breaststroke final in 2 minutes, 7.70 seconds. China's Haiyang Qin won the race in 2:07.41 and Caspar Corbeau of the Netherlands claimed the bronze medal (2:07.73). Watanabe was the third-place finisher at the world championships in 2017 and '19 in Budapest and Gwangju, South Korea, respectively. In Friday's final, Watanabe swam in Lane 4 and Qin was on the outside in the eighth lane. "It's my first medal in six years," Watanabe said after the race. "I thought I would be happier, but all I feel is frustration. Honestly, I could have won. It was a race I had to win. I knew I wouldn't be able to see him (Qin) at all, even if he went out fast in the first half. [So,] I was focused on beating the strong swimmers on either side of me." Silver medalist Ippei Watanabe (KYODO) In January 2017, Watanabe became the first swimmer to break the 2:07 barrier in the 200-meter breaststroke, winning the event at the Kosuke Kitajima Cup in Tokyo in 2:06.67. Qin is the current world record holder (2:05.48). He swam this blistering time at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka. Japan's Yuki Ishikawa spikes the ball as a trio of Poland players team up for a block attempt in the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League quarterfinals on July 31 in Ningbo, China. (Courtesy of VOLLEYBALL WORD/via KYODO) Poland eliminated Japan in the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League quarterfinals, winning 25-23, 26-24, 25-12 on Thursday, July 31 in Ningbo, China. For Japan, Kento Miyaura had a match-high 17 points, including 15 kills. Captain Yuki Ishikawa had 11 points. Poland's Kewin Sasak led his team with 15 points, while Tomasz Fornal contributed 11 points, including a match-best four blocks. Japan struggled to contain world No 1 Poland's potent effort at the net. The Poles had 14 blocks, and Japan was held to three. Due to its struggles at the net, Japan won't replicate its tournament achievement from 2024, when it was the runner-up at the Men's Volleyball Nations League. "Today we could not get a good result, so we have to prepare for getting good results at the world championship," Miyaura told Volleyball World on Thursday. Up next for Miyaura, Ishikawa and their teammates: the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship (September 12-28), a 32-nation competition in the Philippines. Suntory Sunbirds Beat JTEKT Stings in the Men's Finals Tokyo Yakult Swallows slugger Munetaka Murakami hits a bases-empty home run to left field in the second inning against the Yokohama DeNA BayStars on July 29 at Yokohama Stadium. (©SANKEI) Munetaka Murakami, the 2022 Central League Triple Crown winner, hit his first home run of the season on Tuesday, July 29. The Tokyo Yakult Swallows slugger smacked a solo homer to left off Yokohama DeNA BayStars starter Katsuki Azuma. Yakult recorded its seventh consecutive victory, topping DeNA 5-1. A day later, the Swallows extended their winning streak to a season-best eight games, beating the BayStars 2-1. The streak ended with a 14-1 loss to the BayStars on Thursday. Murakami was sidelined for about 3½ months with an upper-body injury Batting cleanup and starting at third base, He appeared in his fifth game of the season on Friday, going 10-for-5 with three strikeouts in a 3-2 10-inning loss to the Central League-leading Hanshin Tigers at Jingu Stadium. Through games of August 2, Hanshin sat atop the CL standings with a 59-36-2 record. Yakult (32-53-5) was in last place. San Diego Padres starter Yu Darvish pitches against the New York Mets on July 30 at Petco Park in San Diego. (David Frerker/IMAGN IMAGES/via REUTERS) San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish rebounded from his worst start of the MLB season with his best pitching performance of 2025 on Wednesday, July 30. The 38-year-old held the visiting New York Mets to two hits over seven scoreless innings, striking out seven in the Padres' 5-0 win. In his previous start, Darvish (1-3) was tagged for eight runs on eight hits against the St Louis Cardinals on July 24. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza was impressed with Darvish's performance against his team. "When he's throwing all of his pitches for strikes, he could be tough," Mendoza said, according to "It looked like we were guessing once he started throwing everything. … He kept us off-balance, and everything was working for him." With a dominant performance against the Mets, Darvish earned the 204th combined win of his NPB and MLB career. The victory moved him past Hiroki Kuroda as the sole leader of the most combined wins in the two leagues. And Darvish now has 111 wins in his 13 MLB seasons. A sign commemorating Yu Darvish's 204th career victory at Petco Park. (David Frerker/IMAGN IMAGES/via REUTERS) "It means a lot," Darvish said of collecting his 204th win, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune . "I'm very happy. We're talking about legends like Hideo Nomo, Hiroki Kuroda. And just to be able to get closer to these legends, it means a lot and I'm very happy about that." Kuroda won 79 games in seven MLB seasons (2008-14) and an additional 124 in NPB (1997-07, 2015-16). Nomo is the only other pitcher to win 200 or more combined games in MLB and NPB, collecting 201 victories in his trailblazing career. Liverpool's Harvey Elliott takes a bicycle kick against Yokohama F Marinos in an international club friendly on July 30 at Nissan Stadium. (Issei Kato/REUTERS) Reigning English Premier League champion Liverpool wrapped up its preseason tour of Asia by beating the Yokohama F Marinos 3-1 on Wednesday, July 30. An announced crowd of 67,032 watched a scoreless first half at Nissan Stadium before the goals came one after another after halftime. Liverpool star Mohamed Salah in action in the first half against Marinos. (©SANKEI) Asahi Uenaka gave Marinos a 1-0 lead in the 55th minute. Liverpool's Florian Wirtz made it 1-1 in the 62nd minute, and teammates Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha scored in the 68th and 87th, respectively. The final goal was one to remember, with 16-year-old Ngumoha showcasing his talent. As The London Evening Standard reported on its live game blog: "The teenager has been excellent since his introduction [in the 73rd minute] and he picks out the bottom corner with ease after a rapid break." Ngumoha has lofty aspirations with Liverpool, but he recognizes it will likely take time for him to be a regular fixture in the lineup. "I'm not trying to rush because I'm still only young," he said after the match, according to Liverpool's official website. "But at the same time, I just want to show the manager what I can do and not get too complacent. I just want to do bigger and better things for me and the club." Liverpool's Wataru Endo controls the ball in the second half. (©SANKEI) Midfielder Wataru Endo entered the match as a Liverpool substitute in the 60th minute. Endo, who joined Liverpool in 2023, enjoyed the lively atmosphere at Nissan Stadium, and was moved by fans paying tribute to Liverpool's Diogo Jota, who was killed in an automobile accident in Spain on July 3. "Coming back to the city where I grew up as a Liverpool player was a special, wonderful moment," Endo was quoted as saying by Kyodo News. "I know there are lots of Liverpool fans and I'm grateful as a Japanese about their actions toward the team [about Jota]." Liverpool fans hold up a sign in memory of Diogo Jota and display support for the Premier League club before the match. (Issei Kato/REUTERS) It was Liverpool's first match in Japan since the 2005 FIFA Club World Cup. Naomi Osaka hits a return to Jelena Ostapenko in a National Bank Open women's singles third-round match on August 1 in Montreal. (David Kirouac/IMAGN IMAGES/via REUTERS) After switching coaches earlier in the week, Naomi Osaka posted three consecutive women's singles victories at the National Bank Open to reach the round of 16. The 49th-ranked Osaka defeated Jelena Ostapenko, the tourney's No 22 seed, 6-2, 6-4 in the third round in Montreal on Friday, August 1. "I went in there knowing she's a great player and if I give her a chance she's going to hit a winner on me, so I just tried to keep my pace and stay as solid as I could," Osaka was quoted as saying by BBC Sport. On Sunday, Osaka's fourth-round opponent is Latvian Anastasija Sevastova, who is ranked 386th. Tomasz Wiktorowski is Osaka's new coach. He's working on a trial basis. In other National Bank Open news, 110th-ranked Aoi Ito lost in the third round to Spain's Jessica Bouzas, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, on Friday. Former Yamagata Wyverns forward Jawad Williams (left) in an April 2022 file photo. ( Jawad Williams retired as a player in 2022 and has spent the past few years getting established as a basketball coach. The former NBA and standout, who also experienced success in European pro leagues, finalized a deal to serve as an assistant coach for his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers, it was announced earlier this summer. In his most recent job, the University of North Carolina alum served as an assistant coach/director of player development for the Sacramento Kings. Williams, 42, said he's excited about the next chapter of his coaching career. "I grew up on the East Side from St Clair, from St Clair to North Carolina, to the NBA, to all around the world, and then back here again. It's been unbelievable," the former Alvark Tokyo star said in an interview with News 5 Cleveland, an ABC TV affiliate, in July. "To see how far I've come — and I don't take many moments to actually look back — but actually signing here as a coach, that was the one time I did look back and remember how far I've come. It's been a blessing, and I couldn't ask for a better story right now." ―Liverpool manager Arne Slot , on Wataru Endo's impact in the team's 2024 Premier League title-winning campaign and fans' appreciation of him at Nissan Stadium on July 30. Author: Ed Odeven Find Ed on JAPAN Forward' s dedicated website, SportsLook . Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven .
Japan Forward
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Japan Forward
Boxing: Kyosuke Takami Attains WBA Light Flyweight Crown
On an action-packed night of boxing, 23-year-old Takami captured the WBA light flyweight title with a 10th-round TKO of Erick Rosa at Yokohama Buntai. Kyosuke Takami (right) punches WBA light flyweight champion Erick Rosa in the fifth round of their title fight on July 30, 2025, at Yokohama Buntai. (©SANKEI) World titles were up for grabs in three boxing weight classes on Wednesday night, July 30 in Yokohama. Veteran pugilist Kenshiro Teraji headlined the fight card as the WBA and WBC flyweight champion, with Kyosuke Takami (light flyweight) and Daigo Higa (bantamweight) participating in earlier bouts as title challengers. Among the three Japanese boxers, only Takami emerged victorious at Yokohama Buntai on this night. The 23-year-old Tokyo native, appearing in his 10th professional fight, earned a 10th-round technical knockout of Dominican WBA light flyweight champion Erick Rosa. Kyosuke Takami reacts after winning his first world title. (©SANKEI) Kyosuke Takami in action against Erick Rosa in the second round. (©SANKEI) Takami (10-0, eight knockouts) delivered the KO blow with a potent right hook as part of a flurry of punches that pummeled Rosa in the closing seconds of the 10th round. The fight was stopped at the 2:48 mark. "I'm glad I was able to get the knockout. It was a proud moment," Takami said, according to Kyodo News. He entered the fight as the WBA's top-ranked light flyweight challenger. The 25-year-old Rosa slipped to 8-1 (two KOs). Kenshiro Teraji (right) fights Ricardo Sandoval in the fifth round of the main bout on July 30 at Yokohama Buntai. Teraji lost his WBA and WBC flyweight titles. (©SANKEI) In the main event, Ricardo Sandoval outpointed Teraji on two of the three judges' scorecards ― 117-110 and 115-112, while one judge, Pawel Kardyni, had Teraji winning 114-113. As a result, the American challenger wrested the WBA and WBC flyweight championship belts from Teraji. Sandoval (27-2, 18 KOs) overcame a fifth-round knockdown to conquer Teraji. "It feels great. All the hard work paid off," the 26-year-old Sandoval was quoted as saying by the website Boxing Scene after beating the Kyoto Prefecture native. "I [have] never stopped working since I was 10 years old. Now we're here, and we're [a two-belt] champion." Teraji (25-2, 16 KOs) entered the night with victories in seven consecutive fights. After his first loss since September 2021, Teraji lamented the fact that he didn't end the fight on a winning note with his fists. "He was strong, and I couldn't finish him off," Teraji said, according to The Yomiuri Shimbun . The Ring magazine's online report of the Teraji-Sandoval showdown noted that Sandoval's determination was strengthened after the aforementioned knockdown. Sandoval was described as "a younger man whose confidence only increased after being floored." It was a difficult matchup for Teraji, facing a fighter seven years younger than him with a 6-cm reach advantage. "I was torn between attacking or using my feet due to the challenger's tenacity," Teraji acknowledged after the match, Sports Hochi reported. Daigo Higa punches WBA bantamweight champion Antonio Vargas in the second round of their title fight on July 30 in Yokohama. (©SANKEI) Also Wednesday night, American Antonio Vargas retained his WBA bantamweight title after his fight with Higa ended in a draw. The 28-year-old Vargas improved to 19-1-1 (11 KOs). Higa fell to 21-3-3 (19 KOs). After the fight, Higa, 29, said he's retiring from boxing. He also expressed appreciation for his longtime trainer, Joji Nogi, and boxing supporters throughout Japan, including in his native Okinawa Prefecture. "I am grateful to Mr Nogi, the team, the fans, and everyone in Okinawa," Higa said, according to Chunichi Sports . He added, "I never expected to receive so much support. Thanks to everyone, I have had an enjoyable boxing career." A former WBC flyweight champion, Higa concluded his career with three straight title bouts in the bantamweight division. In September 2024, WBO titleholder Yoshiki Takei beat Higa in a unanimous decision at Tokyo's Ariake Arena. Then-WBA bantamweight champ Seiya Tsutsumi earned a draw against Higa in February 2025. Therefore, he walked out of the ring at Ariake Arena with his title. Earlier in his career, Higa matched a Japanese pro boxing record with 15 consecutive knockout victories. Author: Ed Odeven Find Ed on JAPAN Forward' s dedicated website, SportsLook . Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven .
Japan Forward
27-07-2025
- Sport
- Japan Forward
Kotoshoho Wins Nagoya Basho to Claim His 1st Emperor's Cup
In the first grand sumo tournament held at IG Arena, 15th-ranked maegashira Kotoshoho secured the Nagoya Basho title with a 13-2 record. Kotoshoho holds the Emperor's Cup after winning the Nagoya Basho on July 27, 2025, at IG Arena. (©SANKEI) Heading into the final day of the Nagoya Basho, 15th-ranked maegashira Kotoshoho held a one-win advantage over Aonishiki and Kusano. In other words, the Chiba Prefecture native would clinch the title with one more victory. Mission accomplished. The 25-year-old Kotoshoho captured his first Emperor's Cup by beating Ukrainian Aonishiki, a top maegashira, on Sunday, July 27 at IG Arena. Kotoshoho, who made his professional sumo debut in November 2017, finished the tournament with a 13-2 record. He had 10 consecutive victories to close out the first-ever tournament at brand-new IG Arena, which replaced Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium after 60 years as the venue for the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament. His most notable win in Nagoya was a Day 13 upset of yokozuna Onosato. Kotoshoho, a 15th-ranked maegashira, defeats top maegashira Aonishiki in a Nagoya Basho bout on Day 15. (KYODO) Kotoshoho became the first maegashira to win a grand sumo tournament since Takerufuji lifted the Emperor's Cup in March 2024. Prior to the July meet, Kotoshoho's best overall performance in 2025 came at the Spring Basho in March, when he went 8-7. In addition, he was the runner-up at the 2023 New Year Basho. Kotoshoho completed his successful tournament in Nagoya with a forceful thrust-down of Aonishiki. There were four more bouts after Kotoshoho vs Aonishiki to finish the day's wrestling schedule. After that, Kotoshoho was interviewed on NHK, Japan's public broadcaster. "I feel like my emotions haven't caught up yet, but I'm happy," Kotoshoho said during the interview. Kotoshoho is interviewed after winning the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament. (©SANKEI) Kotoshoho competed with keen concentration against rising 21-year-old star Aonishiki, who fled his homeland after Russia's invasion in 2022, to end the tourney on a high note. "Once we clashed at the start, my body moved instinctively," Kotoshoho told NHK. "My body moved well." Looking back at the tournament and his path to victory, which came into focus on Friday, July 25, he said, "Once I stepped onto the ring, I focused on clashing strongly at the start. I think the results came from my mindset of trying to improve my condition for the next day." Kotoshoho added that he was pleased with his effort at the Nagoya Basho and grateful for the encouragement from his supporters. "I always feel supported by those who cheer me on and those around me," he said in his victory interview, "and I wanted to give back to them in some way. I'm glad I was able to achieve results." After winning his first title in sumo's top division, Kotoshoho aspires to climb in the rankings. "I want to work hard to improve my strength and become a sumo wrestler who can be supported by many people," he told NHK. "[And] I aim to reach the top three ranks and beyond." Yokozuna Onosato (right) and ozeki Kotozakura square off on Day 15. (KYODO) A quintet of runners-up ― Onosato, No 4 maegashira Tamawashi, No 14 Kusano, Aonishiki and 10th-ranked Atamifuji ― wrapped up the meet with 11-4 records. Komusubi Takayasu (left) grapples with 14th-ranked maegashira Kusano on Day 15. (KYODO) Sixteenth-ranked maegashira Mitakeumi, 14th-ranked Fujinokawa, komusubi Takayasu and sekiwake Wakatakakage all went 10-5. Top maegashira Wakamotoharu had a disappointing Nagoya Basho, posting a 6-9 record. Mongolian Hoshoryu, the other yokozuna, pulled out of the tourney on Day 5 (July 17) after a 1-4 start and three losses in a row. He's been bothered by a toe injury. Nagoya Basho champion Kotoshoho is surrounded by supporters after winning the Emperor's Cup. (KYODO) Kotoshoho, makuuchi division debutant Kusano and Fujinokawa were awarded the Fighting Spirit Prize, while the Technique Prize was issued to Kusano and Aonishiki. Japan Sumo Association chairman Hakkaku said Kotoshoho's performance at the Nagoya Basho, including during his title-clinching win, was impressive. "He did a great job," Hakkaku told NHK. "I think the bitter experience of competing for the championship two years ago paid off. Today, he thought carefully about his sumo and applied pressure by entering from below and moving into the center, taking a step forward. I think that step was effective." Also Sunday, Tamawashi received the Outstanding Performance Award. The veteran grappler, who is 40 years and 8 months old, shows no signs of slowing down. Author: Ed Odeven Find Ed on JAPAN Forward' s dedicated website, SportsLook . Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven .
Japan Forward
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Japan Forward
Volleyball: Japan Men Clinch a Spot in the Nations League Finals
Reporting on the FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League and the FIBA Women's Asia Cup final plus updates on international badminton and swimming competitions. Japan captain Yuki Ishikawa spikes the ball in the first set against the United States in a 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League match on July 20 at Chiba Port Arena. (©SANKEI) Japan closed out the preliminary phase of the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League in fourth place among 18 teams. And with its 25-21, 25-19, 25-23 victory over the United States on Sunday, July 20 at Chiba Port Arena, head coach Laurent Tillie's squad improved to 8-4 in the global competition. Determination and a high level of execution carried Japan past Team USA. Outsider hitter Ran Takahashi ignited Japan's attack and finished with a team-best 18 points. Kento Miyaura chipped in with 13 points, which included two aces. Captain Yuki Ishikawa had seven points. Takahashi and Taishi Onodera were the team leaders in blocks (two apiece). Japan's Ran Takahashi reacts after scoring a point in the second set against the United States. (©SANKEI) "We had a difficult week with the national team, but we did well and this was important for us," Takahashi was quoted as saying, according to the Volleyball World website. "Going to the finals is also important for us. We get to meet more good teams and grow further. It was amazing to play here in this perfect environment." Before its sweep of the United States, Japan played three additional volleyball matches in Week 3 of the tourney's preliminary round. It started with a four-game victory over Germany on July 16, followed by a thrilling five-set comeback triumph over Argentina the next day. Brazil swept Japan (25-21, 25-23, 28-26) on July 18. Up next: Japan focuses on getting ready for the eight-team finals in Ningbo, China. In the quarterfinals, Brazil faces China and Italy takes on Cuba on July 30. Japan meets Poland and France plays Slovenia on July 31. The final is set for August 3. In 2023, Japan earned the silver medal at the Volleyball Nations League. A year earlier, the team placed third. Japan Men Capture Silver in the Volleyball Nations League Japan center Ramu Tokashiki looks to score against Australia in the FIBA Women's Asia Cup final on July 20 in Shenzhen, China. ( © FIBA/via KYODO) Australia defeated Japan 88-79 in the 2025 FIBA Women's Asia Cup final on Sunday, July 20 in Shenzhen, China, to win the title for the first time. Japan trailed 54-43 at halftime, but chipped away at the lead. Coach Corey Gaines' squad rallied from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter, using an 11-0 run to tie it at 70-70 on a Maki Takada jumper with 7:26 remaining. And with 3:54 to play, Takada sank a pair of free throws to pull Japan within 80-75. For Australia, an Alex Brooke Wilson 3-pointer extended the lead to 85-75 with 2:51 remaining. Rising Akatsuki Japan star Kokoro Tanaka had 19 of her game-high 21 points in the first quarter. The 19-year-old guard also finished with six rebounds and nine assists. Yuki Miyazawa contributed 18 points and nine boards. Team captain Takada poured in 14 points. Japan had 15 assists and 17 turnovers in the FIBA Women's Asia Cup final, and the latter statistic was a big factor in the game. Australia scored 26 points off its opponent's turnovers. Tournament MVP Alexandra Fowler paced the Aussies with 15 points on 7-for-11 shooting. In Sunday's third-place match, China routed South Korea, winning 101-66. Japan guard Kokoro Tanaka runs the offense against China in the FIBA Women's Asia Cup semifinals on July 19. ( © FIBA) The FIBA Women's Asia Cup was an impressive showcase for Tanaka, who averaged 14.8 points and 5.5 assists in six games. "When I first started watching her (Tanaka), I noticed that she is fearless, emotionless and things that faze other people don't faze her," Gaines said, according to "She's always even-toned even when stuff goes bad, even when I yell at her. As she gets older, she's only gonna get better." The former NBA player and ex-WNBA head coach added, "I've been hard on her, but her future is gonna be great. I show her love — it's tough love because I see greatness in her." Tanaka, who also plays for the WJBL's Eneos Sunflowers, knocked down 15 of 31 3-pointers in the tournament. Riko Gunji competes against South Korea's Se Young An in the Japan Open women's singles semifinals on July 19 at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. (KYODO) China's Yuqi Shi and South Korea's Se Young An triumphed in the men's and women's singles finals, respectively, at the Japan Open. The BWF World Tour tournament wrapped up on Sunday, July 20 at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. Shi earned a 21-17, 21-15 victory over France's Alex Lanier to secure the title. Japan's Koki Watanabe was eliminated in the semifinals on the previous day. An swept China's Zhiyi Wang 21-12, 21-10 in the women's final. On Saturday, Riko Gunji and fan favorite Akane Yamaguchi lost their semifinal matches in the Japanese capital. Also on Saturday, Chiharu Shida and Nami Matsuyama, who claimed the women's bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, dropped their final match in a tournament in Japan. Malaysia's Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan won 21-12, 21-11 in the doubles semifinals at the Japan Open. Shida and Matsuyama recently announced they would be ending their partnership after the 2025 Badminton World Championships, which will be held in late August in Paris. JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK | Badminton Stars Announce Plan to Part Ways Japan competes in the artistic swimming team free final at the World Aquatics Championships on July 20 in Singapore. (GETTY IMAGES/via KYODO) At the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, Japan collected the silver medal in the artistic swimming free competition on Sunday, July 20. Representing Japan in the event were Kaho Aitaka, Moka Fujii, Moe Higa, Yuka Kawase, Uta Kobayashi, Tomoka Sato, Nao Shirahase and Sakurako Uchida. They amassed 334.7232 points in the final for a trio of components ― total difficulty, artistic impression and execution ― and finished behind China (348.4749). In Singapore, Japan's young eight-woman artistic swimming squad featured five athletes who didn't compete at the Paris Olympics. Sato, the team captain, said the team's effort was strong. "We swam well in the preliminaries yesterday, so we told each other, 'We can definitely do it today,' before going into the finals," Sato said on Sunday, NHK reported. The 23-year-old Sato added, "I think we were able to [accomplish] a performance we can be proud of, and I'm relieved that it led to a result. We got off to a good start, but there are still other events to go, so we want to keep this momentum going and persevere until the end." Takumi Mori, Takaki Hara, Yuta Watanabe and Konosuke Yanagimoto represented Japan in the men's 400-meter freestyle relay at the 2025 World University Games on Thursday, July 17 in Berlin. The Japanese quartet placed second in the eight-nation final, completing the race in 3 minutes, 14.19 seconds. Brazil secured the bronze in 3:15.02, and the United States won the gold (3:12.30). The World University Games (July 16-27) is being held in six German cities. Author: Ed Odeven Find Ed on JAPAN Forward' s dedicated website, SportsLook . Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven .
Japan Forward
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Japan Forward
Soccer: Japan Men Capture 2nd Straight East Asian Title
Reporting on a bear on a golf course, Japan's soccer title in South Korea, the Volleyball Nations League and Itsuki Takemoto getting selected in the MLB Draft. The Japan men's national team jubilates after its title-clinching win in the 2025 East Asian Football Federation E-1 Football Championship on July 15 in Yongin, South Korea. (©SANKEI) Japan men's soccer standout Ryo Germain scored his tournament-leading fifth goal in the eighth minute against South Korea on Tuesday night, July 15. It was a high-stakes contribution for Germain, who plies his craft for the Sanfrecce Hiroshima, in the East Asian Football Federation E-1 Football Championship final in Yongin, South Korea. Teammate Yuki Soma created the scoring opportunity with a well-placed cross. The Samurai Blue defeated the hosts 1-0, completing the four-nation final round with a perfect 3-0 record. Japan's Ryo Germain (right) celebrates with a teammate after scoring a goal against South Korea in the first half. (KYODO) Manager Hajime Moriyasu selected all of the team's players from the instead of also filling out the roster with players who compete for European soccer squads. "My players made a great effort," Moriyasu said, according to Kyodo News. "They showed the pride of the and the depth of our national team." In Japan's first match of the E-1 Football Championship final round, Germain scored four goals in the opening half of a 6-1 rout of Hong Kong on July 8. Moriyasu's men then triumphed 2-0 over China in their second match of the tourney's final round on July 12. Japan's Keisuke Osako (Sanfrecce) was named the E-1 Football Championship's Best Goalkeeper. The next E-1 Football Championship is scheduled for 2028 in China. SPORTS SHORTS | Soccer: Japan Men Look to Maintain High-Scoring Output Japan's Yuki Ishikawa spikes the ball in an FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League match against Germany on July 16 at Chiba Port Arena. (©SANKEI) Playing its first of four home matches in Week 3 of the preliminary phase of the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League, Japan rallied past Germany on Wednesday, July 16. At Chiba Port Arena, Japan triumphed 21-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-20. National team standouts Yuki Ishikawa, Ran Takahashi and Kento Miyaura spearheaded Japan's come-from-behind victory. The threesome combined for 61 points, with 19 attack points, aka kills, apiece. Ishikawa, who had a match-best 22 points, also contributed two blocks and an ace before a lively crowd of 7,000. After picking up the win over Germany to improve to 6-3 in the preliminary round, Japan's challenging Week 3 schedule was as follows: Argentina (July 17), top-ranked Brazil (July 18) and the United States (July 20). Miyaura described his team's overall performance against Germany as positive. But he wasn't completely pleased with his performance. "We knew this was going to be a difficult match, and we had to adjust some details during the match," Miyaura told reporters. "I'm satisfied with our victory, but I know I have some things to improve for the next matches, especially my serve." The 18-team Volleyball Nations League runs from June 11 to August 3. And the top eight teams in the preliminary round, which is being staged in several countries during the three weeks of play, will advance to the quarterfinals. Starting on July 30, the northeastern Chinese city of Ningbo is the site for the final week of the competition. Japan Men Capture Silver in the Volleyball Nations League Meiji Yasuda Ladies Golf Tournament officials patrol Sendai Classic Golf Club in Tomiya, Miyagi Prefecture, where a bear was spotted, on July 16. (GETTY IMAGES/via KYODO) A bear was seen at Sendai Classic Golf Club in Tomiya, Miyagi Prefecture on Wednesday, July 16. Due to safety concerns, JLPGA Tour officials canceled the next day's first round of the Meiji Yasuda Ladies Golf Tournament. The tournament was shortened to three rounds (July 18-20), the JLPGA Tour announced on its website. And it will be contested without spectators. "We deeply apologize to the fans who have been looking forward to the event, and ask for your understanding in this matter," the JLPGA Tour said in its news release. Information on ticket refunds will be released as soon as possible, the JLPGA Tour also announced. Itsuki Takemoto (KYODO) The Athletics selected Wakayama native Itsuki Takemoto in the 19th round of the 2025 MLB Draft on Monday, July 14. A productive pitcher and designated hitter during the 2024 and '25 collegiate baseball seasons for the University of Hawaii, Takemoto was the 560th overall pick in the draft. As a sophomore, Takemoto made 15 pitching appearances (14 starts) in 2025. He had a 2-6 record with a 5.75 ERA with 22 walks and 57 strikeouts in a team-high 67⅓ innings. The Chiben Gakuen Wakayama Senior High School graduate also played 45 games as the designated hitter, including 37 starts. He hit .256 with 21 RBIs. In 2025, Takemoto earned All-Big West Conference accolades. Boosting his visibility in front of MLB scouts, the right-handed pitcher competed in the Cape Cod League in 2024. The summer league is a showcase circuit for college players who are highly regarded pro prospects. In nine appearances for the Orleans Firebirds, Takemoto had a 3-1 record with a 0.71 ERA, striking out 23 batters in 25⅓ innings. As a result of his dynamic effort on the mound, Takemoto received the Cape Cod League's 2024 BFC Whitehouse Outstanding Pitcher Award. The Athletics moved from Oakland to West Sacramento following the 2024 season. They are scheduled to be based in the suburban city near the California capital through 2027 and then move to a new ballpark in Las Vegas. For now, they are simply known as the Athletics or the A's, without Oakland or West Sacramento as part of their official name. Author: Ed Odeven Find Ed on JAPAN Forward' s dedicated website, SportsLook . Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven .
