Taira Junior Judo Class Kicks Off Fresh Season in Iwaki City The Taira Judo Association has officially launched its youth program for the year, welcoming a new cohort of students to the mats in Fukushima Prefecture. On April 9, the organization held the opening ceremony for the Taira Junior Judo Class at the Iwaki City … Read more
Bracket Set for 98th Spring Prefectural High School Baseball Tournament The road to Nagano has officially begun. The draw for the 98th Spring Prefectural High School Baseball Tournament took place on April 14, 2026, establishing the path for 37 teams competing for a coveted spot in the regional championships. For the athletes and coaches involved, … Read more
Brackets Set for Spring Hyogo Prefectural High School Baseball Tournament; Kobe Kokusai University High School Faces Tough Path The road to summer glory in Hyogo Prefecture has officially begun. On Tuesday, April 14, the lottery for the Spring Hyogo Prefectural High School Baseball Tournament took place in Akashi City, finalizing the brackets for one of … Read more
Riku Okada Claims First All-Japan Title, Sets Sights on Asian Games Gold Riku Okada has officially announced his arrival on the national stage. The 23-year-old standout from Sapporo captured his first title in the men’s 90kg category at the All-Japan Selected Judo Weight Category Championships, securing his place as Japan’s representative for the upcoming Asian … Read more
Ryuju Nagayama Announces Birth of Second Child Following World Championship Success Japanese judo star Ryuju Nagayama is celebrating a major victory off the tatami. The Paris 2024 Olympic medalist and current world champion announced the birth of his second child on April 12, sharing the news and a photo of the recent sibling with his … Read more
From Gold Medals to Community Roots: Natsumi Tsunoda’s Surprising Post-Retirement Transition For most of the world, Natsumi Tsunoda is defined by a single, explosive moment in Paris: the perfectly executed Tomoe-nage that secured her the gold medal in the women’s 48kg judo category. She was the image of elite athletic intensity, a competitor who scaled … Read more
Haruto Takahashi Dominates in Complete-Game Shutout Before Sudden Roster Move In a commanding display of pitching and tactical grit, the Hanshin Tigers secured a 3-0 victory over the Chunichi Dragons on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at the Vantelin Dome. The centerpiece of the win was a masterful performance by left-hander Haruto Takahashi, who delivered his … Read more
Paris Olympic Bronze Medalist Ryuki Nagayama Announces Birth of Second Child Ryuki Nagayama, the 29-year-old standout of the 60kg division and a bronze medalist from the Paris Olympics, shared a personal milestone with the world on Sunday, April 12, 2026. The Park24 judoka announced via Instagram that he and his wife have welcomed their second … Read more
Rio 2016 Olympic Judo: Misato Nakamura and Kuzhutina Meet in 52kg Quarterfinals In a glance back at the 2016 Rio Olympics, records highlight a key encounter in the women’s 52kg judo division during the quarterfinal round. The competition featured a match between Misato Nakamura and Kuzhutina, as the athletes vied for advancement in the tournament’s … Read more
Wolf Along Defends 10 Million Yen Prize, Dominating Six Challengers in ABEMA Special In a high-stakes display of athletic dominance, Wolf Along successfully defended a 10 million yen prize on April 11, 2026, by defeating six consecutive challengers during a special event hosted by the internet television platform ABEMA. The challenge, titled “Get 3 Counts … Read more