New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) has partnered with Karatsu City for a second consecutive year to produce a promotional campaign for the city’s furusato nozei (hometown tax) donation program. The initiative, which features a 2021 Tokyo Olympics judo men’s 100kg category athlete, includes promotional footage shot on location in Karatsu. NJPW and Karatsu City deepen local … Read more
Naomi Osaka has secured a place in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon after a victory over the world No. 1. The 14th-seeded player navigated a challenging fourth-round match at the All England Club in London. A Breakthrough Performance on Grass The match, held on the seventh day of the tournament, saw Osaka overcome the top-seeded opponent. … Read more
Shimane Judo Advisor Suspended for 1 Year Over Alleged Physical and Verbal Abuse The Shimane Judo Federation has imposed a one-year suspension on a 20-something male teacher at Kaisai Junior High School in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, following allegations of physical punishment and harsh verbal treatment of judo team members, according to official records and reports … Read more
The Kenpoku Sports Association Judo Tournament, held June 28 at the NCV Fukushima Arena in Fukushima City, showcased regional talent across multiple youth and junior high school divisions. The event served as a focal point for local judo development, drawing participants from across the prefecture to compete in both team and individual categories. Tournament Results … Read more
The Kumamoto Nichinichi Shimbun has awarded the 76th Kumamoto Nichi-nichi Shimbun Prize to photojournalist Shisei Kuwabara, honoring his contributions to society, culture, and regional development. The awards ceremony, a long-standing tradition in Kumamoto Prefecture, recognizes individuals whose professional excellence has brought distinction to the region and impacted the national consciousness. Shisei Kuwabara: Documenting the Minamata … Read more
Tenshi High School Judo Club Challenges Tradition with ‘Hair Salon’ Project According to a statement from Tenshi High School, the school’s judo club has launched a “hair salon” initiative, allowing students to experiment with hairstyles as part of their extracurricular activities. The move has sparked conversations about self-expression in Japanese sports culture, with officials describing … Read more
World Judo Champion Opens Doors for Beginners: How to Join Tadahiro Nomura’s ‘Fun to Judo’ Workshop in Nara By Daniel Richardson | Archysport Published June 2024 A three-time Olympic judo champion is inviting beginners to experience the sport’s fundamentals in a relaxed, hands-on workshop in Nara, Japan. Tadahiro Nomura, the only man to win three … Read more
Shirogane Ashikaga Secures Three-Peat in Interhigh Judogi Prefectural Tournament; Kokugaku Tochigi Claims Girls’ Title Shirogane Ashikaga High School captured its third consecutive boys’ team title at the Interhigh judo prefectural tournament on June 27, while Kokugaku Tochigi High School claimed its second straight girls’ championship, according to the Tochigi Prefectural Sports Federation. The event, held … Read more
Okayama Prefecture Launches Feasibility Study for New Fagiano Okayama Stadium Okayama Prefecture has initiated a feasibility study for a new stadium to serve as the home ground for J1 League club Fagiano Okayama, according to the Football Stadium Discussion Committee (事務局: Okayama Prefecture). The committee aims to evaluate infrastructure needs, fan experience upgrades, and financial … Read more
Judo Gold Medalist Natsumi Kakita Retires in 2026 After Tokyo 2020 Triumph By Daniel Richardson | Editor-in-Chief, Archysport | Updated: June 10, 2024 Natsumi Kakita, the 33-year-old judoka who won gold in the women’s 48kg category at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, has announced her retirement from competitive judo effective January 2026. The announcement comes after … Read more