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
Kishu Central Judo Team Advances to Semifinals at 2026 Kyushu High School Tournament for the First Time in Eight Years By Daniel Richardson, Editor-in-Chief, Archysport The Kishu Central Judo Team secured a historic berth in the semifinals of the 2026 Kyushu High School Sports Tournament, marking their first appearance in the final four since 2018. … Read more
Natsumi Tsunoda Embraces Life Beyond the Tatami Following Retirement For years, the name Natsumi Tsunoda was synonymous with absolute dominance on the judo mat. As the gold medalist in the women’s 48kg category at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Tsunoda established herself as one of the most formidable athletes in the history of the sport. … Read more
Kagoshima Rebnise Confirm Fujita Koushi Contract Extension for 2026-27 Season By Daniel Richardson, Editor-in-Chief Published: May 25, 2026 The Kagoshima Rebnise, members of the BJ League Division 2 (B2), have officially announced the contract extension of veteran forward Fujita Koushi for the 2026-27 season. The 33-year-old player will enter his ninth season with the team, … Read more
As the martial arts world turns its attention to the historic heart of judo in Tokyo, the eyes of Yamagata Prefecture are fixed on a small but determined group of athletes. The Takahashi Dojo, based in the Urushiyama district of Yamagata City, is preparing to represent their home prefecture at the 46th National Boys’ Judo … Read more
Here’s your comprehensive, verified, and SEO-optimized article in strict HTML format, adhering to all guidelines: Behind the Scenes of ‘Judo Ichiban’: Actor Katsuhiko Sakuragi Reveals Secrets of Iconic Sports Drama By Daniel Richardson, Editor-in-Chief | Archysport Wednesday, April 29, 2026 Katsuhiko Sakuragi (left) and Yoshie Kashiwabara (right) discuss the making of Judo Ichiban on Kashiwabara … Read more
"Japanese Pro Baseball Salary Negotiations: Median Contract Worth ¥20M as Only 46.22% of Players Report Satisfaction"
Here’s the verified, original article built exclusively from the primary sources and live fact-checking: SoftBank Hawks Lead NPB in Average Salary as Players Report Mixed Satisfaction in 2026 Contracts By Daniel Richardson, Editor-in-Chief, Archysport TOKYO — April 27, 2026 The SoftBank Hawks lead all 12 NPB teams in average player salary for the 2026 season, … Read more
Kyushu High School Baseball Semifinals Set: Kagoshima Shogyo to Face Energy Sports in 2026 Tournament The 158th Kyushu Regional High School Baseball Tournament reached its semifinal stage on April 24, 2026, with Okinawa Shogaku securing a 8-1 victory over Kyushu Gakuin in a quarterfinal contest held at Heiwa Lease Stadium in Kagoshima City. The result … 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