Defining Sports Moments of Reiwa 7 Japan Beats Brazil and Loco Solare’s Tearful Loss
Year-End and New Year's Special Program
Japan National Soccer Team
October 14 – Historic victory over Brazil in an international friendly
A big boost toward the CONCACAF World Cup with the defeat of the soccer kingdom!
“Against Brazil, whom we had never beaten before, and coming back from 0-2 to win. I felt that Japanese soccer had moved up to the next stage.”
Japan Football Association Chairman Tsuneyasu Miyamoto (48) recalled the historic first victory.
At the October ‘Kirin Challenge Cup’, Moriyasu Japan defeated the Brazilian national team 3-2. In the second half, trailing by two goals, they implemented an offensive press from the front. Starting with Takumi Minamino’s (30) goal in the 7th minute of the second half, Keito Nakamura (25) and Ayase Ueda (27) scored consecutively.
Ace Ritsu Doan (27), who was active in both offense and defense and sparked two goals, showed confidence after the match, saying, “This was undoubtedly a big step.” Chairman Miyamoto also expects great things at the CONCACAF World Cup starting in June ’26.
“The players convey their ambition to achieve something big. I want them to give their all toward the best possible view.”
The preparation to surprise the world is complete.
Loco Solare
September 13 – Tears in defeat at the Japanese curling representative selection
The dream of appearing in the Olympics for the third consecutive tournament faded—
At the moment of defeat, skip Satsuki Fujisawa (34, left in photo) shed large tears.
“After the match, even when she came to the interview zone, her tears did not stop. Fujisawa shared a box of tissues with Chinami Yoshida (34, right in photo). She commented, ‘The road to the Olympics has been closed. I need to sort out my feelings.’ But she has resumed practice, aiming for the World Championship in March ’26,” said sports writer Soichiro Takeda.
We want to see Loco Solare’s smiles again.
Yuki Joseph Nakajima (23)
September 18 – Remarkable achievement in the 400m final at the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships
Set a new Japanese record!
In the 400m heats at the ‘Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships’ held in September ’25, Yuki Joseph Nakajima (23) clocked a Japanese record of 44.44 seconds. In the final, he surpassed Susumu Takano (64), who competed in the ’91 Tokyo Games, finishing 6th, the highest placement in history. In a post-race interview, he said, “I was happy to run on the final stage I had been aiming for, in my hometown Tokyo. But I still wanted to win a medal,” revealing a hint of regret behind his smile.
We look forward to a revenge attempt at the next tournament in two years.
A memorable first victory
Ami Nakai (17)
October 18 – First Senior GP Series Appearance, First Victory
The achievement was supported by her triple axel and another weapon
Her weapon is the triple axel, but “I think she has the aerial sense that will eventually allow her to do quadruple jumps” (Mr. Takahito Mura).Winning in her first senior GP Series appearance, the remarkable feat of the just-17-year-old Ami Nakai was described as a shock by former figure skater Takahito Mura.
“This was a competition where her major weapon, the triple axel, shone. I wondered how far she could continue, and in her second event she placed third. Often a skater will have one good result in either the first or second event, but to achieve consecutive strong results and secure a spot in the GP Final (2nd place) is extremely difficult. To do that in her first senior year is simply amazing.”
Mr. Mura also praised Nakai’s mental strength.
“You could feel her fearless, assertive attitude throughout the season. Even at the Final, where only the six winners compete, world champion Kaori Sakamoto (25) made mistakes. Yet in such an extreme setting, she was able to attack, to fully show what she has. A truly formidable skater has emerged.”
The birth of a young queen.
Forever Young
November 1 – First Victory for a Japanese-Trained Horse in the BC Classic
Winning the pinnacle race in the home of dirt racing, aiming for the world’s top
Jockey Ryusei Sakai responds to the cheers after winning the BC Classic. Currently undefeated in Japan with 10 wins in 13 races. Will we see it run in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe!?A new milestone has been set in Japanese horse racing. On November 2, at the world’s highest stage, the Breeders’ Cup Classic in the U.S., Forever Young (4-year-old colt) stood at the top.
Although now a world champion, the horse did not show signs of a monster from the start. Jockey Ryusei Sakai (28) recalls:
“Before its debut, it was really an ordinary horse with no notable traits. But by its second or third race, I felt, ‘This horse could succeed overseas.’ Facing the top-level race with such confidence this time made me realize what an incredible horse it has become. It’s now the world’s best dirt horse, and I want to win every race it enters from now on. I also want to be the jockey worthy of this horse.”
The story of the young master, considered the brains of the JRA, and Forever Young continues. The second chapter will be exciting to watch.
—From “FRIDAY” January 2, 9, 16, 2026 combined issue.
PHOTO： Afro (Nakajima) Kyodo News (Forever Young)