 Kyodo News

 The queen may have lost her fourth consecutive title, but the next generation of stars left their mark!

 At the Women's Figure World Championships, held until March 29th, Japan's top finishers were all Japanese: Kaori Sakamoto in 2nd place, Momone Chiba in 3rd, and Shinba Higuchi in 6th. Japan has now secured three slots for the '26 Milano Olympics, but...

The Sparkle Showcased by Kaori Sakamoto and Mone Chiba Leading to Milan

 Hiroyuki Komatsu

 The SC Karuizawa Club women's curling team won the Japan Curling Championships one year after starting their activities. They are now competing with the strong teams "Rocco Solare" and "Fortius" for the right to participate in the Cortina Olympics in Milan.

Inside SC Karuizawa Curling Club Women Their Secret Weapon The Sweeping Technique

 Michio Kurose

 To the Olympics for the ninth time! Special Interview

 Ski jumping legend Noriaki Kasai has competed in 8 Olympics. Training for the 26th Olympics in Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo, Kasai is still searching for his ideal jump at the age of 52...

Kasai Noriyaki: Still Chasing the Perfect Jump Vows to Keep Jumping Until He Turns 60!

 Read this and Professional Baseball 2025 will become more interesting! What is the conclusion drawn by "sabermetrics," the science of baseball? Will the new manager Fujikawa's Hanshin team come back? Will "Japan's Best" DeNA win the league? How will the "Shinjo Theater" end? Is Softbank solid? What will happen to Seibu, which lost 91 games last season?

 The professional baseball season has finally begun again this year! While pundits predict the standings on TV and in the newspapers, FRIDAY, with the cooperation of DELTA Corporation, makes a big prediction of the 12 teams' wins and losses! Read it and you will find Professional Baseball 2025 even more interesting!

Data-Driven Predictions Reveal This Year&#8217;s Central and Pacific League Champions in Pro Baseball

 Toshiaki Ichihara

 In this issue of Playback, we take a look back at what this magazine was reporting 10, 20, and 30 years ago. In this issue, we will introduce two "rookies" who had a near-miss during the opening game of the Pacific League season in March 2005.

Playback &#8217;05] &#8220;Scullery maid&#8221; and &#8220;scorer&#8221;&#8230; &#8220;Opening Day&#8221; of the Rookie Dalvish and his team

 The Yakult baseball team, which has been on the verge of regaining the championship, has been sluggish since the start of the season. What is the "secret plan" that manager Takatsu, in such a pinch, has requested from the upper management?

Yakult manager Shingo Takatsu, in a pinch, plans to acquire Richard Sunagawa. &#8230;&#8230;

 AFLO

 A home run in the opposite direction in the opening game of the season at his home base

 The "input swing" has been used by many of the greatest hitters in the history of professional baseball to accomplish great feats. Ohtani reveals that he uses a "cricket swing" to "catch the ball with a plane. What is the advantage of using a plane swing?

Shohei Ohtani&#8217;s Remarkable Cricket Swing Powers High Inside Pitches

 Tsuyoshi Shinjo, 53, the manager of Nippon Ham, suggested the possibility of using Fukuya Yamazaki, 32, as a "two-tool" pitcher in the interchange games. What is his intention?

Shinjo&#8217;s Surprising Move: Yamazaki Fukuya as Top Pitcher in Interleague Play

 Seibu infielder Sousuke Genda, 32, injured his left leg in an open game against Hanshin on March 12 and was diagnosed with a left rectus femoris muscle injury.

The &#8220;affair&#8221; that still lingers behind the poor condition of Sousuke Genda of Seibu.

 Myung-Woo Kim

 Takehiko Kohiyama

 This season, too, the curtain has been raised on the brilliant competition among women's professional golfers. Among them, there are many rookies who have been ranked in the top ranks from the very first round, foreshadowing the arrival of a new era. Sportswriter Kim Myeong-ik looks at the appeal of these "golden eggs.

 The domestic women's golf season has begun again this year. In addition to the talented players who are aiming for the title of queen of the year, young players with shining talents are also making their appearance on the scene. We will take a closer look at the abilities of these golden eggs.

From a gem who competed for the championship from the very first round to the younger sister of a popular pro&#8230; &#8220;Charming Heroine Candidates&#8221; Emerging One after Another in the World of Women&#8217;s Professional Golf

 This season, too, the curtain has been raised on the brilliant competition among women's professional golfers. Among them, there are many young players who have been ranked in the top ranks from the very first round, foreshadowing the arrival of a new era. Sportswriter Kim Myeong-gu looks at the appeal of these "golden eggs.

 The domestic women's golf season has begun again this year. In addition to the talented players who are vying for the title of queen of the year, young players with shining talent are also making their appearance on the scene. In this second part of the series, we will take a closer look at the charms of these golden eggs.

From a top-ranked high school gem to a natural rookie with a solid record of achievement&#8230; &#8220;This Season&#8217;s Heroine Candidates&#8221; in Women&#8217;s Professional Golf

 It has been learned that Hanshin manager Kyuji Fujikawa (44) angrily announced a "personnel move" to oust Yoshio Yoshida before the official season opener on March 28. The incident, which made everyone around him tense, took place on March 18.

Hanshin Manager Kyuji Fujikawa decides to make an &#8220;unusual personnel change&#8221; by &#8220;not attending a silent prayer for Yoshio Yoshida.&#8221; &#8230;&#8230;

 Kazuki Inoue, 53, who took over from Kazuyoshi Tachinami, 55, the former manager of the Central League's bottom-ranked team for the third consecutive year, has vowed to "cut out the Internet news" before the season opener. Kazuki Inoue, 53, who took over from Kazuyoshi Tachinami, 55, the former manager of the team that finished last in the Central League for the third consecutive season.

Chunichi Manager Kazuki Inoue declares &#8220;No Ego-Sa &#038; Internet News&#8221; because of &#8220;bitter memories&#8221; of former manager Tatsunami.

 Tomoki Kanamiya

 The rumors that had been whispered among those involved have come true. This time, doping violators were found among the girls' bicycle racers. The current riders are voicing their grief, asking for more thorough testing.

Yuki Kitai and then the girls! Doping scandal shakes the bicycle racing world, and active athletes complain, &#8220;Violators are still out there.

 Shinnosuke Abe, the 46-year-old manager of the Giants who led the team to the league championship last season by bringing in young players one after another, is said to be experiencing a "strange" change in his approach. What is it?

Giants&#8217; Manager Abe Faces Criticism from Young Players as Maru&#8217;s Injury Presents Unexpected Opportunity

 Shohei Otani's popularity is now sweeping the commercial industry. According to those in the know, Otani's time for shooting commercials is limited to two hours or less, and there are various restrictions. Even so, offers are pouring in, and there is a possibility that this could change the value of athletes in the commercial industry.

Shohei Ohtani&#8217;s Record-Breaking Commercial Popularity Highlights the Growing Value of Athletes

 Masao Kurihara

 Tsutomu Kishimoto

 FRIDAY Sports Nonfiction

 At the Konami Open (February 15-16), Satomi Suzuki (34, Miki House) won the women's breaststroke 50m and 100m double crown. Suzuki, the oldest swimmer in Japanese swimming history at the age of 33, took on the challenge of the Paris Olympics, and was a dynamic swimmer. We followed her "after" the Paris Olympics.

Swimmer Satomi Suzuki Still Evolving as a Veteran: &#8220;Still Aiming for the Record!&#8221;

 The new manager of the Hanshin baseball team, Kyuji Fujikawa (44), took over the team from former manager Akifumi Okada (67), who is now an advisor to the team's owner.
It is said that signs of "rebellion" among young pitchers have already begun to appear.

Hanshin&#8217;s Young Stars Turning Away from Fujikawa?

 The SC Karuizawa Club women's curling team is unique in Japan, which is now one of the world's leading curling nations. We closely followed the team, which won the Japanese championship in just one year after its formation, without any players in their 30s, let alone the "Golden Generation".

The Unconventional Path to the Olympics: Inside SC Karuizawa Club Women&#8217;s Curling Team

 Chunichi's Neo will concentrate on being a reliever this season. Since his first season as a pro, his role has shifted from ranger, outfielder, starter, and reliever to reliever. Can he make it big this time as a reliever? However, the former ace of the Dragons gave a harsh opinion to this magazine.

Former Chunichi Ace Criticizes Akira Neo – Challenges of Succeeding as a Full-Time Reliever

 Noriaki Kasai, the 52-year-old ski jump legend, talks about his response to the 9th Olympics. I reply, 'I'm not tired! Noriaki Kasai, a ski jumper, says he is feeling good about his performance in the 26th Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Milan.

Noriaki Kasai: The Legend Aiming for His Ninth Olympics with Confidence

 Keisuke Nishi (1st and 2nd), Eiji Ikeda (3rd), Hiroyuki Komatsu (4th)

 In this issue of Playback, we take a look back at what we were reporting 10 years ago. In this issue, we introduce an article from the April 10, 2003 issue that caught Katsuya Nomura, who had been rumored to be seriously ill since the fall of 2002, and his wife Sachiyo, who was supporting him.

Playback &#8217;15] Katsuya Nomura and Satchi&#8217;s &#8220;battle against illness&#8221; &#8211; &#8220;Theories that he is bedridden due to a serious illness&#8221;&#8230;

 Ichiro Takatsuka

 Shu Nishihara

 After the exciting "MLB Tokyo Series" came to an end on March 19, the Cubs and Dodgers teams returned to Japan for the season opener in the U.S. without much time to catch their breath. The pitcher who enjoyed his visit the most was Clayton Kershaw.

Extra big service for fans and family!　Clayton Kershaw, the great pitcher who &#8220;came to Japan on his own dime&#8221;, &#8220;A Tour of Japan&#8221;.

 A Close Finish in the Best of 8 at the WTT Champions Chongqing

 Hina Hayata, who narrowly missed the final four in the quarterfinals of the WTT Champions Chongqing 2025, lost to China's Wang Geidi, says the key to her revenge against the Chinese is her "long serve.

Sports

The Sparkle Showcased by Kaori Sakamoto and Mone Chiba Leading to Milan

Inside SC Karuizawa Curling Club Women Their Secret Weapon The Sweeping Technique

Kasai Noriyaki: Still Chasing the Perfect Jump Vows to Keep Jumping Until He Turns 60!

Data-Driven Predictions Reveal This Year’s Central and Pacific League Champions in Pro Baseball

Playback ’05] “Scullery maid” and “scorer”… “Opening Day” of the Rookie Dalvish and his team

Yakult manager Shingo Takatsu, in a pinch, plans to acquire Richard Sunagawa. ……

Shohei Ohtani’s Remarkable Cricket Swing Powers High Inside Pitches

Shinjo’s Surprising Move: Yamazaki Fukuya as Top Pitcher in Interleague Play

The “affair” that still lingers behind the poor condition of Sousuke Genda of Seibu.

From a gem who competed for the championship from the very first round to the younger sister of a popular pro… “Charming Heroine Candidates” Emerging One after Another in the World of Women’s Professional Golf

From a top-ranked high school gem to a natural rookie with a solid record of achievement… “This Season’s Heroine Candidates” in Women’s Professional Golf

Hanshin Manager Kyuji Fujikawa decides to make an “unusual personnel change” by “not attending a silent prayer for Yoshio Yoshida.” ……

Chunichi Manager Kazuki Inoue declares “No Ego-Sa & Internet News” because of “bitter memories” of former manager Tatsunami.

Yuki Kitai and then the girls! Doping scandal shakes the bicycle racing world, and active athletes complain, “Violators are still out there.

Giants’ Manager Abe Faces Criticism from Young Players as Maru’s Injury Presents Unexpected Opportunity

Shohei Ohtani’s Record-Breaking Commercial Popularity Highlights the Growing Value of Athletes

Swimmer Satomi Suzuki Still Evolving as a Veteran: “Still Aiming for the Record!”

Hanshin’s Young Stars Turning Away from Fujikawa?

The Unconventional Path to the Olympics: Inside SC Karuizawa Club Women’s Curling Team

Former Chunichi Ace Criticizes Akira Neo – Challenges of Succeeding as a Full-Time Reliever

Noriaki Kasai: The Legend Aiming for His Ninth Olympics with Confidence

Playback ’15] Katsuya Nomura and Satchi’s “battle against illness” – “Theories that he is bedridden due to a serious illness”…

Extra big service for fans and family!　Clayton Kershaw, the great pitcher who “came to Japan on his own dime”, “A Tour of Japan”.

Hina Hayata “long serve” breaks China’s “Hayata siege”!

Sports

The Sparkle Showcased by Kaori Sakamoto and Mone Chiba Leading to Milan

Inside SC Karuizawa Curling Club Women Their Secret Weapon The Sweeping Technique

Kasai Noriyaki: Still Chasing the Perfect Jump Vows to Keep Jumping Until He Turns 60!

Data-Driven Predictions Reveal This Year’s Central and Pacific League Champions in Pro Baseball

Playback ’05] “Scullery maid” and “scorer”… “Opening Day” of the Rookie Dalvish and his team

Yakult manager Shingo Takatsu, in a pinch, plans to acquire Richard Sunagawa. ……

Shohei Ohtani’s Remarkable Cricket Swing Powers High Inside Pitches

Shinjo’s Surprising Move: Yamazaki Fukuya as Top Pitcher in Interleague Play

The “affair” that still lingers behind the poor condition of Sousuke Genda of Seibu.

From a gem who competed for the championship from the very first round to the younger sister of a popular pro… “Charming Heroine Candidates” Emerging One after Another in the World of Women’s Professional Golf

From a top-ranked high school gem to a natural rookie with a solid record of achievement… “This Season’s Heroine Candidates” in Women’s Professional Golf

Hanshin Manager Kyuji Fujikawa decides to make an “unusual personnel change” by “not attending a silent prayer for Yoshio Yoshida.” ……

Chunichi Manager Kazuki Inoue declares “No Ego-Sa & Internet News” because of “bitter memories” of former manager Tatsunami.

Yuki Kitai and then the girls! Doping scandal shakes the bicycle racing world, and active athletes complain, “Violators are still out there.

Giants’ Manager Abe Faces Criticism from Young Players as Maru’s Injury Presents Unexpected Opportunity

Shohei Ohtani’s Record-Breaking Commercial Popularity Highlights the Growing Value of Athletes

Swimmer Satomi Suzuki Still Evolving as a Veteran: “Still Aiming for the Record!”

Hanshin’s Young Stars Turning Away from Fujikawa?

The Unconventional Path to the Olympics: Inside SC Karuizawa Club Women’s Curling Team

Former Chunichi Ace Criticizes Akira Neo – Challenges of Succeeding as a Full-Time Reliever

Noriaki Kasai: The Legend Aiming for His Ninth Olympics with Confidence

Playback ’15] Katsuya Nomura and Satchi’s “battle against illness” – “Theories that he is bedridden due to a serious illness”…

Extra big service for fans and family! Clayton Kershaw, the great pitcher who “came to Japan on his own dime”, “A Tour of Japan”.

Hina Hayata “long serve” breaks China’s “Hayata siege”!

Extra big service for fans and family!　Clayton Kershaw, the great pitcher who “came to Japan on his own dime”, “A Tour of Japan”.