 Kojiro Yamada

 While the promotion of Toyoshoryu to yokozuna has been controversial because of his "dignity," there is also the opinion that "Toyoshoryu's promotion to yokozuna will change the way we view Reiwa's sumo. We asked a sumo critic about how sumo should be enjoyed in the future.

Reiwa-Era Sumo&#8217;s Ideal: Four Yokozuna with Experienced Dignity and Individuality

 Takero Shintai (1st), Keisuke Nishi

 In this issue of Playback, we look back at what this magazine reported 10, 20, and 30 years ago. This time, we focus on Hakuho's "riot of criticism of referees" that took place after the first tournament of 2003. The day after he apologized for the disturbance, Hakuho went out for a night on the town. ......

[Playback 2015] Hakuho&#8217;s Drunken Night After Judge Criticism Controversy

 Hiroyuki Komatsu

 After the fierce battle at the Japan Championships, the final game will be held in Wakkanai in September to decide the representatives for the Olympics. Rocco Solare" led by Mayuki Fujisawa, "SC Karuizawa Club", the champion of the previous year, and "Fortius" with Sayaka Yoshimura.

 At the Japan Curling Championships held on February 6, Loco Solare, which was considered the favorite to win the championship, was eliminated in the semifinals. While all the teams raised their level, it was Fortius who won this year's tournament, and the winner of the Olympics representative round in September will be...

[Women&#8217;s Curling] The Three-Way Battle on Ice for Olympic Glory

 Shinji Hamasaki (1st to 3rd photos), Hiroyuki Komatsu (4th to 7th, 9th photos), Shinya Inui (8th photo)

 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 introduce the "fairy" Sharapova's fever in Japan, which appeared in the February 18, 2005 issue, along with images from that time.

Playback &#8217;05] &#8220;Japanese fans are too excited&#8221; &#8211; &#8220;Fairy&#8221; Sharapova&#8217;s Fever in Japan

 Taisuke Nishida

 Yuji Yanagawa (nonfiction writer)

 Yuichiro Ueno, who was dismissed from his post as Rikkyo University ekiden coach a year and four months ago due to an affair with a female club member, has returned to active duty in Saga Prefecture. He says, "I can only repay my debt to Rikkyo University by running.

Former Rikkyo University Ekiden Director Dismissed for &#8220;Affair with Female Club Member&#8221; Says &#8220;I Can Only Repay Giving Back by Running

 Masao Kurihara

 Kazuhiko Nakamura

 Special Interview [Part 1

 Teikyo High School impressed us with its prestigious revival in the recent National High School Soccer Championship. However, it was not enough for former coach Sadao Furunuma, who once led Teikyo to six championship titles, tied for the most in the postwar era. How did he go from a soccer amateur to a great general?

Sadao Furunuma&#8217;s Coaching Wisdom Reveals the Secret Behind a Team&#8217;s Success

 Special Interview Project [Part 2

 Teikyo (Tokyo) attracted a lot of attention at the recent National High School Soccer Championship. Former coach Sadao Furunuma led Teikyo to six championship titles, tied for the most in the postwar era. The famous coach talks about his secret stories with Noritake Kinashi and Machida Zelvia coach Tsuyoshi Kuroda.

Sadao Furunuma Reveals Untold Stories of Noritake Kinashi &#038; Machida Zelvia&#8217;s Tsuyoshi Kuroda

 Kyodo News

 Yakult pitcher Yasunobu Okukawa (23), who has no chance of making the first team, has been hit by another accident. What was Okugawa's pinch, as described by a source close to the situation.

Yakult&#8217;s Kyosuke Okugawa Faces Critical Crisis with Injuries to Elbow and Lower Body

 AFLO

 Former Major Leaguer Ryota Igarashi, Major League Baseball expert Nachi Tomonari, and Ryoichi Fukushima discuss in-depth!

 This year, Shohei Ohtani takes the mound in the Majors for the first time in almost two years. What kind of results will the returning superstar really achieve? Three Major League Baseball experts thoroughly discuss and predict "Shohei Ohtani in 2025.

[Special Roundtable Discussion &#8211; Part 2] Shohei Ohtani&#8217;s 2025: A Pitcher&#8217;s Return and Season Projections

 Former Major Leaguer Ryota Igarashi, Major League Baseball expert Nachi Tomonari and Ryoichi Fukushima discuss in-depth!

 This year, Shohei Ohtani will take the mound in the Majors for the first time in almost two years. What kind of results will the returning superstar really achieve? Three Major League Baseball experts thoroughly discuss and predict "Shohei Ohtani in 2025.

Shohei Ohtani 2025: Bold Predictions for Batting, HRs, and Stolen Bases!

 Toyoshoryu's appearance and character are a mirror image of his uncle, Asashoryu, who was fired up by the idea of "surpassing me!

 It was just before 10 p.m. at the end of January, and a new yokozuna, Toyoshoryu, got out slowly from the back seat of a luxury foreign car parked downtown in Minato Ward, where many restaurants are lined up. 188 cm and 148 kg, his huge body exudes an unmistakable air of dignity. ......

&#8220;Pressure? What Pressure?&#8221; Yokozuna Hoshoryu Seen Enjoying Nightlife Before Dedication Ceremony

 Shozaru was reported by Shukan Shincho as a bully. The followers of the other rooms say that Shozaru's case is unusual. He said that the sekitori are very careful with the youngsters because of the stricter compliance rules. What is the sadness of the sekitori, according to the followers?

Shozaru’s Lone Struggle: From Bullying Allegations to Doing His Own Shopping

 A former detective of the Investigation Department of the Osaka Prefectural Police finally "caught" Koji, who had been chasing him since he was 15. We interviewed the skinny-headed, handsome former detective who was involved in the arrest of a fugitive criminal who caused a stir all over Japan.

Koji&#8217;s Encounter with a Former Osaka Detective

 Takehiko Kohiyama

 Mixed martial arts fighter who is descended from Kazushi Sakuraba, the "IQ wrestler," made his debut at "RIZIN" at the end of last year with a mere 26-second TKO.

 Last New Year's Eve, Daiyo Sakuraba made his mixed martial arts debut at "RIZIN DECADE" and won by TKO in 26 seconds. His father is legendary Kazushi Sakuraba. Daisei, who came to the world of martial arts from an office job, reveals his relationship with his father.

Taisei Sakuraba: Stronger and Unstoppably Popular, Following a Martial Arts Legacy

 Japanese ace has been refreshed after the Paris Olympics, where she suffered from wounds all over her body!

 The previous year's champion, Hina Hayata, appeared at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium at the '25 All Japan Table Tennis Championships' with her left arm painfully taped. She overpowered her opponents with her powerful play, showing no signs of the effects of her injury, and won her third consecutive title. Here is an analysis of her strength.

Hayata Hina on Why She Switched to an Aggressive Fighting Style

 Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts visited Japan in January. In between his many events, he and his wife, Briana, were spotted strolling the streets of Ameyoko and Ueno!

Mookie Betts Spotted on Date with Wife Talks Growing Popularity

 Fortximotto (2nd and 3rd photos) Kyodo News

 Check out the young skaters who will be active in the pre-season of Milan Cortina Olympics!

 With the Milan Winter Olympics coming up next year, the competition for the national team in Japan is intensifying. At the All-Japan Championships, Kaori SAKAMOTO won her fourth consecutive title, and the rising stars are also shining brightly in their pursuit of the World Queen. The second half of the season is about to begin.

The Rise of Women&#8217;s Figure Skating&#8217;s &#8220;New Stars on Ice&#8221; as the Battle Continues

 Yuji Yanagawa (Nonfiction writer)

 Hidakatsu Dainao

 The island in the Genkai Sea with a total population of about 24,000 was filled with joy!

 The baseball team of Nagasaki Prefectural Iki High School, located on Iki Island in Nagasaki Prefecture, has been recognized by the Japan High School Baseball Federation and has been selected to participate in the National High School Baseball Tournament for the 21st Century. What is the determination of the 21 ball players, 4 managers, and the coach who have been in friendly competition since childhood?

Iki High School Baseball Team Secures First Senbatsu Berth with 21 Players from Remote Island

 They switched their clubs to microphones and held a live performance!

 Professional golfers Reika Usui and Nana Suganuma held a live concert in Tokyo as the idol unit "Chell7. They sang 7 songs in total, and about 500 fans were excited. We interviewed the two after the live performance.

Reika Usui × Nana Suganuma: Popular Pro Golfers&#8217; Shocking Idol Debut!

 The aftermath of the Fuji Television Network fiasco, triggered by Masahiro Nakai's troubles with women, has unexpectedly hit the world of professional baseball as well. What is the content of the "no mixers" order issued by a local TV station to its female announcers? ......

The aftermath of the &#8220;Masahiro Nakai problem&#8221; is also here&#8230; A &#8220;ban on joint meetings between players and female announcers&#8221; is now in effect in Miyazaki, a professional baseball campsite.

 On February 9, Ki Matsutani, a college student fighter, will challenge the top of K-1. We interviewed her in her casual clothes before the big fight.

Kira Matsutani: College Fighter Confidently Aims for K-1 Title and the Top

 Myung-Woo Kim

 MHN Sports

 Yoo Hyun-joo, a popular Korean female golfer, appeared at the first pitch ceremony of the official billiards tournament. Yoo Hyun-joo succeeded in making a trick shot and showed a smile on her face. We will report in detail on the first pitch ceremony and the outlook for this season's tourney.

Korea&#8217;s Golf Sexy Queen Impresses in Billiards

 The "Japan Curling Championship Yokohama 2025" is being held at "Yokohama BUNTAI" in Yokohama City, and popular teams such as Loco Solare are competing in the second round of the preliminary round. What is the reality of each team's "mugging time"? ......

Rocco Solare’s Goku Goku Time and Curling Teams&#8217; Snacks

 Yushi Taguchi

 Strengths and concerns of his pitching style, which he throws down from a very high altitude

 Akinori Sasaki has been selected to join the Dodgers from Lotte. Aiming for an early promotion to the major leagues, a motion analysis expert explains "192cm's unique form" while looking at a series of photos of Sasaki. What are his strengths and concerns?

Sports

Reiwa-Era Sumo’s Ideal: Four Yokozuna with Experienced Dignity and Individuality

[Playback 2015] Hakuho’s Drunken Night After Judge Criticism Controversy

[Women’s Curling] The Three-Way Battle on Ice for Olympic Glory

Playback ’05] “Japanese fans are too excited” – “Fairy” Sharapova’s Fever in Japan

Former Rikkyo University Ekiden Director Dismissed for “Affair with Female Club Member” Says “I Can Only Repay Giving Back by Running

Sadao Furunuma’s Coaching Wisdom Reveals the Secret Behind a Team’s Success

Sadao Furunuma Reveals Untold Stories of Noritake Kinashi & Machida Zelvia’s Tsuyoshi Kuroda

Yakult’s Kyosuke Okugawa Faces Critical Crisis with Injuries to Elbow and Lower Body

[Special Roundtable Discussion – Part 2] Shohei Ohtani’s 2025: A Pitcher’s Return and Season Projections

Shohei Ohtani 2025: Bold Predictions for Batting, HRs, and Stolen Bases!

“Pressure? What Pressure?” Yokozuna Hoshoryu Seen Enjoying Nightlife Before Dedication Ceremony

Shozaru’s Lone Struggle: From Bullying Allegations to Doing His Own Shopping

Koji’s Encounter with a Former Osaka Detective

Taisei Sakuraba: Stronger and Unstoppably Popular, Following a Martial Arts Legacy

Hayata Hina on Why She Switched to an Aggressive Fighting Style

Mookie Betts Spotted on Date with Wife Talks Growing Popularity

The Rise of Women’s Figure Skating’s “New Stars on Ice” as the Battle Continues

Iki High School Baseball Team Secures First Senbatsu Berth with 21 Players from Remote Island

Reika Usui × Nana Suganuma: Popular Pro Golfers’ Shocking Idol Debut!

The aftermath of the “Masahiro Nakai problem” is also here… A “ban on joint meetings between players and female announcers” is now in effect in Miyazaki, a professional baseball campsite.

Kira Matsutani: College Fighter Confidently Aims for K-1 Title and the Top

Korea’s Golf Sexy Queen Impresses in Billiards

Rocco Solare’s Goku Goku Time and Curling Teams’ Snacks

Roki Sasaki Joins Dodgers: Analyzing His Unique Pitching Form