 AFLO Kyodo News

 Entering August, home runs and stolen bases are in high production. The last half of the season is also different from last year.

 Shohei Otani made a rare negative comment. His monthly batting average and on-base percentage are the lowest of the season, and he seems to be in a slump. However, Ohtani has repeatedly blown away the concerns of those around him! He is on his way to achieving the unprecedented "50-50" mark.

Shohei Ohtani Chasing Unprecedented 50-50 Feat

 Hiroyuki Komatsu

 It has been almost a year since Koji Takanohana, known as "the great yokozuna of the Heisei era," announced that he had remarried.' In December 1989, "FRIDAY" was the first to report the scene of his date with his current wife, A. Takanohana's reaction to the article at the time was: ......

Takanohana Reflects on First Photo and Life with New Wife

 Last season, the Hanshin Tigers won the long-desired Japanese championship for the first time in 38 years. This season, the Tigers are challenging for back-to-back championships for the first time in the team's history, and although they are currently on the road for a long period of time, their performance has been lackluster. Some say that manager Akifumi Okada is in a bad mood...

Discord Intensifies Behind the Scenes as Hanshin Tigers Manager Akinobu Okada Is in a Bad Mood

 Tsuyoshi Aso

 This June, for the first time in history, a Japanese racer echoed the Kimigayo at Imola, the sacred place of F1. The young racer, who was just 17 years old, was the first one to run through the legendary corner where a statue of Ayrton Senna stands.

17-Year-Old Racer Nicknamed ‘Robot’ Makes History with First Japanese National Anthem at Imola F1

 Taguchi Yuji

 Yusei Kikuchi, who made his first pitching appearance with the Astros from the Blue Jays, has been a big hit with his hip-first pitching technique, which allows him to strike out eight consecutive batters!

 Yusei Kikuchi, who was traded from the Blue Jays to the Astros in a surprise move, threw a great pitch in his first start against the Rays, striking out eight consecutive batters, tying a team record. An expert in motion analysis gives an in-depth look at the strengths and challenges of Kikuchi's form!

Yusei Kikuchi Transfers to Astros from Blue Jays Showcases Hip-First Delivery and Natural Flexibility

 JMPA (1st photo) Kyodo News (2nd photo)

 Japan's men's volleyball team did not win a medal at the Paris Olympics, but the team was very popular, with tickets for the preliminary round sold out before the games began. Nevertheless, the Japan Volleyball Association is said to be facing a "money problem.

Yuki Ishikawa and Ran Takahashi&#8217;s Rising Popularity Highlight Financial Issues for Japan Volleyball Association

 Kazuya Mukai

 Kazuyoshi Kuriki

 Head coach Eddie Jones returned to the Japanese national rugby team after an absence of almost nine years. Leach Michael was entrusted with the captaincy by the famous general. At one point he was considering retiring early, but he is now taking on a new challenge.

Michael Leitch Embraces Change to Drive Team Growth

 Tetsuya Higashikawa/JMPA

 At the Paris Olympics, Japan's judo team won fewer medals than at the previous games in Tokyo. One of the reasons for this is pointed out to be the numerous "miscarriages of justice. What is the background of the disorder in the "order" of internationalized JUDO?

Low Referee Standards Cause Disarray in Paris Olympics Judo

 Shu Nishihara

 On August 13 (Japan time), Keisuke Honda will make his return to the game after a three-year absence. Before taking on the challenge of playing for an overseas team, Honda apparently consulted with someone other than "Little Honda. This magazine found him spending an evening in Nishiazabu with his "reliable right-hand man.

Keisuke Honda&#8217;s Surprising Comeback and the Right-Hand Man He Discussed in Nishiazabu

 Sota Shima (2nd and 3rd), Keisuke Nishi (4th)

 Among this year's college student draft candidates, Shogo, Kazuhiro Kiyohara's eldest son, is attracting a lot of attention. If Shogo does enter the pro ranks, it is inevitable that there will be a battle among the TV stations, but the one with the biggest advantage is said to be that station.

Father and son together? If Shogo, the eldest son of Kazuhiro Kiyohara, becomes a professional baseball player, &#8220;that TV station&#8221; is rumored to have an overwhelming advantage in the coverage.

 Masao Kurihara

 Watanabe Koji

 The "Hand of God" that saved Nippon many times! We interviewed the 193cm mood-maker who played a key role in Japan's success at the Paris Olympics by closing out all three group league games!

 We interviewed Brian Reo Kokubo, the guardian god of Japan's U-23 national soccer team that took on the challenge of the Paris Olympics! The "divine save" that surprised the world in the group league. We report from the field on the "divine hand" that saved Nippon's life many times!

Japan U-23 national soccer team goalkeeper Reo Kokubo Brian: &#8220;Next, I aim to be a guardian god of the A national team!

 JMPA

 Only at the Olympics can the Japanese women's volleyball team be redeemed for their defeat at the Olympics.

 The Japanese women's volleyball team, which had been aiming for a medal, was eliminated in the first round league. Sarina Koga, the ace who led the team, left the court in tears. Who will take over the ace's spirit in Los Angeles?

Japan&#8217;s volleyball women&#8217;s national team unexpectedly eliminated from the first round league&#8230;to carry on the spirit of Sarina Koga&#8217;s &#8220;ace in tears

 JMPA representative photo

 Japan's men's volleyball team competed for the first gold medal in 52 years since the Munich Olympics.

Why Ai Takahashi and Fuji TV announcer Sakuma&#8217;s &#8220;exclusive chatting time&#8221; at the Paris Olympics drew a flood of criticism.

 Hina Hayata injured her left wrist, her dominant arm, and was forced to compete in the third-place match after injecting painkillers. Three years after the Tokyo Olympics, in which she was a reserve, she reached the podium after a long and arduous journey.

 Hina Hayata broke down in tears and shed tears of happiness after winning the bronze medal in the third-place match of the women's singles table tennis tournament on August 3. Three years after the Tokyo Olympics, where she was a reserve, she overcame a great ordeal and reached the podium at the end of her hardship.

Hina Hayata won the bronze medal in tears with her pride of being a queen.

 Takero Yui (Toshihiko Seko), Kyodo News (2nd, 5th, and 7th pictures)

 Toshihiko Seko, a two-time Olympian and marathon leader of the Japan Association of Athletics Federations (JAAF), predicts the men's and women's marathons on August 10 and 11 will be the first in 20 years. He says that this year's race will be the toughest course in the history of the event, and that it will not be a record-breaking race.

Toshihiko Seko Names Honami Maeda as Gold Medal Contender for Paris Olympics Women&#8217;s Marathon

 Photographed by JMPA

 The Japanese women's gymnastics team competed in the Paris Olympics with four members after captain Shoko Miyata (19) withdrew from the competition due to her drinking and smoking problem. Their team competition ended with an 8th place finish.

Gymnastics Officials Respond to Fans’ Concerns About Women&#8217;s Team Uniforms

 On August 5, Japan's men's volleyball team was eliminated from the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics against Italy after a deadly full-set match. Sarina Koga (28) and other members of the Japanese women's team, who had been eliminated the day before, were at the venue.

Japan&#8217;s Volleyball Ace Couple Nishida and Koga Showcase Their Union at Paris Olympics

 Kyodo News

 The IOC officials were outraged at the "malicious false accusation against Imane Keriff," who was branded an ex-male.　You should remember how many people have lost their lives because of your unjustified slander.

IOC Official Outraged by Malicious Rumors Targeting Imane Kerif Labeled as Former Man

 Rui Yamura, 26, the ace of the men's basketball team that suffered its third consecutive loss at the Paris Olympics and was eliminated from the preliminary round, left the team on August 2 with a left calf injury.

Rui Hachimura&#8217;s Special Treatment at Paris Olympics Confounds Officials

 Natsumi Tsunoda was the only female judo athlete to win a gold medal in the 48kg category. She is the oldest gold medalist in the history of judo in Japan, and her comments on YouTube about her "future" are attracting attention. Let us take a look at what she has to say.

Natsumi Tsunoda Wins Gold as Predicted and Considers Moving to Mixed Martial Arts

 Yuji Yanagawa (Imasamaru, Sakai, Miura, Yoshida) Sankei Shimbun (Fujita)

 August has arrived and summer is finally in full swing! The sweltering heat continues, but the "hot" season of high school baseball has also arrived! Kanagawa's Giants and the prestigious Weiten... What is the true value of the "Big 5" who are making great strides at Koshien in midsummer?

The True Value of the ‘Big Five’ Thriving in the Midsummer Koshien

 Takeo Shigumura

 Bicycle racing, a sport that originated in Japan, is now attracting more and more attention. In the "Girls' Keirin," women's bicycle races in particular, beautiful battles are being fought on a daily basis. We take a closer look at the real faces of three of the hottest female cyclists in the sport.

Girls&#8217; Keirin Anime Boosts Popularity as Top Athletes Discuss the Charm of Stunning Battles

 Kota Inoue, courtesy of captain Naoshige Nakagawa (4th photo)

 On August 7, the summer Koshien (the National High School Baseball Championships) will open. This year, Wajima High School, which was severely damaged by the Noto Peninsula earthquake in the New Year, lost in the first round of the Ishikawa Prefectural Tournament. But their summer is not over yet. ......

Wajima High School Baseball Team Aims to Practice on Their Own Field Again After Noto Peninsula Earthquake Damage

 Kazuhiro Tamura (former chief editor of Rugby Magazine)

 Farewell Special Interview

 Shiro Tanaka, the 166cm tall "little giant", former SH of Japan's national rugby team, retired at the end of this season. Tanaka, who participated in three World Cups in a row until the 1919 tournament in Japan, talks about his athletic life supported by his loving wife, Tomomi.

Sports

Shohei Ohtani Chasing Unprecedented 50-50 Feat

Takanohana Reflects on First Photo and Life with New Wife

Discord Intensifies Behind the Scenes as Hanshin Tigers Manager Akinobu Okada Is in a Bad Mood

17-Year-Old Racer Nicknamed ‘Robot’ Makes History with First Japanese National Anthem at Imola F1

Yusei Kikuchi Transfers to Astros from Blue Jays Showcases Hip-First Delivery and Natural Flexibility

Yuki Ishikawa and Ran Takahashi’s Rising Popularity Highlight Financial Issues for Japan Volleyball Association

Michael Leitch Embraces Change to Drive Team Growth

Low Referee Standards Cause Disarray in Paris Olympics Judo

Keisuke Honda’s Surprising Comeback and the Right-Hand Man He Discussed in Nishiazabu

Father and son together? If Shogo, the eldest son of Kazuhiro Kiyohara, becomes a professional baseball player, “that TV station” is rumored to have an overwhelming advantage in the coverage.

Japan U-23 national soccer team goalkeeper Reo Kokubo Brian: “Next, I aim to be a guardian god of the A national team!

Japan’s volleyball women’s national team unexpectedly eliminated from the first round league…to carry on the spirit of Sarina Koga’s “ace in tears

Why Ai Takahashi and Fuji TV announcer Sakuma’s “exclusive chatting time” at the Paris Olympics drew a flood of criticism.

Hina Hayata won the bronze medal in tears with her pride of being a queen.

Toshihiko Seko Names Honami Maeda as Gold Medal Contender for Paris Olympics Women’s Marathon

Gymnastics Officials Respond to Fans’ Concerns About Women’s Team Uniforms

Japan’s Volleyball Ace Couple Nishida and Koga Showcase Their Union at Paris Olympics

IOC Official Outraged by Malicious Rumors Targeting Imane Kerif Labeled as Former Man

Rui Hachimura’s Special Treatment at Paris Olympics Confounds Officials

Natsumi Tsunoda Wins Gold as Predicted and Considers Moving to Mixed Martial Arts

The True Value of the ‘Big Five’ Thriving in the Midsummer Koshien

Girls’ Keirin Anime Boosts Popularity as Top Athletes Discuss the Charm of Stunning Battles

Wajima High School Baseball Team Aims to Practice on Their Own Field Again After Noto Peninsula Earthquake Damage

Another One Team″ of Shiro Tanaka, former national rugby team member: “If it weren’t for my wife, I would have quit much earlier”.