 Kyodo News

 Pro Baseball Emergency Report: Part 2

 The Yomiuri Giants, led by manager Shinnosuke Abe, went into this season with the largest pitching reinforcements in the history of the team. However, the Giants were unable to catch the Hanshin Tigers, finishing in third place in the league with a 15-game lead. The difference between the Giants and the Hanshin was also evident in their pitching staff.

Ace Shoyuki Togo&#8217;s poor performance and the burden on relievers&#8230; &#8220;Abe Giants&#8221; pitching staff also saw a &#8220;fatal difference with Hanshin&#8221;.

 Pro Baseball Emergency Report Part 1

 The Yomiuri Giants, led by manager Shinnosuke Abe, went into this season with a 7 billion-yen reinforcement package, the largest in the team's history. However, the Giants finished in third place in the league, about 15 games behind the Hanshin Tigers. What was the reason for the gap between the two teams?

Why were the &#8220;Abe Giants&#8221; so weak? Fatal Weaknesses of the Leading Contenders for the Championship

 Jockey Yuichi Kitamura has decided to challenge Chronodunor for this year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. We look back on his enthusiasm and his life as a jockey!

Calm and Confident — Yuichi Kitamura Faces the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Without Fear

 Miko Ryokai (sports writer)

 Afro (2nd photo)

 Local interview with a prospective star in Germany. She talks about her comfortable distance from her father, her favorite pastime of sauna, and even her views on love!

 Tanigawa Moeko has grown up to be a star volleyball player that the world is now paying attention to. After graduating from high school, she moved to Japan to play for Bayern Munich, a prestigious club in Germany, from January of this year. FRIDAY went to interview her there ......

【Exclusive Interview】Momoko Tanigawa, 20: The Nadeshiko Japan Star Who Always Calls Her Dad Before Every Game

 Kyodo News Agency Jiji Press

 Richard and Masato Akihiro were traded between Softbank and the Giants in May. As of now, there is a clear difference between the two. Richard is hitting double-digit homers for the first time, while Akihiro is struggling in the second base. The former No. 4 of the Giants gives a convincing explanation of the difference between the two!

Power or Consistency? Ex-Giants Star Breaks Down Richard and Akihiro’s Contrasting Fates

 AFLO

 Despite narrowly missing out on the title of homerun king, he hit 55 homers, the most in his career.

 On September 29, Shohei Ohtani hit a career-high 55 home runs in the final game of the regular season. Although he narrowly missed out on the title of homerun king, sportswriters say that "Otani was not looking for an individual title.

Ohtani Eyes MLB Glory Again, Full Speed Ahead into the Postseason

 Yuta Tabuse, 44, is still active with the Utsunomiya Brexit of the Basketball B-League at the age of 44. We interview him as he looks back on his basketball career!

Still Chasing the Dream: Yuta Tabuse on His NBA Ambition

 Yuji Yanagawa (non-fiction writer)

 Fumio Kuroda

 Part 1: An exclusive interview with the "super high school class ace" who took the Koshien Stadium by storm this summer!

 We have exclusive interviews with two "super high school level aces", Okinawa Shogaku's Ryojo Sueyoshi and Kentai Takasaki's Gen Ishigaki, who have been exciting this summer at the Koshien.

Proving My Belief in Action — Ryojo Sueyoshi of Okinawa Shogaku on the Mindset for Competing on the World Stage

 Yuji Yanagawa (nonfiction writer)

 Part 2: "Two Super High School Aces" who Thrilled the Koshien Tournament this Summer

 We have exclusive interviews with two "super high school level aces," Ryojojo Sueyoshi of Okinawa Shogaku and Gen Ishigaki of Kentucky University Takasaki, who have been exciting the Koshien Stadium this summer. What is his vision for the future?

All-Out at the World Cup — Genki Ishigaki of Kendai Takasaki Reflects on the Global Challenge

 Kei Kato

 On October 5, he and his beloved horse, Crois du Nord, headed for the Longchamp racecourse in Paris!

 Yuichi Kitamura is finally going to challenge for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the most prestigious race in the world of horse racing, on his beloved horse, Croix du Nord. This June, Kitamura won on a stage that many jockeys dream of, but after a long rehabilitation process, he finally arrived at the glorious stage of the Arc de Triomphe.

Derby Jockey Yuichi Kitamura Rides Again — The Miracle Comeback After a Devastating Injury

 Miko Ryokai (Sports Writer)

 Local interview with a potential star of Bayern Munich of the German First Division.

 Moeko Tanigawa has grown up to become a star volanteur who is now the focus of the world's attention. After graduating from high school, she moved to Japan to play for Bayern Munich, a prestigious German club, from January of this year. FRIDAY went to interview her there ......

The Midfielder the World Is Watching — Momoko Tanikawa Reflects on the Moment That Shaped Her

 Hiroyuki Matsu

 Special Interview with a basketball legend: Japan's first NBA player is still active at the age of 44 and the oldest captain

 Yuta Tagase, a basketball legend who has attracted attention since his high school days and became the first Japanese NBA player, is still active at the age of 44 and is the oldest captain of the Utsunomiya Brexit team. We take a look back at the life of the "small giant" and his struggles.

Never Too Late: Yuta Tabuse, Japan’s First NBA Player, Reflects on Life and Career at 44

 AFRO

 The three-way battle between Fortius, Loco Solare, and SC Karuizawa Club was settled.

 The goddess on the ice smiled on the challenger at the end. The "Japan Curling Women's National Team Championship" was held, and Fortius, longtime rivals of champion Rocco Solare, won the right to challenge for the first Olympics. Fujisawa's eyes were filled with tears in defeat. ......

Japan’s Women’s Curling Team Finalized: Sayaka Yoshimura Leads the Way After Satsuki Fujisawa

 Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers broke his own team record by picking out his 97th walk of the season against the Rockies on September 9 (Japan time). Experts believe that Ohtani's "evolution of his pitch selection" led to the record-breaking performance.

Shohei Ohtani: Soon to break the team record for the first time in half a century! A thorough analysis of Shohei Ohtani&#8217;s superhuman pitch selection skills.

 Sota Shima

 Ako, who lives in Tokyo, said with a sad face, "I had an affair with someone without knowing it, and when I got pregnant, he asked me to abort the pregnancy..." She says that she and Yakult's promising right-handed pitcher, Yuto Kanegubo, are having a "pregnancy trouble.

Yakult’s Promising Pitcher Exposed: Secret Family Life and Turmoil Over Mistress’s PregnancyYakult’s Promising Pitcher Exposed: Secret Family Life and Turmoil Over Mistress’s Pregnancy

 Futoshi Kojima is a former jockey and trainer who rode like the wind in the middle of the horse racing boom of the Showa period. Now he talks about the untold story behind horse racing while dealing with stage 4 cancer!

Two-Time Derby Champion Futoshi Kojima Reflects on His Racing Career While Battling Stage 4 Cancer

 Yakult's promising right-handed pitcher, Yuto Kanegubo (25), was found to be in a "pregnancy trouble" with an adulterous partner. He was made to have an affair with her without her knowledge, and when she became pregnant, she asked him to abort the pregnancy..." Ms. A. told the whole story.

Yakult Rising Star Involved in Controversial Pregnancy Matter with Partner

 In addition to the sweeper, a new weapon has appeared!

 Shohei Otani, who has made a complete comeback as a two-sport athlete, has been experiencing an "unusual" change in his pitching. Former major leaguer and baseball commentator Keiichi Yabu talks about his new magic pitch, the "Rainbow Curve," which can break up into large, fast, and slow pitches.

Shohei Otani: The Power of the New Magic Pitch, &#8220;Rainbow Curve&#8221; Finally coming into his own as a pitcher!

 Kei Kato (3rd photo)

 The number one team defense ratio of the 12 teams, and almost complete domination of the major batting categories.

 Under the leadership of manager Fujikawa, the Hanshin nine became a ball of fire, and ran across the finish line in the fastest time in the history of professional baseball. Some are concerned about the premature victory, but a source close to the team assures that "Fujikawa's Hanshin's march will never stop," and that the golden era is "just beginning.

Beyond the Championship—The Explosive Managing Style Driving Hanshin’s Greatest TeamBeyond the Championship—The Explosive Managing Style Driving Hanshin’s Greatest Team

 Shinsuke Sakai

 Hiroyuki Komatsu

 Do you remember the horse that once made all of Japan go wild as the "star of the losing team"? In 2004, he set an unprecedented (?) record of 113 consecutive defeats in Kochi horse racing. He set an unprecedented (?) record of 113 consecutive defeats at Kochi Horse Race in 2004, and became a national idol because of his "weakness.

[Exclusive] Farewell Haru Urara: The Star of 113 Consecutive Losses Passes Away

 Reuters/Afro

 Akinori Sasaki of the Dodgers is in a tight spot. Even in 3A, where he has been making adjustments, he has gone 0-2 with a 7 point average. His velocity and control have deteriorated. At this rate, there is no hope for him to return to the majors. A former major league pitcher points out that the future looks grim.

Former MLB Pitcher Flags Roki Sasaki’s 7.00 Triple-A ERA as Warning Sign

 Tsuyoshi Shinjo, 53, the manager of Nippon Ham, is in a dead heat with Softbank for the first league championship since 2016.

Nippon-Ham’s Shinjo Sparks Buzz with Quirky Pennant Race Comment

 Lotte is 26 games behind Pacific League leader Softbank......, and manager Rito Yoshii, 60, who led the team for three years from 2023, is now said to be scrambling to find a successor.

Lotte New Manager Candidate — Coach Tomohiro Kuroki Rapidly Rises, Rumors of Father–Daughter Set Plan

 Courtesy of WTT

 Best 16 at WTT Europe Smash

 Hina Hayata was completely defeated at the WTT Europe Smash and disappeared in the last 16. Her left arm, injured in Paris, is taped. Table tennis columnist Ito points out the changes in Hayata due to the injury.

Sports

Ace Shoyuki Togo’s poor performance and the burden on relievers… “Abe Giants” pitching staff also saw a “fatal difference with Hanshin”.

Why were the “Abe Giants” so weak? Fatal Weaknesses of the Leading Contenders for the Championship