 Kyodo News

 Masaya Yano, 25, of the Hiroshima baseball team, is on the verge of securing a regular spot at shortstop this season thanks to his wide defensive range and sure-handed hitting. Before a game, Yano was said to have been in a "scuffle" with a player from the Yakult baseball team. What in the world was going on? ......

Yakult Player Calls Out Carp&#8217;s Yelling General Masaya Yano in Shocking Encounter

 Shinji Tokari

 Reika Usui, a professional women's golfer, won for the first time in late March. Born in 1998, Usui is said to be a member of the "Golden Generation," the same age as Hinako Shibuno and Erika Hara. Although she bloomed later than her peers, who were all excellent players, there were some unknown hardships that she had to endure.

Reika Usui&#8217;s Triumph Reignites Dreams and Signs of Victory

 AFLO Kyodo News

 World Championships gold medal winning pair unveils their new performance for the first time!

 The duet Mashiro Yasunaga and Moe Higa won the gold medal at the 2011 World Swimming Championships. On April 7, they appeared at an open practice session for the Japanese national team in preparation for the World Cup in May, which will also serve as a test event for the Paris Olympics. They gave a graceful performance.

Artistic Swimming Duo Mashiro Yasunaga and Moe Higa Take Paris by Storm!

 The pitching staff, which had been in a state of "collapse," has been revitalized, and the use of young pitchers has been successful!

 The Giants, who have been in the "B" class for two consecutive years, had a strong April as they battled for the top spot! The pitching staff, which had been in a state of "collapse," has rallied, and the use of young pitchers has been successful! Is something different about this year's Giants? Experts say, are this year's "Abe Giants" really strong?

Special Read: Is This Year&#8217;s Abe Giants Truly Formidable?

 Etsuko Motokawa

 For 28 years since the "Miracle of Miami" at the '96 Atlanta Olympics, where the national team scored a historic victory over Brazil, Japan has qualified for seven consecutive Olympics. Japan finished in fourth place in London in 2012 and in Tokyo in 2009, and is on the verge of winning a medal.

Four Hurdles Hindering Kubo Takefusa&#8217;s Inclusion in the Japanese National Soccer Team for the Paris Olympics

 The funeral service for former sumo grand champion Taro Akebono, who passed away at the age of 54, was held at a funeral hall in Tokyo on April 14. He had a fierce training session with former Takanohana, his first sumo ringmate, during his active career, but after his retirement, they had an unexpected friendship.

Takanohana Reflects on Intense Training Sessions and Post-Retirement Bond with Akebono

 Kyodo News AFLO

 From zero home runs in his first 40 at-bats to "the impact of 3 hits in 5 games", he is now poised for mass production...

 Perhaps due to the Ippei Mizuhara incident, Otani's form had not been good from the start of the season. However, on April 4, he hit an oversized No. 1 shot against the Giants, followed by back-to-back hits in the next game. Now, he is ready to start producing more of them!

Shohei Ohtani Sets Sights on Consecutive Home Run King Title, Completes 70 Home Run Swing with Farewell to Ichihira

 Daichi Hadano

 Masama Uno, who unexpectedly sank to 4th place at the World Championships, spoke in Montreal about his struggles to maintain motivation. In Montreal, he spoke of his complicated feelings as he struggled to maintain his motivation.

Shoma Uno Reveals His &#8216;Burnout&#8217; in Canada and His &#8216;Concerned Future&#8217; &#8211; &#8220;I Couldn&#8217;t Make the Decision to Quit

 Masayoshi Katayama (Journalist)

 Hiroyuki Komatsu

 After a life as a businessman, Aoyagi, who has zero coaching experience, has been leading the baseball team since its founding in 2002.

 This spring, Takasaki University of Health and Welfare High School won the high school baseball tournament for the first time. The victory came sooner than we expected," said Aoyagi. Aoyagi says, "The victory came sooner than we expected. Aoyagi, who has zero coaching experience, is a unique name. We will introduce his life and unique coaching methods in his own words.

Celebrating the first Koshien victory! Hirofumi Aoyagi, Manager of Kentai Takasaki, reveals his coaching methods: &#8220;I will not send out players who lack humility.

 Ippei Mizuhara, 39, was fired by the Dodgers after the first game of the MLB Opening Series in Korea on March 20 for stealing a huge sum of money from the account of Shohei Otani, 29. There has been a bit of a stir over his replacement.

A Flood of Interpreter Pitches Emerged, All Aiming to Capitalize on Financial Opportunities with Ohtani!

 Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, 32, exercised the opt-out clause in the minor league contract he signed with the U.S. Major League Baseball Giants and chose to return to Japanese baseball. He is already in negotiations with several NPB teams.

Tsutsugo Acquisition: Show or Substance? DeNA&#8217;s Doubts vs. Convincing Negotiations

 Ryu Kanzaki

 In this issue of Playback, we look back at what we were reporting 10, 20, and 30 years ago. This time, just before the spring Senbatsu in 2004, we reported closely on Darvish, who was a student at Tohoku High School at the time. What did he "ask" of this magazine with a straight face?

Before the Spring Koshien Tournament, Tohoku High School&#8217;s Captain Yu Darvish Faced Rumors of Multiple Romantic Relationships

 Hanshin Draft No. 1 pitcher Kaisho Shimomura, 22, underwent Tommy John surgery to reconstruct the medial collateral ligament of his right elbow and was released from the hospital on April 11, the team announced. The Tigers were shocked.

Hanshin&#8217;s First-Round Pick Shimomura Undergoes Tommy John Surgery: Manager Okada Expresses Frustration

 MHN Sports KLPGA

 The professional golf tour is now underway across the sea. The lineup ranges from last season's prize money queen to promising newcomers who boast popularity on par with idols!

 The brilliant competition among "twinkly-white" golfers has begun even on the other side of the ocean. The "PR models" who are the face of women's golf in Korea are the ones who are the focus of fans' attention. Their bright dresses were revealed to the public.

Korean Women Golfers Mastering the Art of Elegance and Skill as Public Relations Models in Tight Wear

 Kyodo News (2nd photo)

 A new revelation has come to light concerning the failure of the Hokkaido Association of Athletics Federations (HAAF) to pay 7,352,500 yen in athlete registration fees to the Japan Association of Athletics Federations (JAAF) for the 2010 fiscal year. A document from the board of directors' meeting, obtained independently, contains shocking details.

Hokkaido Athletics Association&#8217;s Unpaid Dues and Embezzlement Scandal

 Takashi Hotta, Shuichi Masuda, Yutaka Asai, Shoichiro Tsuboi, Akifumi Yoshida, Shinya Inui, Takashi Hashimoto

 On April 11, it was learned that former yokozuna Taro Akebono passed away due to heart failure. Mr. Mitsuru Yaku once heard from Akebono, "I really wanted to stay in the Sumo Association... Yaku Mitsuru once heard Akebono say, "I really wanted to stay in the association. He looks back on Akebono's life.

Akebono Taro: From Yokozuna to Martial Artist, Remembering a Gentleman Who Wanted to Stay

 Myung-Woo Kim

 MHN Sports

 The Korean women's golf scene has just started its domestic season. There was Jung Ji-yu, a popular professional who struggled on the Japan Tour last season. In her return match in Korea, she showed off her brilliant play. Here is a look back at her beautiful play.

Golfer Jung Ji Yu Returns to South Korea, Showcasing Beautiful Techniques and Smiles in Mini-Skirt Attire!

 Taguchi Yuji

 The 37-year-old continues to evolve in his 13th season in the Majors, the longest of any Japanese pitcher.

 Yu Darvish of the Padres is entering his 13th season in the majors, the longest of any Japanese pitcher. An expert in motion analysis explains the "Tornado Pitching Method," which he has been experimenting with since he was in his 30s.

Yu Darvish, Padres, 200 Wins in Japan and the U.S. by &#8220;Tornado Pitching Method by Trial and Error&#8221;!

 The hot competition among women golfers has begun even across the ocean. Yoo Hyun-joo, the "sexy queen" of Korean golf, appeared in the opening round, her beautiful shot showing no sign of slowing down even at the age of 30.

Ageless Elegance on the Fairway: Yoo Hyun-joo Shines in Korean Women&#8217;s Golf Season Opener

 AP/Afro

 Tomohiro Anraku and Bauer, who have been in trouble for allegedly harassing a junior and assaulting a woman, are playing for the same team in Mexico. The two played for the same team in Mexico, and the turmoil is expected to make it tough for them to return to the Japanese baseball world. ...... The following is a report on the reality of their unexpected promotion to the majors.

Sudden Major League Promotion for Anraku and Bauer Amid Bullying and Assault Allegations Against Junior Players

 Masama Uno, the men's figure skater, missed his third consecutive World Championships. We asked commentator Akiko Suzuki, who has competed in the Olympics twice, about the reasons and her predictions for the future.

Akiko Suzuki Unveils Reasons for Shoma Uno&#8217;s World Championships Performance Dip and Future Plans

 The move of the Miyagino stable to the Isekehama stable was completed. Some people believe that the severe punishment of Miyagino Oyakata, who was removed from his post as master and even considered having his stable shut down, was "bullying," but it is said that the executive board of the Japan Sumo Association is impatient.


The Japan Sumo Association&#8217;s Surprising Impatience in Addressing the Hakuho Bullying Incident

 Shinji Hasuo (Okiyama suspect)

 At the "BD 11.5" mini-event held on March 30, one of the main attractions of the event was cancelled. Fans voiced their dissatisfaction. A follow-up investigation into the background of the cancellation revealed inexplicable media restrictions on the part of the event's management.

Unexplainable media restrictions&#8221; behind the &#8220;cancellation&#8221; of the high-profile Breaking Down showdown.

 Kei Kato

 Former Hakuho and Miyagino Oyakata, who was demoted two ranks for assaulting an apprentice. Asahiwasen, a former Hakuho wrestler, is the one who objects to the association's harsh punishment, which is said to be "bullying of Hakuho." Hakuho's older brother speaks out against the "empire" that has become the Sumo Association.

The &#8220;Sumo Association is the Second Johnny&#8217;s&#8221;: Hakuho&#8217;s Brother&#8217;s Criticism of the Kakukai Shaken by the Miyagino-Yakudan Riots

Sports

Yakult Player Calls Out Carp’s Yelling General Masaya Yano in Shocking Encounter

Reika Usui’s Triumph Reignites Dreams and Signs of Victory

Artistic Swimming Duo Mashiro Yasunaga and Moe Higa Take Paris by Storm!

Special Read: Is This Year’s Abe Giants Truly Formidable?

Four Hurdles Hindering Kubo Takefusa’s Inclusion in the Japanese National Soccer Team for the Paris Olympics

Takanohana Reflects on Intense Training Sessions and Post-Retirement Bond with Akebono

Shohei Ohtani Sets Sights on Consecutive Home Run King Title, Completes 70 Home Run Swing with Farewell to Ichihira

Shoma Uno Reveals His ‘Burnout’ in Canada and His ‘Concerned Future’ – “I Couldn’t Make the Decision to Quit

Celebrating the first Koshien victory! Hirofumi Aoyagi, Manager of Kentai Takasaki, reveals his coaching methods: “I will not send out players who lack humility.

A Flood of Interpreter Pitches Emerged, All Aiming to Capitalize on Financial Opportunities with Ohtani!

Tsutsugo Acquisition: Show or Substance? DeNA’s Doubts vs. Convincing Negotiations

Before the Spring Koshien Tournament, Tohoku High School’s Captain Yu Darvish Faced Rumors of Multiple Romantic Relationships

Hanshin’s First-Round Pick Shimomura Undergoes Tommy John Surgery: Manager Okada Expresses Frustration

Korean Women Golfers Mastering the Art of Elegance and Skill as Public Relations Models in Tight Wear

Hokkaido Athletics Association’s Unpaid Dues and Embezzlement Scandal

Akebono Taro: From Yokozuna to Martial Artist, Remembering a Gentleman Who Wanted to Stay

Golfer Jung Ji Yu Returns to South Korea, Showcasing Beautiful Techniques and Smiles in Mini-Skirt Attire!

Yu Darvish, Padres, 200 Wins in Japan and the U.S. by “Tornado Pitching Method by Trial and Error”!

Ageless Elegance on the Fairway: Yoo Hyun-joo Shines in Korean Women’s Golf Season Opener

Sudden Major League Promotion for Anraku and Bauer Amid Bullying and Assault Allegations Against Junior Players

Akiko Suzuki Unveils Reasons for Shoma Uno’s World Championships Performance Dip and Future Plans

The Japan Sumo Association’s Surprising Impatience in Addressing the Hakuho Bullying Incident

Unexplainable media restrictions” behind the “cancellation” of the high-profile Breaking Down showdown.

The “Sumo Association is the Second Johnny’s”: Hakuho’s Brother’s Criticism of the Kakukai Shaken by the Miyagino-Yakudan Riots