 Aflo

 Miho Takagi, the 1000m women's speed skater, was on the verge of her second consecutive victory since the Beijing Olympics. However, she lost to Jutta Leerdam of the Netherlands and won the bronze medal. Speaking of the new queen, Leerdam is ......

Miho Takagi’s Winning Streak Ends — Yutta Råldam Wows with Her Ice Grace

 Kyodo News (2nd photo)

 The World Cup in North and Central America is only four months away. With Moriyasu Japan being called the "strongest team in history," expectations are high for the team to change the course of Japanese soccer history, but what does Shinji Kagawa, who has long carried the ace number, think?

From Team Leaders to Trusted Allies — Kagawa Shares Expectations for Japan at the Upcoming World Cup

 Hiroyuki Komatsu

 The WBC is about to start. The members of the Samurai Japan team have been announced. Here are some of the frustrations and anguish that the WBC Samurai Warriors have shared with this magazine.

“Time to Show Them!” — WBC Stars Reveal Their Battles Off the Field

 Hiroyuki Komatsu Kyodo News Yohei Nagata/Afro Sports Reuters/Afro

 Milan Cortina Olympics Special Report--The "Athletes of the Sun" Shine in the World of White and Silver!

 She may not have the greatest moves, but she is the best figure skater in the world, and the source of her strength is.... She announced her retirement, and this Olympics was her last challenge. Will she be able to become the queen of all major competitions and finish her career with a gold medal at the Olympics?

Kaori Sakamoto Completes the Picture with Stunning Landings on Ice

 In this issue of Playback, we take a look back at what we reported 10, 20, and 30 years ago. This time, we will look back at an interview with Nanako Fujita just after she passed her jockey's license in February 2004. We will introduce her fresh and new face just before her debut.

[Playback 2016] Nanako Fujita’s Shy Pre-Debut Look—Her First Candid Moment

 Kei Kato

 --Toshitaka Sakurai, a former Giant Draft pick, is now struggling to win a championship at the Tokyo Dome!

 Toshitaka Sakurai, the Giants' first-round draft pick, retired from the game and became a scout. A year later, however, his strong desire to be on the mound led him to join the Miki House baseball team. He is now an ace in the game and has made a triumphant return to the Tokyo Dome.

Back Where He Belongs — Toshiki Sakurai’s Fight for Another Chance on the Mound

 AFLO

 At the Dodgerfest fan appreciation event held on February 1 (Japan time), tension was suddenly palpable. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced that Shohei Ohtani would not pitch in the WBC. But what about him?

Shohei Ohtani Shines at Dodgers Fan Event — Behind the Smile, a Fierce WBC Ambition

 Hiroyuki Komatsu, Kyodo News, Yohei Nagata/Afro Sports Reuters/Afro

 Milan Cortina Olympics Special -- Athletes of the Japanese flag shine in the world of silverware

 Four years ago in the winter, "Fortius", which had hit rock bottom, finally made it to the Olympic stage for the first time. At one point, the team had no sponsors, and the members had to scrape by with their savings to fund their activities.

From Struggle to Spotlight — Fortius Eyes First Medal at the Big Stage

 Kyodo News

 The "last Samurai" to participate in the WBC, which opens on March 5, has finally been selected. This means that Hiroto Saiki (27) of the Hanshin team will not be selected.

“Spare Me as the Fifth!” — Hiroto Saiki Left Off WBC Roster, Hanshin’s Hidden Strategy Revealed

 Milan Cortina Olympics Special -- "Athletes of the Japanese flag" shine in a world of white and silver

 Chika Takeuchi says she wants to retire after winning her long-cherished gold medal... Ayumu Hirano, who stood on the podium for 3 consecutive events, is aiming for consecutive gold medals following Beijing... Japan's youngest female medalist, Kokan Murase, will challenge her second Olympics to change her bronze in Beijing to gold.

The Last Olympics for the Most Number of Women to Compete&#8230;Snowboarding Women&#8217;s Chika Takeuchi Says, &#8220;That&#8217;s Why I Have a Chance&#8221;.

 Hiroyuki Komatsu Kyodo News

 Milan Cortina Olympics Special -- Athletes of the Japanese flag shine in the white and silver world!

 Sara Takanashi (Women's Ski Jumping) will compete in her 4th consecutive Olympics since Sochi '14. She has been away from winning since Oslo in March '22, but this season she is showing signs of a comeback!

Ski Jumping] Sara Takanashi: &#8220;I finally got my kick in the last few races!

 Michio Kurose

 The veteran eight-time Olympian from Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo talks a great deal about the winter sports festival that opened on February 6.

 Ski jumper Noriaki Kasai, who has competed in eight Olympics, looks back on his failures and successes at the Winter Olympics. He also talks about the success of the Japanese athletes competing in this year's event, and gives his drumbeat. The legend says he will continue to be active even after he turns 60.

Legend Noriaki Kasai 《Special Interview》&#8221;Medals in All Jumping Events!

 Milan Cortina Olympics -- Athletes of the "Rising Sun" Shine in the World of White and Silver

 Nozomi Maruyama, a female ski jumper, is a hard worker. She was expected to be a candidate for the national team at the Beijing Olympics, but she fell heavily at the All-Japan Championships in October 2009. The serious injury forced her to undergo nine months of rehabilitation. However, she has made a great leap forward this season, winning six World Cups.

Ski Jumping] Nozomi Maruyama, back from a serious injury of ligament damage after a hard fall! A &#8220;hard worker&#8221; takes on the challenge of the Milano Olympics!

 Don't miss the dynamic performance of the medal contenders! Figure Skating, Speed Skating, Curling, Ski Jumping, Snowboarding... We introduce all the "Athletes of the Day" who are the focus of the Milan Cortina Olympics!

Japan’s Pride on Ice and Snow—Special Feature on the Milan-Cortina Olympics

 A baseball team official reveals the inside story of his "abstinence

 On January 27, the Hiroshima Prefectural Police arrested Ryutaro Hatsuki, 25, a professional baseball player from Hiroshima, on suspicion of violating the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act. Behind the incident, which sent shockwaves through the baseball world, the suspect was said to be suffering from "isolation within the team.

Disowned and Isolated—The Story Behind Hazuki’s Zombie Cigarette Arrest

 Milan Cortina Olympics Special -- Athletes of the Japanese flag shine in the world of silverware!

 Speed skater Miho Takagi is aiming for an unprecedented total of 11 Olympic medals at this year's games. Three of the 23 members of the Japanese women's ice hockey team are sisters. With their teamwork, they may make it to the top three in the world.

Miho Takagi Aims for Historic 11th Career Medal &#038; Women’s Ice Hockey Targets Upset Through Teamwork

 The best part of watching a baseball game is not only the game itself. Beer vendors at the stadiums talk about the "reality" of watching a baseball game.

Beer Vendors at Baseball Games Reveal the Unfiltered Reality Behind Hallway Pick-Ups and Drinking with Players

 Takahiro Kagawa

 Ukrainian-born ozeki Aoanishiki won his first sumo tournament in the autumn of the first tournament of the season. He was the first new ozeki-ranked wrestler to win two consecutive tournaments in 89 years, since Futabayama, the great yokozuna of the Showa period.

Sleepless Nights, Back-to-Back Victories—New Ōzeki Aoishōkin Eyes Record-Breaking Yokozuna

 Yuji Yanagawa (nonfiction writer)

 After 26 years of active career, he cut off his long collar and devoted himself to management...

 After 26 years of active career, Hiroshi Tanahashi has cut off his long collar and is concentrating on being a manager as president of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Tanahashi, who has made pro wrestling a genre that can be enjoyed by the whole family, is enthusiastic: "I will be the first president in 100 years! he says enthusiastically.

“100-Year President” Ambition—Tanahashi Shares His Vision for New Japan Pro-Wrestling

 Aoyama Gakuin University's No. 1 draft pick duo: "We will throw away the title of No. 1 in Japan and cling to the professional world!

 Aoyama Gakuin University's ace right fielder Seiki Nakanishi was drafted first by the Chunichi Dragons, and infielder Koichiro Oda was drafted first by Yokohama DeNA! The DRA1 duo said, "We will throw away the title of No. 1 in Japan and cling to the professional world! and talk about their enthusiasm and goals for their first year.

Seiki Nakanishi and Koichiro Oda on Making the Leap to Professional Baseball

 In mid-January, Nana Suganuma, a popular female golfer, took on an unusual challenge: she gave a stunning performance as an "idol," attracting 500 fans. Here is a report on the live performance.

She also performed her debut song! Popular golfer Nana Suganuma shows off her impressive performance in the &#8220;Idol Challenge

 Shinsuke Sakai

 Forever Young has successfully won the title of "world's best" in dirt horse racing. In fact, however, there is a possibility that he could win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in France, the world's most prestigious turf race. The reason for this, according to Maki Okada, a leading figure in the world of horse racing, can be found at .......

Veteran Insider Explains Why Forever Young Could Conquer the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

 The possibility that Hanshin infielder Teruaki Sato, 26, may try out for Major League Baseball in the U.S. as early as this offseason has surfaced, but his contract with the team remains undecided before the team's camp begins on February 1. We take a closer look at the inside story.

Teruaki Sato Sticks to Hardline Position as Clash With Hanshin Becomes Irreversible

 Last offseason, Seibu pitcher Mitsunari Takahashi was approved to try out for the Major League Baseball via the posting process, but he ultimately chose to remain with the team this year. Why did he stay, despite offers from three major league teams?

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