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 The Queen, who has entrusted the future of Japanese Figure to the next generation, wiped away her tears, and left the rink with her usual smile. Chiba, Nakai, or perhaps - who will inherit Sakamoto's strong and graceful performance?

 Kaori SAKAMOTO retired from the World Figure Championships after winning her 4th World Figure Championships, the most by a Japanese skater. Silver medalist Momone Chiba and Milan Olympics bronze medalist Ami Nakai are the next-generation aces. Mao Shimada, who will switch to senior next season, is also preparing for a possible sweep of the Olympic podium.

Japan&#8217;s Women’s Figure Skating Enters a New Golden Era Led by Rising Stars

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 Rookie Murakami has hit in three straight games, Okamoto has hit his first home run, and Suzuki, Yoshida, Kanno, and Kikuchi have all played in the WBC.

 Rating the expectations of 13 Samurai Major Leaguers.......first time in history for the Dodgers! A Japanese pitcher was entrusted with the starting mound for three consecutive games. And this year, more Samurai Major Leaguers other than the three Dodgers are expected to make TV headlines.

Samurai MLB 13 Ranked SS to D Bold Expectation Scale

 Kenshi Sugitani, 35, a Nippon Ham alumnus who now works as a YouTube star, has seen his reputation as a reporter "explode. Why is this?

Reporter Kenshi Sugitani&#8217;s reputation &#8220;explodes&#8221;&#8230; &#8220;Japan&#8217;s most humble baseball evangelist&#8221; is a junior powerhouse.

 The Yakult baseball team, which finished in last place last year, is doing well. They have won five straight games to open the season, and as of April 9, they are in first place in the Central League. The shining star is manager Takahiro Ikeyama, who has been taking charge of the Yakult team in irregular fashion. Former Yakult No. 4 and close ally of manager Ikeyama explains the "Art of War of the Underdog.

The reason for Yakult&#8217;s great performance is the &#8220;Art of War for the Weak&#8221;, says Ikeyama&#8217;s ally.

 Daisuke Iwasaki

 Less than a month before the clash between Naoya Inoue and Jyunjin Nakatani, the fight of the century is drawing the interest of politicians who are engaged in daily power struggles. Here are the predictions of former professional boxers, members of the Boxing Congress, and 30 years of experience in watching fights!

Akama Jiro, Kato Katsunobu, Mihara Junko, and Tanabe Masayo

 Shinsuke Sakai

 Forever Young is the "World's Strongest Dirt Horse. In Japan and Saudi Arabia, he has beaten the world's best horses, but for some reason, he has not been able to win in Dubai. This time, he should have been in perfect physical condition, but why couldn't he win? Let us find out the reason for his defeat.

So Close in Second Place — The Dubai Dirt and Final-Stretch Trap That Swallowed Japan’s World’s Strongest Horse, Forever Young

 Hiroyuki Komatsu (1st photo)

 A Legend Behind 60 Years of Nippon Broadcasting System's Show-Up Nightly Programming

 Tsunoki Miyata, a veteran of the Nippon Broadcasting System, Inc. show "Nippon Broadcasting System, Inc. He is still a legend today, continuing to provide live broadcasts as Japan's first "play-by-play announcer in his 80s.

80-Year-Old Veteran Broadcaster Miyata Tsuneki Recounts Legendary Players and Iconic Games That Defined an Era

 A veteran announcer tells his secret story (Part 2)... The '85 Hanshin League championship game between Ichiro and Daisuke Matsuzaka, the "best game ever" for a play-by-play announcer

 Tsunoki Miyata not only broadcasted the Giants' games, but he was also present at the moment of the Hanshin League championship in 1985. He even traveled across the ocean to report the game. The best game he ever played was the game between the Giants and Yakult on September 4, 2009.

Veteran Baseball Voice Miyata Tsunoki, 80s, Still Finds Excitement in Every Broadcast

 Hiroyuki Komatsu

 There are more than 20 routines that I have to do every day" -- Kenta Maeda is not just looking for a good luck!

 Kenta Maeda, who has won 68 games in the Majors and returned to Japanese baseball after an 11-year absence, is famous for his "Maeken Gymnastics" and other routines, but he is more than just a testament to his success. It all started in his second year as a professional baseball player in Hiroshima, against Nippon Ham in June 2008.

Maeda Kenta Returns to Japan After 11 Years with 20+ Routines and a 20% Margin Mindset

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 Part 2

 An analysis company conducted an independent survey on the "degree of attraction by generation" to world sporting events such as the WBC and the Olympics!

Rugby and Olympic Judo Attract Peak Working Age Fans as Sports World Tournament Engagement Rankings by Generation Revealed

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 Part 1

 An analysis company conducted an independent survey on the "degree of nail-biting by generation" for world sporting championships such as the WBC and the Olympics.

Why the WBC Ranks Low in Surprise Generation-Based Engagement Rankings of Global Sports Tournaments

 Shocking 3-game debut in a row, attributed to a minor change in hitting form

 In his first major league game on March 27, Munetaka Murakami of the White Sox drowned out the concerns of fans in Japan and the United States with his ability. The reason for his success was a minor change in his hitting form that he has been working on in anticipation of his challenge in the Majors.

Munetaka Murakami, White Sox: &#8220;Small Steps&#8221; Seen as A-League Homerun King!

 On March 31, Chonami Yoshida left Loco Solare and will join the professional league in April. She sent a message to the members saying, "Until we reunite at the age of 50, I bid you all a fond farewell. We look back on Yoshida's past heroics with these images.

Chinami Yoshida Announces Departure from Loco Solare Members Show Heartfelt Bonds That May Not Be Seen Until 50-Year Reunion

 Rikako Ikee won the triple crown at the Japan Swimming Championships. However, Rikako Ikee was not satisfied with the result, saying, "I feel like I was defeated by my feelings. However, the results of the body modification she has been working on since last off-season are gradually showing results.

Rikako Ikee Goes All In on Sprinting Wins Triple Crown and Secures Five Straight Titles at Japan Swimming Championships

 Although she narrowly missed the Milano Olympics, she defeated strong opponents one after another in order to get back on the world stage!

 On the world's biggest stage, Mayuki Fujisawa is still a strong competitor! Momori Koana is a newcomer to Rocco Solare, and it seems that Fujisawa has been able to draw more out of her by competing alongside Chinami Yoshida. She herself has also shown mental strength. She has proven her ability at the world level.

Japan National Team Loco Solare Satsuki Fujisawa Shows Grit and Evolution at the World Championships

 Special Report - Part 2

 After the excitement of the WBC has passed, the regular season of professional baseball for the year 2026 has finally begun. This time, FRIDAY took a look at the pennant race using the "sabermetric" method. What are our predictions for the Pacific League standings?

Pro Baseball 2026 Opening Predicted Champions by Sabermetrics Here Are the Top Teams Pacific League Edition

 Special Report Part 1

 After the excitement of the WBC has passed, the regular season of professional baseball in 2026 has finally begun. This time, FRIDAY took a look at the pennant race using the "sabermetric" method. What are our predictions for the Central League standings?

Pro Baseball 2026 Opening Sabermetrics Reveal the Top Contenders Central League Edition

 Izumi Nakagawa

 Shohei Otani and other young athletes of the Z Generation learn from the theory of nurturing young athletes. The latest in mental management and goal-setting, such as the "de-emphasis on guts" that draws out initiative from waiting for instructions, and the "use of data" that links failure to growth, are explained in this must-see for managers.

Clutch Gene Unlocked Why Ohtani Owns the Big Stage

 C2/Yuji Arakawa

 The Major League Baseball season has begun! The "right shoulder down" form has finally been perfected!

 Shohei Ohtani's pitching form is becoming more and more distinctive. The fact that the characteristics of his pitching are becoming apparent is a sign that he is approaching ″perfection″ as a pitcher.

Shohei Ohtani Shows Serious Pitching as He Aims to Dominate Batters This Season

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 An in-depth analysis of the talented and fresh rookies who are aiming for the queen's title

 Who will be this season's heroine? This season's domestic women's golf tour started with the Daikin Orchid Ladies on March 5. We will thoroughly analyze all the players, from the talented ones who are aiming for the queen's title to the fresh rookies! What kind of dramas will be born this year?

Domestic Golf Tour Launches — Which Strong &#038; Cute Heroine Will Rise?

 Shohei Otani, 31, was the face of Samurai Japan in the WBC. Although his team lost in the quarterfinals, Otani, who hit three home runs and was named one of the best nine players in the tournament, showed his outstanding presence off the field as well.

Shohei Ohtani&#8217;s &#8220;Outstanding Star&#8221; at the WBC: &#8220;Even his private SP is sponsored&#8221; and &#8220;Voluntary regulation prohibiting funny faces&#8221;&#8230;

 Somehow, information on player selection and usage was leaked...

 The WBC's quarterfinal elimination was not the only source of concern for Hirokazu Ibata, the manager of the Japan Professional Baseball League. Incredibly, confidential information on the selection of the Samurai Japan team members and the use of players was leaked.

Hirokazu Ibata Struggles with Trust After Suspected Confidential Leaks in Samurai Japan During WBC

 Yuji Yanagawa (nonfiction writer)

 Yuji Yanagawa (Kawamoto, Nakamura, Tokumaru)

 Special Report on the 2026 Senbatsu (Part 2)

 The 98th Sembatsu, which heralds the arrival of spring baseball, will open on March 19. Osaka Toin, a team that missed the spring and summer Koshien tournaments last year, has some new second-year players who are expected to make their breakthrough. One of them is the eldest son of Takeya Nakamura, aka Okawari-kun of the Saitama Seibu.

2026 Senbatsu Rising Future Samurai Stars to Watch Including Osaka Toin Sophomore Duo and Shutoku Ace Left Hander

 Yuji Yanagawa (non-fiction writer)

 Yuji Yanagawa (Akama) AFLO

 Special Report on the 2026 Senbatsu Tournament (Part 1)

 March 19 marks the opening day of the 98th Senbatsu, the tournament that heralds the arrival of spring baseball. Shoki Oda of Yokohama, winner of last year's tournament, and Ryojo Sueyoshi, left arm of Okinawa Shogaku, last summer's champion, will return to the sacred ground, but there are other candidates who could be high draft picks in the future.

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Japan’s Women’s Figure Skating Enters a New Golden Era Led by Rising Stars