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Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 19, 2021

Busting myths: Sumo grapples with persistent urban legends

From exaggerated depictions in popular media to unverified internet rumors, many aspects of the sport and its traditions remain far from understood by the public at large.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 13, 2021

Foreign sumo fans finding ways to make voices heard

When sumo goes through a crisis the voices calling loudest for needed change and the protection of rikishi are often those from abroad.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Mar 31, 2021

Terunofuji redefines legacy with historic return to ozeki rank

The Mongolian, who just two years ago was fighting in sumo's second-lowest division, is now being hyped as the next potential yokozuna after his Spring Basho triumph.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Mar 2, 2021

NFL International executive sees widening path for Japanese players

Globalization is a key component of professional sports leagues around the world and the National Football League is no exception, despite its reputation as a U.S.-centric league, which stems in part from its smaller slate of international players compared with other major North American competitions....
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jan 20, 2021

Shocking concussion incident should be wake-up call for sumo

The indifference shown by referees to the head injury sustained by third-tier wrestler Shonannoumi on Tuesday drew criticism from fans and journalists alike.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Dec 18, 2020

Paris 2024 chief says breakdancing included to reach out to youth

The inclusion of breakdancing at the 2024 Olympics may been surprising but organizers were drawn to the sport's potential to attract a younger fan base and grow the Olympic audience in the internet age, Paris Games chief Tony Estanguet said.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 16, 2020

American rikishi recalls extremely wild times in sumo world

Details on the now 71-year-old's career had been lost to the mists of time until the California native resurfaced in sumo circles online in recent months.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 30, 2020

World Rugby bars transgender women, baffling players

The decision earlier this month came as a shock to transgender players, especially in light of the organization's push for inclusion in the sport.
SUMO
Sep 9, 2020

Sumo would benefit from picking up tips from other sports

There are ways to modernize and copy what is happening in sports worldwide without detracting from what it is that makes sumo special.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Apr 21, 2020

Coronavirus shutdown has exposed 'inequities' of tennis: Billie Jean King

Tennis great Billie Jean King says the financial fallout from the coronavirus shutdown has exposed the unfairness of the sport and that it is important for the top players to lead the cause for change.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Feb 5, 2020

Ban on social media wrong call for sumo's popularity, transparency

Japan's national sport is semiglobalized.
SUMO
Sep 5, 2019

Emperor's Cup up for grabs at Autumn Basho

Since the beginning of 2018, sumo fans have been spoiled for entertainment with one dramatic event after another hitting the sport.
Figure Skating / Heisei Icons,HEISEI ICONS
Apr 28, 2019

Mao Asada: Magnetism and artistry on ice defined an era

Three-time figure skating world champion Mao Asada became one of Japan's most prominent individuals on the international scene during her storied career, while also taking the sport to new heights.
PARALYMPICS
Oct 11, 2018

Japan hopes to spread word about wheelchair rugby in 2020

With Tokyo playing host to the next Paralympic Games in 2020, the members of Japan's wheelchair rugby team, the reigning world champion, know they're in a unique position to promote the fast-paced, hard-hitting sport.
MORE SPORTS
Sep 3, 2018

Canada's national water polo squad forges new bonds during trip to Japan

Half a world away from home, quality competition is a top priority for the Canada men's national water polo team.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League / HOOP SCOOP
May 1, 2018

Debora Zoli blazing a trail for female sports agents with ability, charisma

Building relationships is a vital part of being a successful pro sports agent.
Japan Times
Figure Skating / ICE TIME
Feb 22, 2018

Hamilton, Cousins reflect on Hanyu's brilliance, drawing power

It's not often that you get to chat with a legend in skating.
Japan Times
Figure Skating / ICE TIME
Dec 19, 2017

Nathan Chen credits rival Yuzuru Hanyu for inspiration

With less than two months to go until the Pyeongchang Olympics, American Nathan Chen is finding himself the focus of a lot of attention. And with good reason.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 6, 2017

As more Japanese take up bodybuilding, a veteran chases a championship

Naoki Go carefully positions his feet on the ground, slowly lifts both arms, then shuffles as if preparing to shoulder a huge imaginary weight.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Sep 6, 2017

Japan Rising Star Project aims to maximize nation's young talent

Sometimes, the sport you are playing might not be the right fit for you, and you might have the potential to excel in something else.
JAPAN / GEARING UP FOR THE GAMES
Jan 5, 2017

Advanced tech used by Paralympic athletes could throw perception of disabilities into question

On Dec. 10, some 40 elementary school children showed up for a running workshop at Shin-Toyosu Brillia Running Stadium, a brand new indoor track facility opened the day before in Tokyo's waterfront Toyosu district.
Japan Times
JAPAN / WORLD FORUM ON SPORT AND CULTURE
Oct 19, 2016

Baseball connects Japan, U.S.

Former Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology Hiroshi Hase, sat down for a chat with the Japanese baseball legend Hideki Matsui, who was appointed March 21 as an ambassador for the World Forum on Sport and Culture. The discussion was moderated by Kumi Fujisawa, an advisor to...
Japan Times
Figure Skating / ICE TIME
Sep 23, 2016

Barton cites early instruction as key to Japan's success

ISU announcer Ted Barton has seen it all during his long career in the sport.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Aug 12, 2016

World rugby bosses hail larger-than-life Olympic sevens tournament

World rugby chiefs have declared the sport's reintroduction to the Olympics a success after fans at Deodoro Stadium made Thursday's final day of the Rio 2016 competition a noisy and colorful affair.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Mar 11, 2015

Murofushi, Miyagi Prefecture students team up to clean 1964 Olympic Cauldron

Koji Murofushi secured a permanent place in the annals of track and field by capturing the men's hammer throw gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics and the bronze eight years later at the London Summer Games.
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Mar 9, 2015

Will SMS be the undoing of sumo’s latest foreign ‘star’?

Sumo has a new superstar. Or at least that is what the individual in question appears to be thinking at the moment!

Longform

Figure skater Akiko Suzuki was once told her ideal weight should be 47 kilograms, a number she now admits she “naively believed.” This led to her have a relationship with food that resulted in her suffering from anorexia.
The silent battle Japanese athletes fight with weight