VALIANT EFFORT! | JANNIK SINNER VS. SHINTARO MOCHIZUKI

NAOMI OSAKA TURNS WIMBLEDON INTO A CATWALK WITH STUNNING JAPANESE-STYLE OUTFIT

Naomi Osaka continued her tradition at Wimbledon on day three

Naomi Osaka stunned in a white train (Image: BBC)

Naomi Osaka continued her Wimbledon tradition of turning the All England Club into a catwalk on Wednesday morning. The Japanese star strolled onto Court 2 to face Anastasia Gasanova wearing a jacket with flowers on the back, a kimono-style belt wrapped around it and a long tulle train at the back.

The four-time Grand Slam champion donned the attire as she made her way to the net to meet the umpire and her opponent for the coin toss. But Osaka then removed the train and the kimono belt before the warm-up commenced. The jacket was left on her courtside chair when the match got underway.

Naomi Osaka did the coin toss with her train and kimono belt attached (Image: Getty)

Naomi Osaka arrived on court in a stunning long train (Image: Getty)

Osaka wore a white flowing kimono for her first-round win over Elsa Jacquemot on Monday that caught the attention of all at SW 19. The No. 14 seed won 6-1, 7-5 and then explained her fashion choice.

"For me, my Japanese heritage means a lot. They say all white at Wimbledon and I thought it would be really cool to come out in a kimono," Osaka said.

"I just get inspired by a lot of different things, and for me, one of my favorite movies is ‘Kill Bill.’ So I really love Lucy Liu’s character, O-Ren Ishii, and she comes out in this really iconic white kimono. I always tell people I like to be like a video game character sometimes, I don’t want to be myself when I’m playing on the court. And I kind of try to embody her a little."

Naomi Osaka kept her jacket on for the warm up (Image: Getty)

Osaka has been working with Tokyo-based designer Hana Yagi and finished her round-one outfit with a kanzashi hair ornament and Mikimoto jewelry.

"I like to use fashion as a medium for storytelling," Osaka told British Vogue earlier this year. "Every walk-out is an opportunity to bring people into my creative world. The fact that people care about it and are excited to see what’s next is also pretty cool."

- Mikael McKenzie

JAPANESE FANS CLEAN DALLAS STADIUM

JUDO UKEMI | UKEMI MEANS 'BREAK YOUR FALL' IN JAPANESE

 

WATANABE VS. SUBRAMANIAM | GRASSHOPPER CUP 2026 | FINAL

 

FORMULA 1ARAMCO JAPANESE GRAND PRIX 2026 | SUZUKA | FINAL STARTING GRID

 

A JAPANESE BILLIONAIRE SPENT $200 MILLION BUILDING A PRIVATE FORMULA 1 RACETRACK

A Japanese billionaire spent about $200 million building a private Formula 1–style racetrack for use by his wife and children.

The circuit, known as the Magarigawa Club, is located in the mountains of Chiba, around 40 kilometres east of central Tokyo.

The track was designed by Formula 1 circuit architect Hermann Tilke and measures about 2.17 miles, with 22 corners and significant elevation changes.

It was not built to host professional races, but rather as a private facility with limited public access. 

The circuit now also operates as an exclusive members-only driving club for wealthy clients.

- Mechavytes

SATOMI WATANABE | WORLD GAMES ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

 

DATSUN ROADSTER | DATSUN SPORTS | DATSUN FAIRLADY

The car pictured is a Datsun Roadster, also known as the Datsun Sports or Fairlady in some markets.

This lightweight sports car was produced by Nissan in the 1960s. 

The Datsun Roadster model S211 line was first launched in 1959.

The second generation, designed for mass production, made its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1961.

It served as a precursor to Nissan's future "Z" series of cars .

SECOND BOXER FROM SAME TOKYO EVENT DIES FROM BRAIN INJURIES

 Hiromasa Urakawa has passed away after a bout with Yoji Saito

A second boxer has died from the same card in Japan (Getty Images)

Hiromasa Urakawa has become the second boxer to die from brain injuries sustained at the same event in Tokyo.

The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) announced the death of Japanese boxer Urakawa at the age of 28 on Sunday following a bout with Yoji Saito on 2 August.

It occurred days after Shigetoshi Kotari, who fought out a draw with Yamato Hata on the same card in Tokyo, died due to injuries to his brain.

"The WBO mourns the passing of Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa, who tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during his fight against Yoji Saito on August 2 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo," a WBO statement read.

"This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from injuries suffered in his fight on the same card.

"We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time."

Lightweight Urakawa fought 14 times as a professional (10-4, 7KOs), while Tokyo featherweight Kotari contested 12 bouts (8-2-2, 5KOs).

The Japanese Boxing Commission has since announced all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title fights will be reduced from 12 rounds to 10.

- Independent, sports staff

PRO BOXER SHIGETOSHI KOYARINHAS PASSED AWAY AT AGE 28

Professional boxer Shigetoshi Kotari has sadly passed away at the age of 28 due to brain injuries sustained in his bout with Yamato Hata on August 2nd. 

FORD PROVIDE UPDATE ON ALL-NEW RED BULL F1 ENGINE

© XPBimages
Ford

Ford has shared further insight into the development of Red Bull's F1 power unit for 2026, the team's first season as an engine manufacturer.

Mark Rushbrook, global director at Ford performance, has outlined how the project is going from the American car giant's perspective, which has entered a partnership with the Milton Keynes-based squad to see in the new era of F1 power unit regulations.

With Honda leaving for Aston Martin, Red Bull Powertrains (RBPT) is making good on its initial plans to become an OEM (before the Japanese marque reversed its decision to leave the championship), with Ford by its side.

With significant changes to how F1 engines will work from next season, the technical and strategic relationship between Red Bull and Ford is of paramount importance to how the six-time constructors' champions perform next term - and beyond.

"The partnership is actually getting stronger every day, from the first discussions and the moment the contract was signed, although the work had already started before that," Rushbrook told the Dutch branch of Motorsport.com.

"We are contributing in a number of ways. In general, we are on track with our timeline for the ICE [internal combustion engine] and the electrical components.

"There is obviously still a lot of work to do and a lot to prove in terms of durability, but the partnership - the openness, the trust and the contribution from both sides - has been excellent so far. It's everything we hoped for and actually more than we expected."

The original remit of the partnership was for Ford to handle power unit electronics for the team, but the scope has broadened, including to the producing of the ICE.

Now, Red Bull is utilising even more expertise and resources at Ford's disposal. "Initially the focus was on electrification," Rushbrook explained. "But with our advanced manufacturing facility and our [3D] printing machines, we can make things in real time.

"We are literally making things every day that come out of Dearborn, are shipped and are tested in the lab in Milton Keynes."

Is the power unit reaching its targets?

Rushbrook also confirmed the power unit is currently meeting its targets, but was keen to stress that to "achieve everything 100 percent" is not a realistic expectation.

When asked if targets are currently being reached and that everything is going according to plan, he highlighted the need to be reactive to how development unfolds.

"Yes, although of course there are always exceptions because you can never achieve everything 100 percent," he replied.

"But when it comes to achieving the power numbers, then absolutely. Then it's about the reliability tests to match that.

"Do you achieve everything perfectly? No, but that's the reality of any programme. It just happens as you go along and then it's about how you respond, in terms of urgency and in terms of the mindset of the people. So we respond to what we see."

He added: "When the engine develops and finds more power, then of course it's always about testing reliability. So it's: power, reliability, power, reliability."

- Samuel Coop

GERVONTA 'TANK' DAVIS VS. NAOYA INOUE | SIMILAR STATS

 

RED BULL CONFIRM MAX VERSTAPPEN TEAM- MATE FOR REST OF 2025

XPB

Helmut Marko has stated Yuki Tsunoda will remain alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull until the end of the F1 season.

The Japanese driver assumed the seat from Liam Lawson for his home grand prix at Suzuka. Whilst it was not the debut weekend the 24-year-old would have hoped for, Marko has confirmed the Milton Keynes squad will not make further changes this term.

Verstappen scored an improbable victory, built upon the foundation of a superb pole-securing qualifying lap, but Tsunoda's Q2 elimination left him powerless to prevent finishing point-less in P12.

However, he was significantly closer to the Dutchman through practice than Lawson could manage in Australia and China.

According to Marko, Tsunoda wanting a similar set-up approach to Verstappen means the latest Red Bull driver pairing fits better.

"Yuki is actually happy with Max's set-up. They have the same preferences, so it fits well together," Marko said to Austrian broadcaster ORF.

"Of course, it is important for us to have two cars in the points," he added, addressing Tsunoda's underwhelming output for the weekend.

However, the Austrian was also quick to highlight how well he fared up to qualifying, despite the lack of preparation afforded him.

"The first race went fairly smoothly. He was always two-to-three tenths behind Max in practice and qualifying until he was eliminated," the 81-year-old said.

"That's quite an achievement when you don't get more time," before concluding, "Yuki will finish the season at Red Bull."

- Samuel Coop

FIRST DOG PITCH | SHOHEI OHTANI'S DOG DECOY RUNS OUT THE FIRST PITCH

 

ULTIMATE DODGERS TOKYO 2025 SEASON OPENER HYPE TRAILER

 

PREMIER LEAGUE: KAORU MITOMA, YANKUBA MINTEH POWER BRIGHTON TO 3-0 WIN OVER CHELSEA

Brighton and Hove Albion dented Chelsea’s hopes of a top-four finish with a 3-0 win over the Blues in the English Premier League on Friday night. Yankuba Minteh scored a brace whereas Kaoru Mitoma netted a stunner.

Brighton defeated Chelsea 3-0 in the English Premier League to dent the Blues' hopes of a top-four finish. AP
 

 Enzo Maresca admitted Chelsea’s dismal 3-0 defeat at Brighton was the “worst performance” of his reign as Japan forward Kaoru Mitoma produced a contender for Premier League goal of the season on Friday. Maresca’s hapless side failed to muster a shot on target in their second defeat in the space of seven days at the Amex Stadium.

Mitoma scored the winner when Brighton knocked Chelsea out of the FA Cup fourth round with a 2-1 victory last weekend. He tormented the Blues again with a breathtaking piece of skill in the first half before Gambia winger Yankuba Minteh netted either side of the interval.

Maresca, in his first season in charge after arriving from Leicester, said this week that Chelsea “belong” in the Champions League, with the club setting him the target of qualifying within two years. But Chelsea’s third defeat in their last four games in all competitions was another blow to their hopes of finishing in the top four.

“I feel pressure always, not only now, but tonight the performance we can say was the worst performance since I arrived,” Maresca said.

With this result the frustration is with everything. We feel really sorry for the fans who came here.” Maresca will have to find a solution to Chelsea’s chronically error-prone defence if the fourth-placed Blues, two points ahead of Manchester City and Newcastle, are to achieve their target this term.

“When you play this kind of game, the situation we are in, and you perform in the way we did tonight there are many things you can do better,” Maresca said.

“It is not only mentally. When you play these games in the moment we are, where you can make the gap bigger to the ones behind us and you perform like we did tonight, there are many things that we need to do better. But we are still fourth and we are still in the race to finish well.”

Thrashed 7-0 at Nottingham Forest in their previous league game, Brighton had won only two of their previous 12 top-flight matches. The Seagulls have got back on track at Chelsea’s expense with a pair of impressive wins.

Palmer out of sorts

After beginning the season with six goals in his first seven league games, Cole Palmer had netted eight times, two from the penalty spot, in the following 17 matches in the competition. Chelsea had slipped from early title contenders to top four hopefuls since Palmer’s red-hot start turned colder.

Palmer again looked out of sorts on the south-coast as he blazed over from the edge of the area, then scuffed wide from Noni Madueke’s cross. Madueke limped off injured moments later to add to Chelsea’s growing injury woes.

There was worse to come for Maresca in the 27th minute as Brighton took the lead in eye-catching fashion. Bart Verbruggen’s long goal-kick was superbly controlled by Mitoma with a remarkably deft touch as it dropped over his shoulder.

That was just the start of Mitoma’s magical moment as he adroitly rolled the ball away from Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah and planted a fine low finish into the far corner from the edge of the area. Chelsea threatened an immediate equaliser but Enzo Fernandez’s header from Malo Gusto’s cross was ruled out for the midfielder’s blatant push.

Even that near miss was a false dawn for Chelsea as Brighton struck again in the 38th minute. Conceding possession deep into their own half, sloppy Chelsea were unable to recover as Danny Welbeck teed up Minteh, who evaded Marc Cucurella before drilling home from close-range.

Maresca’s men were in disarray at the back and Brighton made it three in the 63rd minute. After Chelsea appealed in vain for a foul on Levi Colwill by Welbeck, the forward found Minteh and he danced past Cucurella to score with a fierce strike from eight yards.

 - Agence France-Presse

ICHIRO BECOMES FIRST JAPANESE PLAYER ELECTED TO MLB HALL OF FAME

Hit king Ichiro Suzuki has become the first Japanese player elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame (Kazuhiro NOGI)

Global baseball's hit king Ichiro Suzuki became the first Japanese-born player elected to Major League baseball's Hall of Fame on Tuesday, just one vote shy of unanimous selection.

The Seattle Mariners star headlines the 2025 Hall of Fame class to be enshrined at Cooperstown, New York, which also includes pitcher CC Sabathia and relief pitcher Billy Wagner.

In his first year of eligibility, the 51-year-old Ichiro was chosen in balloting by the Baseball Writers Association of America -- but Yankees pitching great Mariano Rivera remains the only unanimously elected Hall of Famer.

At a press conference at the Mariners' ballpark, Ichiro said he was still absorbing the news after getting the official Hall of Fame call.

"Happiness and all the joy will probably come later," he said. "At that time, it was just a relief."

The call to Cooperstown was something he hadn't imagined even as he rose to stardom in his homeland.

"There was a time that I didn't even know if I'd get the chance to play in the MLB. So what an honor it is for me to be here and to be a Hall of Famer. It's a special day."

The Mariners made it even more special, announcing they would retire his No. 51 jersey next August.

"Ichiro is a superstar who has inspired the hopes and dreams of many," Tokyo's top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters.

Japanese home run king Sadaharu Oh called it a "very happy moment."

"Now I hope Ohtani will continue to work hard and close the gap between Japan and the US," Oh said in comments carried by public broadcaster NHK, referring to current top MLB star Shohei Ohtani.

- More hits than Rose -

Ichiro was 27 when he made his debut with the Mariners in 2001, becoming the first Japanese position player, as opposed to a pitcher, to play in the US major leagues.

He won both American League Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year honors that year, going on to earn 10 All-Star nods, 10 Gold Glove awards and three Silver Slugger Awards.

The player finished his career with 3,089 hits in MLB -- on top of 1,278 he piled up in nine years in Japan.

His 4,367 hits as a professional are the most of any player in baseball history, surpassing MLB's all-time leader Pete Rose (4,256).

Ichiro amassed two batting titles, 1,420 runs and 509 stolen bases in 19 Major League seasons while expanding the horizons for Japanese players aiming to make the move stateside when some doubted that their skills would translate to MLB.

In 2004 Ichiro won his second batting title and broke George Sisler's 84-year-old record with 262 hits -- part of a stretch of 10 straight seasons with at least 200 hits.

He had brief stints with the Yankees and Marlins before finishing his career with the Mariners, retiring in 2019 and remaining with the club as a special assistant to the chairman.

- 'One of a kind' -

"Ichiro is truly one of a kind," Mariners president Jerry Dipoto said.

"His commitment, legendary work ethic, physical endurance, mental toughness, attention to detail and passion for the game are all on a different level."

Sabathia, a left-handed starting pitcher who won a World Series with the New York Yankees, was also elected in his first year of eligibility while Wagner, an imposing closing pitcher, was elected in his 10th and final appearance on the writers' ballot.

Sabathia pitched more than 3,577 innings and piled up 251 wins. With 3,093 strikeouts he's one of only 15 pitchers, and one of just three left-handers, with at least 3,000 strikeouts and 250 wins.

He won the American League Cy Young Award with Cleveland in 2007 and helped the Yankees to the 2009 World Series title in the first of his 11 seasons in the Bronx.

Wagner is the ninth closing pitcher to be elected to the Hall of Fame. In 16 seasons with the Astros, Phillies, Mets, Red Sox and Braves he compiled 422 saves with 1,196 strikeouts, earning All-Star honors seven times.

- AFP

AUSTRALIAN OPEN: CLUTCH NAOMI OSAKA COMPLETES REVENGE MISSION AGAINST CAROLINE GARCIA

© Australian Open/X - Fair Use

Naomi Osaka has gotten her revenge over Caroline Garcia and clinched her first Australian Open win since 2022 after beating the Frenchwoman 6-3 3-6 6-3 in a match that finished 20 minutes past midnight in Melbourne. 

Last year, the Japanese returned to Melbourne Park as a mom and suffered a first-round loss to the former world No. 4.

Later in her press, Osaka didn't hide that she was very frustrated with the defeat.

This year, she drew the same opponent - in the same stage - again. 

But this time, Osaka was the one who ended on the winning side after firing seven aces and 25 winners, as well as converting four of her six break point chances. 

Naomi Osaka
© Australian Open/X - Fair Use

Throughout the match, it was an even battle. Even in the third set, there wasn't much separating the two but the only difference was that the former world No. 1 came up big in the key moments and realized her chances.

Now, the four-time Grand Slam champion is set for a very tough test as she plays next against 2023 French Open runner-up Karolina Muchova.

How Osaka beat Garcia?

In the first set, the two-time Australian Open champion went 2-of-2 on her break points in the fifth and ninth games and that was enough for her to seal the opener. 

After winning the first set, the Japanese had two consecutive game points in the first game of the second set but then hit a double fault - made some errors - and ended up losing her serve for the first time. 

That changed the rhythm of the match as Garcia stabilized and went on to force a decider after collecting another break in the ninth game.

However, Osaka was able to respond and prevent the Frenchwoman from completing a comeback win after breaking the 31-year-old twice in the third set.

While the Japanese claimed two breaks and didn't lose any of her service games in the decider, it should be noted that Garcia had a total of four break points across two games but the four-time Grand Slam winner saved it.

HIRAKAWA LEAVES MCLAREN TO JOIN ALPINE FROM 2025 F1 SEASON

 

Ahead of the upcoming season, Alpine has announced that Ryō Hirakawa will join the Anglo-French team as test and reserve driver for 2025, expanding the pool of drivers from which the Enstone-based team may call upon throughout the season for testing and driving duties.

Hirakawa previously fulfilled test driver duties at McLaren, and he will now take on the role of test and reserve driver at Alpine. As part of his duties, the Japanese driver will participate in the Alpine's TPC programme and support with car development and technical understanding using the team’s simulator throughout the 2025 season.

In addition, Hirakawa will also drive in the opening practice at the Japanese Grand Prix that will take place at the Suzuka Circuit at the beginning of April.

Hirakawa has collected a wealth of experience over the past years, having competed across various disciplines including Super Formula, Endurance, and Super GT as well as having tested in Formula One machinery in 2023 and 2024.

His most most remarkable result is his overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2022, and he is also a two-time Hypercar Champion in the FIA World Endurance Championship (2022 and 2023).

Commenting on the announcement, Hirakawa noted: “It is an honour to be joining BWT Alpine Formula One Team as a Test and Reserve Driver for the 2025 season.

"As always, the opportunity of track time in Formula One machinery is the pinnacle for race drivers and I am excited to drive in Free Practice 1 in front of my home crowd at the Japanese Grand Prix, as well as working with the team testing previous cars.

"It is a great opportunity to be working with such a dedicated team that utilises the breadth of experience of its driver pool and I look forward to playing a part in making 2025 a positive year together.”

Reflecting on the announcement, Alpine's team boss Oliver Oakes added: “It is great to bring Ryō on board with the team for 2025 and have him step in to take over driving duties for FP1 in Japan in front of his home crowd.

"His addition brings a diverse range of racing experience to our current roster and expands the pool of talent available to call upon throughout the season.

"His role will be important in providing the team with support in various areas of development through our TPC programme and simulator work, and we are looking forward to welcoming him to the team as we press ahead with preparations for the new season.”

- Balazs Szabo