Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani attends the 101st New York Baseball Writers' Gala on January 24, 2026, in New York City. (©KYODO)
Shohei Ohtani was among MLB's top stars in attendance at the 101st New York Baseball Writers' Gala on Saturday, January 24.
At the Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan, during this annual celebration of baseball, the spotlight shined on top award winners from the 2025 season.
"There is no other night in sports like the New York Baseball Writers' Gala!" the New York chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America declared on its website. "Where else can you see MLB's Most Valuable Players, the Cy Young winners, the Jackie Robinson Rookies of the Year, and Managers of the Year winners from each league?!"
Ohtani, the National League MVP in 2024 and '25, and New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, who was named AL MVP in both years, too, were among a number of top players whose achievements were celebrated at the banquet.
Shohei Ohtani Humbled and Grateful
During the ceremony, Ohtani spoke about how meaningful it was for him to become an MVP again. Before joining the Dodgers, he won two AL MVP Awards with the Los Angeles Angels (2021, 2023).
"To all the writers who voted for me, thank you," Ohtani said at the gala. "This MVP Award is very meaningful, and winning it again means so much to me."
He added, "A deep appreciation goes out to all of you writers for recognizing the hard work and efforts that were put forth in achieving this NL MVP Award."
In 2025, Ohtani had a career-high 55 home runs and resumed his pitching career after undergoing elbow surgery in September 2023.
The Dodgers superstar commended the accomplishments of other baseball standouts at the banquet.
"To my fellow recipients, congratulations to all of you and your achievements," Ohtani said.
Speaking entirely in English, he also expressed gratitude to his family.
"Lastly, [thanks to] my family in Japan, and most importantly my loving wife Mamiko and my daughter and [dog] Decoy for making my life whole," said Ohtani. "I appreciate you always being there for me. Thank you."
Sumo
Aonishiki Reflects on Title-Winning Performance
Ukrainian ozeki Aonishiki spoke about his nervous demeanor and his unsettling mindset at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, a day after beating Atamifuji in a playoff.
At a news conference on Monday, January 26, Aonishiki essentially told reporters he can loosen up now.
"I finally feel like I can relax," Aonishiki said, according to Kyodo News. "Every one of the 15 days was tense."
Aonishiki had 12 wins and three defeats in his 15 scheduled bouts at the New Year Basho in Tokyo. And he put an exclamation point on his superb overall performance by becoming the first ozeki since Hakuho in 2006 to claim the Emperor's Cup in his debut at sumo's second-highest level.
"I hadn't thought about it that much, but I'm proud that I was able to do it after 20 years," Aonishiki said, according to Kyodo News, referring to the long gap between victorious ozeki debutants.
Since being promoted to the makuuchi (top) division before the 2025 Spring Basho, he's finished with double-digit win totals in all six sumo tournaments.
RELATED:
Ski Jumping
Japan Men Soar to Team Title at Ski Flying World Championships
Olympic medal hopeful Ren Nikaido showcased his ability at the 2026 FIS Ski Flying World Championships in Oberstdorf, Germany, helping Japan claim the team title on Sunday, January 25.
Nikaido flew 229 meters (receiving 205.8 points) on Japan's final jump to clinch the world title.
Japan, which had previously never collected a medal at the Ski Flying World Championships, finished with 1,569.9 points. Also competing for Japan were Ryoyu Kobayashi, Tomofumi Naito and Naoki Nakamura.
Austria placed second with 1,560.5 points, while Norway took third with 1,483.7.
Ski flying, which features custom-built hills to boost the jump distances, is not a part of the Winter Olympic sports program. But many of the world's elite ski jumpers also participate in ski flying competitions.
RELATED:
Figure Skating
Miura Wins the Four Continents' Men's Title
In Beijing, Kao Miura had a solid showing in his final competition before the Milan Cortina Olympics.
The 2023 men's junior world champion finished first in the men's event at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships on Sunday, January 25. Miura, who was in first place after the short program, slipped to fourth in the free skate. But his accumulation of points from both skating programs sealed the victory (273.73 points).
South Korea's Junhwan Cha placed second (273.62) and Sota Yamamoto was third (270.07).
"Today I feel like I fought through the first half of the performance," Miura said, according to the International Skating Union website. "I had mistakes but I was able to regain my confidence and skate well in the latter half."
He then said, "I found room for improvement because I had some major mistakes. That's something I need to work on going into the Olympics."
Miura, who also triumphed at the 2023 Four Continents in Colorado Springs, Colorado, will be joined by Shun Sato and Yuma Kagiyama in the men's singles competition at the 2026 Olympics.
Basketball
Diamond Dolphins Sweep SeaHorses
The Nagoya Diamond Dolphins continued their strong play of late in a B.League weekend series against the SeaHorses Mikawa on January 24 and 25.
Nagoya topped Mikawa 83-78 in the series opener on Saturday at IG Arena. Then, in the rematch, the Diamond Dolphins earned a 77-62 victory to extend their winning streak to four.
The SeaHorses led 41-38 at the end of the second quarter in the Sunday match.
Nagoya regrouped at halftime and dominated the third quarter (outscoring the visitors 20-7) en route to a convincing win before an announced crowd of 13,348.
Small forward Aaron Henry, a Michigan State alumnus, led the Diamond Dolphins with 25 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Takumi Saito and Scott Eatherton scored 12 points apiece.
The Diamond Dolphins (25-7) are in second place in the Western Conference standings behind the Nagasaki Velca (28-4).
Author: Ed Odeven
Follow Ed's [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and he can be found on X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
