Forever Young, piloted by Ryusei Sakai, wins the Breeders' Cup Classic on November 1, 2025, in Del Mar, California. (©SANKEI by Katsumi Saito)
Due to the outbreak of the Israel/United States war with Iran, as well as drone and missile attacks in neighboring countries, there are a number of notable absences for the 2026 Dubai World Cup horse racing meet.
Held at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates, the Dubai World Cup is the marquee race of a nine-race program that was launched in 1996. Dubai World Cup Day is set for Saturday, March 28.
Danon Decile, Masquerade Ball, Win Carnelian and Jantar Mantar are among the Japanese thoroughbreds who are now scheduled to compete in domestic races in the coming weeks. Previous plans to participate in Dubai races were scrapped after the outbreak of war on February 28.
"We look forward to welcoming guests to Meydan Racecourse for an unforgettable evening on the 30th anniversary of this event," read a Dubai Racing Club statement.
A Region in the Midst of War
The Japanese government issued a Level 3 travel alert for the Persian Gulf region, including the United Arab Emirates, on March 5. This is the second-highest warning level for travel advisories issued by the foreign ministry. In recent weeks, airports have been closed or have had limited service in the region due to attacks by Iran.
Recognizing the risks of traveling to and from a region engulfed in war, trainer Shogo Yasuda is exercising caution. He's now preparing Danon Decile for the Japan Racing Association Grade 1 Osaka Hai on April 5 at Hanshin Racecourse in Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture.
Masquerade Ball, who was scheduled to race in the Grade 1 Dubai Sheema Classic, and Jantar Mantar are also expected to be in the 2,000-meter Osaka Hai lineup on the first Sunday of April.
Luxor Cafe, a fifth-place finisher at the Saudi Cup on February 14, was previously slated to compete in the UAE Derby on Dubai World Cup Day. But due to the situation in the Middle East, he returned to Japan along with Shin Forever and Keiai Agito on March 17, according to published reports.
Shin Forever was among the planned runners for the G2 Godolphin Mile. Then the war altered those plans.
Forever Young Set to Race in Dubai World Cup
Meanwhile, Forever Young, the Japan Racing Association's 2025 Horse of the Year and winner of back-to-back Saudi Cups, has continued to train for the Dubai World Cup in the UAE city.
Trainer Yoshito Yahagi, who has guided Forever Young to stardom since the start of his career, has kept a watchful eye on the situation in the Middle East.
In early March, he issued a social media statement summing up the situation in Dubai from what he's seen and heard. But several weeks later, the war continues with new explosive developments around the clock.
"We apologize for the generated concern," Yahagi wrote, according to TurfDiario.com. "Forever Young and American Stage are working together on the main track at a steady pace and continuing their usual preparation. There were no explosions or sounds of interceptions last night, and the staff was able to rest."
The Dubai World Cup was canceled in 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic "to safeguard the health of participants," Reuters reported in March 2020.
More recently, on March 14, Formula One called off two April 2026 races, scheduled to be held in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, due to the war.
"While this was a difficult decision to take, it is unfortunately the right one at this stage considering the current situation in the Middle East," said Stefano Domenicali, the Formula One president and CEO, according to the BBC.
Expected Japanese Participants in Dubai World Cup Races
According to a press release posted on the Dubai Racing Club website, the following Japanese horses and trainers are tentatively scheduled to participate:
- Forever Young in the nine-horse Dubai World Cup, the night's finale.
- Pyromancer (trainer Keiji Yoshimura) and Wonder Dean (Daisuke Takayanagi in the 1,900-meter UAE Derby.
- Gaia Force (Haruki Sugiyama) in the 1,800-meter Dubai Turf.
- Lugal (Sugiyama) in the 1,200-meter Al Quoz Sprint.
- And American Stage (Yahagi) in the 1,200-meter Dubai Golden Shaheen.
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Soccer
Japan Tops Australia in Women's Asian Cup Final
For the third time in 12 years, Nadeshiko Japan has been crowned champion of the Women's Asian Cup.
Midfielder Maika Hamano's impressive strike into the lower right corner of the net in the 17th minute lifted Japan to a 1-0 victory over Australia in the tournament final on Saturday, March 21 in Sydney.
A crowd of 74,000-plus spectators attended the match at Stadium Australia.
Japan advanced to the title match with a 4-1 win over South Korea in the semifinals on Wednesday, March 18.
In 2014 and 2018, the Japanese squad won back-to-back continental titles.
Australia outshot Japan 16-12 and controlled possession for 54% of the match.
Japan manager Nils Nielsen said after the match that he was "relieved" his squad prevailed over the Aussies.
"I think it was a 50-50 game just as I predicted," Nielsen said, according to Kyodo News. "It's very difficult to play Australia in Australia, and I have to say they made themselves proud."
The manager then said, "We won six games, I think it's OK [if] we take the trophy. In the end, I'm just happy, the girls fought with everything they had."
Australia captain Sam Kerr said her team played a solid game.
"For most of the game, we had the better chances and definitely in the second half, most of the possession," Kerr said, according to The Associated Press. "So it was just one moment. Unfortunately, that's what football is decided on.
"The last few games, we've had the moments and made the most of them. Tonight, they had an amazing goal."
Top Awards for Nadeshiko Japan Players
Japan striker Riko Ueki, who also plays for England's West Ham United, finished with a Women's Asian Cup-best six goals. She was honored as the competition's top goalscorer after the final.
Ayaka Yamashita received the tournament's Best Goalkeeper accolade. In her four matches in the quadrennial tourney, Yamashita also recorded shutout wins over Taiwan and Vietnam. And among the Manchester City goalie's big saves on Saturday, she turned aside a late header by Caitlin Foord to preserve Japan's lead.
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Tennis
Teenager Sakamoto Earns 1st ATP Tour Win
Rei Sakamoto defeated Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (9-7) in the first round of the Miami Open on Friday, March 20.
For the 19-year-old, it was his first career ATP Tour victory after five losses in previous matches.
World No 164 "Samurai" Sakamoto saluted the crowd at Hard Rock Stadium after beating 92nd-ranked Kovacevic.
A formidable challenge awaited Sakamoto, a wildcard entrant in the tournament, in his second-round match on Saturday against ninth-ranked Daniil Medvedev. (Medvedev prevailed in three sets; he made a stirring comeback after dropping the first set 7-6, which ended with a 12-10 tiebreak.)
In 2024, the Aichi Prefecture native was the Australian Open boys' singles champion.
Basketball
Hachimura Coming off the Bench for the Streaking Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers won their season-best eighth consecutive game on Thursday, March 19, a 134-126 decision over the Miami Heat. Lakers forward Rui Hachimura was utilized as backup for the fourth consecutive game.
LA's current win streak, which was extended to nine on Saturday (105-104 over the Orlando Magic) began with Hachimura starting the first four games. Coach JJ Redick then began calling on him to play as a reserve.
In the past five games, Hachimura had six-, six-, eight-, seven-, and two-point outings. With Luka Doncic carrying the offense as the team's go-to scorer, including 60 points against the Heat, Hachimura's role remains a key part of the team's supporting cast.
Hachimura had a season-best 28 points against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 3, 2025.
He's shooting a career-best 43.8% from 3-point range (102 of 233).
"I like my role here," Hachimura told The Athletic in January. "The things that I like to do, I'm doing here. I just gotta embrace doing whatever it takes to win for the team."
B2-Leading Kobe Storks Riding a 10-Game Win Streak
The Kobe Storks (44-5), who have the best record in the 14-team B.League second division, won their 10th consecutive game on Sunday, March 22.
A day earlier, led by power forward Yoeli Childs' 24 points and 10 assists, the Western Conference-leading Storks cruised to a 106-66 road win over the Aomori Wat's in the series opener.
In the series finale, Kobe manhandled Aomori, winning 102-53.
Longtime Fighting Eagles Nagoya head coach Taizo Kawabe took over as Kobe's new bench boss during the offseason.
The Storks had a 25-35 record in 2024-25.
In addition to Kawabe, among the team's key newcomers for the 2025-26 campaign are Childs and veteran point guard Shuto Terazono.
Childs, a Brigham Young University alumni, is No 2 in B2 in scoring (21.3 points per game) and No 1 in rebounding (11.1).
The 31-year-old Terazono, who previously played for the Levanga Hokkaido, is third among second division players in assists (5.4 per game) and also averages 13.1 points per game.
In B2's Eastern Conference, the Shinshu Brave Warriors (39-10) have the top record. Coach Michael Katsuhisa's club has won eight straight.
Baseball
Marines Rookie Mouri Named Starter for Opening Game
Chiba Lotte Marines left-hander Kaito Mouri will be the franchise's first Opening Day rookie starter since 1950.
Mariners manager Saburo Omura informed Mouri of his high-profile assignment on Saturday, March 21.
A second-round draft pick in 2025, Mouri spoke to Omura after a team practice.
"When I was called into the manager's office after practice and Manager Saburo told me, 'You're starting the opener,' I got goosebumps," Mouri was quoted as saying by Sports Nippon. "The manager also told me, 'Go out there and enjoy yourself to the fullest.' "
When the franchise was known as the Mainichi Orions, Yoshimi Ebara won his first of 16 games as a rookie in the 1950 season opener.
Now, Mouri wants to have a successful NPB regular-season debut, too.
"As for being the team's first rookie starter in 76 years, to be honest, it hasn't quite sunk in yet, but I do realize it's a huge deal," Mouri said, according to the sports newspaper. "I'm sure I'll be incredibly nervous, but since the game is at our home stadium, Zozo Marine Stadium, I believe the fans' loud cheers will give me strength. I'll do my best to contribute to a win."
The Marines play host to the Saitama Seibu Lions on Friday, March 27.
Check out the complete schedule of games on NPB's English-language website.
Former Japan Pitching Coach Advocates for WBC Changes
Kazuhiro Takeda, who served as Japan's pitching coach at the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006, believes the sport can implement changes to help pitchers have greater success.
In a commentary posted on his YouTube channel, Takeda spoke about differences between MLB and NPB, including different balls used by the two leagues. MLB is under contract with Rawlings, while NPB has a deal with Mizuno. The WBC also uses the official MLB ball, which is slightly bigger.
"We should adopt the pitch clock worldwide, or standardize all the balls," Takeda said on YouTube, The Digest sports website reported. "Unless we move in that direction, it will take Japan a long time to adjust. We should just change everything."
MLB established pitch clock rules in 2024 to speed up the game. NPB game guidelines do not include a pitch clock.
Quotes of the Week
"The reserves made a difference with their speed and physicality."
―Saitama Wild Knights head coach Atsushi Kanazawa, assessing the Japan Rugby League One team's 31-7 rout of the Black Rams Tokyo. With the win on March 20 at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, the Wild Knights improved to 11-1, the league-best record.
"The stuff was really good — it's going to get more crisp as he gets out there and gets regular pitching. But, man, it was really good. He knows he only has a couple outings before the start of the season, so he was focused. To have him touch the fifth inning was a huge win for us."
―Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, on Shohei Ohtani's spring training pitching debut on March 18 against the San Francisco Giants in Glendale, Arizona, Ohtani tossed 4⅓ scoreless innings, allowing one hit and two walks while fanning four batters.
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.
