[JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] Kawasaki Frontale Remain in Championship Form to Kick off 2021 Season

Kawasaki Frontale enjoyed the thrill of capturing the J. League title last season, then set the ambitious goal of repeating that feat in the 2021 campaign.

So far, so good.

No other team has knocked Frontale off their throne yet.

Manager Toru Oniki's club has played 12 games this season, winning 10 times and earning two draws.

There is one remaining unbeaten team in the J. League first division.

This year, the top flight has 20 teams, including two new additions, Tokushima Vortis and Avispa Fukuoka, both of whom previously played in the second division, aka J2. (In past years, J1 had 18 teams.)

In the current season, which began on the final weekend of February, Frontale have enjoyed a spectacular April. Here's a quick rundown: Frontale 2, Oita Trinita o (April 2), Frontale 1, Sagan Tosu 0 (April 7), Frontale 4, FC Tokyo 2 (April 11), Frontale 3, Avispa 1 (April 14) and Frontale 1, Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1 (April 18).

The draw with Sanfrecce ended Frontale's four-game win streak.

Kawasaki Frontale players walk off the field after a recent match at Todoroki Stadium.

Above all, Kawasaki's recipe for success this season starts with its potent scoring attack. Frontale led J1 with 30 goals through Friday, April 23, with 10 more goals than Yokohama F. Marinos, the No. 2 club in that category.

Frontale's spread-the-wealth offense is a big part of their success story.

Leandro Damiao is first with seven goals, tied for third in J1. Akihiro Ienaga has six goals, Yu Kobayashi and Kaoru Mitoma have four apiece and Daiya Tono has three.

With J. League titles in 2017, 2018 and 2020, it appears that Frontale's great run will continue on for another full year.

Kumagai To Leave Olympique Lyonnais at Season's End

Nadeshiko Japan captain Saki Kumagai, who has enjoyed past success with the national team and a joyride with Olympique Lyonnais, said this week this is her final season with the French powerhouse.

Kumagai broke the news on Instagram on Tuesday, April 20.

"It was not an easy decision but I'm really looking forward to the new challenges ahead," the 30-year-old, who played on Japan's 2011 Women's World Cup-winning squad, wrote on the social media platform.

Kumagai also helped set the tone for Japan at the 2015 WWC and at the 2012 London Games. Nadeshiko Japan placed second in both events.

The veteran defender is considered a likely candidate to play for Nadeshiko Japan at the Tokyo Olympics.

Olympic Soccer Draws Held

The Japan men will face South Africa, Mexico and France in Group A at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, announced on Wednesday, April 21.

The other 12 men's national teams competing at the Olympics will be assigned to the following groups:

Group B: New Zealand, South Korea, Honduras, Romania.

Group C: Egypt, Spain, Argentina, Australia.

Group D: Brazil, Germany, Ivory Coast, Saudi Arabia.

On the women's side, 12 sides will be paired into three groups.

Group E: Japan, Canada, Britain, Chile.

Group F: China, Brazil, Zambia, Netherlands.

Group G: Sweden, United States, Australia, New Zealand.

Team Suzuki's Alex Rins (right) competes in the Portuguese Grand Prix on April 18. (Pedro Nunez/REUTERS)

Motor Sports

Suzuki Confirms Commitment to MotoGP through 2026

Suzuki finalized a plan to remain in MotoGP through 2026. The signed paperwork confirms the defending champion's involvement in the circuit from 2022-26.

"An agreement has been signed with series promoter Dorna to renew their involvement in the MotoGP World Championship for the period ranging from the 2022 season to the 2026 season,” Suzuki and Dorna announced in a statement, according to Agence France-Presse.

The MotoGP team earned last year’s team crown by virtue of Joan Mir (first) and Alex Rins (third) in the riders' category.

In other news this week, Formula One and Suzuka Circuit finalized a three-year contract extension for the Japanese Grand Prix.

As a result, the race will be held at the Mie Prefecture venue until 2024 per the new contract.

The 2021 Japanese GP is set to be held on October 10.

Golf

Nakajima Climbs to No. 1 in Amateur Rankings

Keita Nakajima is the latest Japanese men's golfer to reach No. 1 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking list.

The current rankings were unveiled on Wednesday, April 21.

In reaching No. 1, Nakajima finished in the top 10 in three consecutive tournaments on the Japan Golf Tour, including a runner-up spot in the Token Homemate Cup on April 18. He placed tied for eighth in the Dunlop Phoenix event and was third at the Mitsui Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters.

Nakajima has finished in the top 10 in each of his last three tournaments.

Nakajima, 20, climbed 10 spots in the rankings.

Who are the other Japanese to previously be ranked No. 1?

In 2010, Hideki Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters champion, was No. 1 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking chart. Takumi Kanaya, now a pro, held the top spot last year.

Masahiro Tanaka holds a commemorative item on April 24 in Sendai.

Baseball

Eagles' Tanaka Notches 100th NPB Win

A week after making his first start in Japan since 2013, Masahiro Tanaka earned victory No. 100 of his NPB career on Saturday, April 24 in Sendai.

Tanaka pitched six innings of one-run ball and held the Seibu Lions to three hits in the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles' 2-1 win at Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi. The 32-year-old fanned four and allowed one walk.

It was Tanaka's first pitching appearance at the Eagles' home ballpark since Game 7 of the 2013 Japan Series, which Rakuten won.

"I'm home," Tanaka expressed in an on-field interview after the game, which could be heard throughout the ballpark courtesy of high-powered microphones. "It feels a little strange, but I'm extremely happy."

In Tanaka's first regular-season game of 2021, he took the loss on April 17, allowing three runs and four hits in five innings against the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters at Tokyo Dome.

Red Sox Reliever Sawamura Records First MLB Win

Boston Red Sox reliever Hirokazu Sawamura entered the game in a high-pressure situation on Friday, April 23 at Fenway Park in the opener of a weekend series against the Seattle Mariners. Boston entered the game as the American League East's first-place team, while Seattle was tied for first in the AL West.

With two outs and two men on base in the fourth inning and the hosts ahead 3-2, Sawamura was called upon to replace Boston starter Martin Perez.

The former Yomiuri Giants pitcher, who joined the Red Sox in the offseason, then held the Mariners without a run in the fifth. He struck out three in his quality relief appearance.

"I'm glad the team won," Sawamura told reporters. "I'm happy [about my first win] and I might revel in it until around midnight, but after that, it's another day."

Boston beat Seattle 6-5.

Mariners lefty Yusei Kikuchi (0-1), who made his fourth start of the season, gave up five runs in 4 1/3 innings.

Sawaura has appeared in nine Red Sox games. In 10 innings, he's yielded just two runs. He owns a 1.80 ERA.

The giant video screen at Angel Stadium.

Angels' Ohtani Slugs 100th Career Homer

Shohei Ohtani smacked a solo home run in the third inning on April 21 to reach the career century mark. It was his fifth round-tripper of the season.

The Los Angeles Angels designated hitter belted homer No. 100 off Texas Rangers hurler Mike Foltynewicz.

Texas topped the hosts 7-4 at Angel Stadium.

Shohei Ohtani belts his 100th career home run on April 21, a solo blast in the third inning.

Ohtani hit his first career homer in 2013 for the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters.

After the game, he was asked if any of his homers to date are most special to him, Kyodo News reported.

"Both first homers [in Japan and the U.S.] are memorable," Ohtani told reporters. They're both special."

A day earlier, Ohtani had a shaky outing on the pitching mound, working four innings of one-hit, no-run ball. He struck out seven and walked six in the Angels' 6-2 win over the Rangers. Reliever Griffin Canning, who replaced Ohtani, picked up the win.

Minnesota Twins starter Kenta Maeda was tagged for eight hits and seven runs on April 21 against the Oakland Athletics.

Maeda Allows Career-Worst-Tying Seven Runs in Slugfest

Kenta Maeda was not at the top of his game on Wednesday, April 21.

The Oakland Athletics pounced on the Minnesota Twins starter's pitches early and often in a 13-12 slugfest. He surrendered seven runs and eight hits and left after three innings. Maeda allowed three home runs.

The hosts prevailed 13-12 in 10 innings at Oakland Coliseum. It was their 11th consecutive victory.

For Maeda, the eight runs matched the highest number he's given up in his pro career, which began in 2008 with the Hiroshima Carp. He got a no-decision in Minnesota's extra-innings defeat.

Oakland led 7-4 when Maeda departed from the game.

"I threw too many off-speed pitches down the middle and hitters took advantage of that," Maeda was quoted as saying by Kyodo News after the game.

"I've had some disappointing pitching performances recently, so I hope I can shift gears and bounce back strong in my next start."

Orix Buffaloes teammates Takahiro Okada (left) and Yutaro Sugimoto had key hits in the ninth inning on April 22.

Buffaloes Make Spirited Comeback in 9th

The Orix Buffaloes provides NPB fans with perhaps the week's most exciting ending, delivering late-game drama to pull off a 7-6 victory against the Seibu Lions on Thursday, April 22.

The Buffaloes trailed 6-3 after eight innings at Kyocera Dome in Osaka.

Moments earlier, the Lions' Aito Takeda clubbed a three-run double to put the Buffaloes in an apparent difficult spot. But Orix manager Satoshi Nakajima's club rose to the occasion.

With two outs in the ninth, Takahiro Okada produced the first of two game-defining hits for the Buffaloes, hammering a bases-loaded double off the right-field wall on a 2-2 offering from Tatushi Masuda. That tied it up at 6-6.

The Lions closer failed to quell the rally.

Orix Buffaloes outfielder Yutaro Sugimoto delivers the game-winning hit on April 22.

Yutaro Sugimoto followed with a sayonara single beyond the reach of Seibu shortstop Sosuke Genda, sending Okada home for the winning run.

As a result, Orix completed a series sweep against its Pacific League rival.

The Ryukyu Golden Kings and Nagoya Diamond Dolphins play the first game at Okinawa Arena on April 21. (B. League)

Basketball

Okinawa Arena Stages First-Ever Game

The B. League's Ryukyu Golden Kings faced the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins in brand-new Okinawa Arena on Wednesday, April 21.

Nagoya edged Ryukyu 87-85 in the new venue in Okinawa City before an announced crowd of 3,521.

Diamond Dolphins power forward Leo Lyons nailed an outside jumper with 1 seconds remaining.

Golden Kings point guard Narito Namizato missed a desperation 3-pointer before the final buzzer.

Construction began in 2018 for the 10,000-seat gym and the finishing touches were put on the project in March.

*Okinawa Arena, the new home of the Ryukyu Golden Kings (B. League)*

Okinawa Arena is one of the venues set to be used in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which will be held August 25-September 10. The Philippines and Indonesia are the other co-hosts of the global tournament. Matches will be held in Okinawa City during the event's group phase.

For the Diamond Dolphins (31-23), Lyons led the way with 25 points and pulled down seven rebounds. Justin Burrell finished with a double-double (13 points 10 boards) and Jeff Ayres also scored 12 points. Taito Nakahighasi poured in 11 points and snared seven rebounds. Takumi Saito added 11 points, six assists and two steals.

University of Notre Dame product Jack Cooley paced the West Division-leading Golden Kings (38-12) with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Keita Imamura scored 15 points, Kim Tillie and Ryuichi Kishimoto had 12 apiece and Namizato finished with 10.

Ryukyu led 43-41 at halftime.

89ers Forward Nash Out with Ruptured Achilles Tendon

Sendai 89ers forward Le'Bryan Nash sustained a season-ending ruptured right Achilles tendon on April 21 in a B. League second-division game against the Koshigaya Alphas.

Nash, the bj-league 2016 All-Star Game MVP, averaged 19.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 31 games.

The 28-year-old Nash, an Oklahoma State alum, began his pro career in 2015 with the Fukushima Firebonds.

He scored a season-high 37 points on March 24 against the Firebonds.

Kei Nishikori plays a shot against Rafael in the third round of the Barcelona Open on April 22. (AP/via Kyodo News)

Tennis

Nishikori Stumbles in Barcelona Open Third Round

Rafael Nadal excelled in the first and third sets against Kei Nishikori in the men's singles third round at the Barcelona Open on Thursday, April 22.

The world No. 3 struggled in the second set, but returned to form to power past Nishikori, winning 6-0, 2-6, 6-2.

Entering this year's tournament, Nadal had 11 Barcelona Open titles on his résumé.

Now he also owns a 12-2 overall head-to-head record against Nishikori, who's ranked 39th in the world.

After the victory, the Spaniard assessed his performance: “I think I played much better than yesterday; that’s a very important thing for me.

"The level of positive energy was higher, so I'm very satisfied.”

Nishikori was disappointed by the result.

"I wasn't able to win all the key points," Nishikori, who won the tournament in 2014 and 2015, was quoted as saying by Kyodo News.

"I don't understand why I can't play well consistently and it's frustrating. I have to put together at least two sets of top-level tennis in a match."

Swimming

1988 Gold Medalist Suzuki Awaits ISHOF Enshrinement

Daichi Suzuki, who captured the gold medal in the men's 100-meter breaststroke at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, will be inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Florida in October.

Suzuki, former head of the Japan Sports Agency (now led by Koji Murofushi), is one of five aquatic greats who'll comprise the honors swimmers portion of the ISHOF's Class of 2021.

The others: Australia's Michael Klim and Jon Sieben, and American standouts Brendan Hansen and Rebecca Soni. Other categories in the Hall of Fame ceremony honor distinguished coaches, divers, etc.

Originally, Suzuki and others were to be inducted in April 2020, but the global pandemic forced the ISHOF to postpone the festivities.

Boxing

Murata Targeting June Return to the Ring: Report

WBA middleweight title holder Ryota Murata, the 2012 London Olympic gold medalist in the same weight class, intends to return to the ring in a tuneup fight in June, Sports Illustrated senior writer Chris Mannix recently reported.

For Murata, a TBA foe in the early summer would give him a litmus test in the run-up to a potential high-profile bout against IBF champ Gennady Golovkin (41-1-1, 36 knockouts) on New Year's Eve.

Murata (16-2, 13 KOs) hasn't fought since a third-round technical knockout of Steven Butler on December 23, 2019, at Yokohama Arena.

Quotes of the Week

"Prior to the pandemic I said there's no way the [Tokyo] Olympics can go ahead because history told us there was no way they could. And now I'm saying I don't know, I wonder if they can again. This decision needs to be made by medical and health experts, not by corporate and big business."

ーHayley Wickenheiser, who played in six Olympics for Canada's women's ice hockey team, in an interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

"It's his first big league experience. And I think little by little, you can see him gaining confidence. ... That was a huge part of the game right there. We needed that and he did an amazing job."

ーBoston Red Sox manager Alex Cora on Hirokazu Sawamura's first MLB victory.

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Author: Ed Odeven

Follow Ed on JAPAN Forward's [Japan Sports Notebook] here on Sundays, in [Odds and Evens] here during the week, and Twitter ＠ed_odeven.