Yokozuna Onosato (right) and ozeki Kotozakura train on November 2, 2025, in Fukuoka. (©KYODO)
Sumo wrestler Onosato is aiming to end the year on a high note.
If he wins the Emperor's Cup at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament (November 9-23) in Fukuoka, he will become the first wrestler to triumph in four events in the same year since 2021. That year, retired yokozuna Terunofuji won grand sumo tournament titles in March, May, September and November.
Onosato, who became the sport's 75th yokozuna (grand champion) in May 2025, would replicate the winning pattern that Terunofuji had four years ago if he achieves his goal in Fukuoka.
Already this year, Onosato was the winner at the Spring Basho, the Summer Basho and, most recently, the Autumn Basho.
During September's 15-day tournament, Onosato claimed his fifth career Emperor's Cup by beating fellow yokozuna Hoshoryu in a playoff at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
After a workout on Friday, November 7 in Fukuoka, Onosato spoke about his mindset before the start of the Kyushu Basho.
"It's not about the opponents; I just want to focus on myself, do what I need to do, and give it my all," the Ishikawa Prefecture native said, according to Nikkan Sports.
Sumo Target for Hoshoryu
In between the Autumn Basho and the start of the Kyushu Basho, the Japan Sumo Association held its first overseas tour since 1991 in London. The five-day event wrapped up on October 19 at Royal Albert Hall, with Hoshoryu defeating Onosato to grab the title.
Back in Japan, Hoshoryu has prepared diligently for the November tournament.
The Mongolian said the frustration of losing to Onosato in the Autumn Basho playoff has kept him fired up about the November tournament.
"I'll never forget that match," Hoshoryu was quoted as saying by Tokyo Shimbun. He added, "I'll channel that frustration into this tournament and win my first championship as a yokozuna."
Sumo Matchups for Day 1
On November 9, Onosato faces komusubi Takayasu in the final bout, and Hoshoryu begins his Kyushu Basho title quest against maegashira No 1 Hakuoho.
Ozeki Kotozakura is penciled in to take on maegashira No 1 Wakatakakage.
Newly promoted Ukrainian sekiwake Aonishiki meets second-ranked maegashira Kirishima. Oho, the other sekiwake, takes on maegashira No 2 Wakamotoharu.
Komusubi Takanosho faces third-ranked maegashira Hiradoumi.
Check out the full schedule and results on the Japan Sumo Association's official website.
RELATED:
- Sumo in London: Hoshoryu Wins the Crowd-Pleasing Exhibition Tournament
- ODDS and EVENS | Aonishiki Forges Ahead with Ambitious Sumo Goals
Figure Skating
Kagiyama, Sakamoto Defend NHK Trophy Titles
Yuma Kagiyama won his third consecutive NHK Trophy men's title on Saturday, November 8 in Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture. On the same day, Kaori Sakamoto triumphed in the women's event for the second year in a row.
Kagiyama had the top score in the men's short program (98.58) on Friday. He followed that strong performance in his free skate to "Turandot" to finish with 287.24 points. The 2022 Beijing Olympic silver medalist fell during a quadruple toeloop attempt, but he successfully landed six triple jumps and received 188.86 points.
"My free skating was bearable," Kagiyama said, according to the International Skating Union website. "Of course, there was the fall on [my] quad toe, but I didn't panic. I was able to change my mindset and do all the other elements, so that is a great takeaway."
Shun Sato, the winner of October's Cup of China, placed second (285.71), finishing with the top mark in the free skate (189.04).
Switzerland's Lukas Britschgi hauled in the bronze (246.94).
Sakamoto Stays Sharp in Free Skate
In the women's event at Towa Pharmaceutical Ractab Dome, Sakamoto topped the leaderboard after the short program with 77.05 points. She held a more than nine-point lead over Kazakhstan's Sofia Samodelkina heading into Saturday's free skate.
Sakamoto maintained her position as the points leader in the free skate (150.13) to seal the victory with 227.18, the top score among women's skaters in a Grand Prix Series event in 2025.
"Skating in an international tournament in my home region of Kansai, with many of my close acquaintances watching on, I'm relieved to have put in a good performance," Sakamoto said, according to Kyodo News.
Samodelkina placed second (200.00) and Belgium's Loena Hendrickx was third (198.97).
Italy's Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii won the pairs competition (208.58), and Great Britain's Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson triumphed in the ice dance (205.88).
Baseball
Darvish to Miss 2026 Season After Undergoing Elbow Surgery
San Diego Padres pitcher Yu Darvish won't pitch during the 2026 MLB season after having surgery to mend the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.
The Padres announced on November 4 that Darish had undergone the medical procedure the previous week.
In Arlington, Texas, Dr Keith Meister performed "an internal brace procedure on his ulnar collateral ligament and a flexor tendon repair," on October 29, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
Darvish made 15 starts in 2025, posting a 5-5 record with a 5.38 ERA. Due to elbow inflammation, he was sidelined for the first three months of the season and made his 2025 debut on July 7.
The 39-year-old has a six-year contract that expires after the 2028 season. So there's plenty of time for him to prepare for his comeback.
"I will not be able to pitch in games during the 2026 season," Darvish wrote on social media. "[But] I will work hard on my rehabilitation to be able to throw a ball comfortably again."
Veteran Pitcher Imanaga Becomes a Free Agent
Shota Imanaga has become a free agent after pitching the past two seasons for the Chicago Cubs.
The Cubs decided not to exercise a three-year option on his contract, it was first reported on Tuesday, November 4. Imanaga would have received $57 million USD (¥8.7 billion JPY) in salary from 2026-28.
The veteran left-hander rejected a one-year player option ($15 million USD, or ¥2.3 billion) for next season.
In 2024, Imanaga had a 15-3 record in his first MLB season. He went 9-8 with a 3.73 ERA in 2025, struggling in the closing weeks of the season. In his last 10 starts, he was the winning pitcher in only one. He had a 6.51 ERA in September.
Imanaga can still return to the Cubs in 2026 if he accepts a $22.025 million (about ¥3.4 billion) qualifying offer. That amount equals the average salary of the 125 highest-paid MLB players in 2025.
Japanese Baseball Hall of Famer Hirose Dies at 89
Former Nankai Hawks star Yoshinori Hirose, who spent his entire career with the Pacific League team, died on November 2. He was 89.
The cause was heart failure, according to published reports.
Hirose made his NPB debut in 1956 and played for the Hawks until 1977, appearing in 2,190 games. He retired with 596 stolen bases. Only fellow Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Yutaka Fukumoto, who starred for the Hankyu Braves (1969-88), has had more steals (1,065) in NPB history.
A Hiroshima Prefecture native, Hirose captured five consecutive PL stolen base titles, starting in 1961. This included a career-high 72 steals in '64.
Primarily deployed as an outfielder, Hirose was also a skilled leadoff hitter. A career .282 hitter, Hirose led the PL in batting in 1964 with a .366 average.
Hirose managed the Hawks from 1978-80.
He was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999.
Nowadays, the only franchise he played for is now known as the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.
RELATED:
Basketball
Tominaga Making a Big Impact for Levanga
Nearly one-fourth of the 2025-26 B.League season is completed, and the Levanga Hokkaido are one of the league's most-improved teams this season.
First-year head coach Torsten Loibl deserves credit for spearheading the team's turnaround.
Hokkaido is coming off a 21-39 season in 2024-25. The team raised its record to 9-4 with an 84-78 win over the Ibararki Robots on Wednesday, November 5. In that game, shooting guard Keisei Tominaga scored eight of his 17 points in the fourth quarter.
Tominaga, who suited up for the NBA G League's Indiana Mad Ants last season, leads the Levanga in scoring (17.0 points per game).
He has scored in double figures in all but two games and put 20 or more points on the board five times. This includes a season-best 24-point effort on October 12 in an away game against the Hiroshima Dragonflies.
In that 98-97 triumph over Hiroshima, Tominaga helped ignite Hokkaido's comeback. He had three of his game-best six 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.
The Levanga trailed 67-41 at halftime. They outscored the hosts 28-10 in the fourth quarter en route to a hard-earned victory in their fourth game of the new season.
Insights About and From Tominaga
"I believe there's a difference between a 'good player' and a 'competitive player,' " Loibl told reporters after the game. "A good player is someone who can make shots, while a player who makes a difference is someone who can make baskets in crucial moments. I think there's a significant distinction."
Loibl then said, "I see Tomonaga as a competitive player, [and] I believe his long-range shots in the second half today gave the team momentum."
It was a confidence-boosting victory for Tominaga and his teammates.
Although the odds were against them to overcome a 26-point halftime deficit against the Dragonflies, the Levanga demonstrated that they are a mentally tough team.
"I believe we can beat any team if we just keep focusing on executing what we need to do on the court," Tominaga said after the October 12 game.
Known for his penchant for 3-point shots, Tominaga has given the team a boost with his mid-range shots and attack-the-basket plays on offense. He's shooting 50% from 2-point range, including 44-for-85 in the paint.
Struggling Brave Thunders Part Ways with Ginzburg
The Kawasaki Brave Thunders dropped to 2-11 with a 76-65 road loss to the Koshigaya Alphas on Wednesday, November 5.
Two days later, the B.League squad announced that it was making a coaching change, and head coach Ronen "Nino" Ginzburg would no longer be in charge.
Longtime assistant coach Geoffrey Katsuhisa, who also serves as a Japan national team assistant, was promoted as Ginzburg's successor.
Ginzburg was in his second season with Kawasaki. The club had an 18-42 record in 2024-25.
"To everyone in the Kawasaki Brave Thunders family, thank you," the Israeli-born Ginzburg said in a statement. "This journey has ended sooner than I had hoped. Nevertheless, I am deeply grateful for the trust, support and passion shown by the players, staff and our wonderful fans.
"No matter how difficult the times, your energy made every game special. I sincerely wish the club continued success. My respect and gratitude for all of you will never change."
Quotes of the Week
"It was a tough old day. We got beaten in some key areas of the game and any ball we did get was in a very negative situation and so we struggled to get into the game. It shows that there is a big gap to where South Africa is and where we are. But for this young team, it's an experience you don't want to have, but you need to have, to realize how big a gap it is."
―Japan rugby head coach Eddie Jones, on the Brave Blossoms' 61-7 defeat to two-time reigning Rugby World Cup champion South Africa on November 1 at Wembley Stadium in London. The Brave Blossoms resumed their autumn tour on November 8 against Ireland in Dublin.
"I'm nervous, as this is my first fight since moving up. I've gained muscular strength, so I want to see how I can demonstrate it. I want to feel my growth for myself."
―Boxer Junto Nakatani, on making his super bantamweight debut against Mexico's Sebastian Hernandez Reyes on December 27 in Riyadh, Kyodo News reported.
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.
