Yokozuna Onosato defeats top maegashira Takanosho in a Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament match on July 14, 2026, at IG Arena. (©SANKEI)
After a pair of defeats at the start of the 15-day Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, yokozuna Onosato bounced back with a frontal push-out victory over top maegashira Takanosho on Tuesday, July 14.
At IG Arena, Onosato opened the tourney with back-to-back losses to komusubi Yoshinofuji and maegashira No 1 Fujinokawa.
On the same day that Onosato picked up his first Nagoya Basho victory, fellow yokozuna Hoshoryu, who hails from Mongolia, slipped to 2-1.
Fujinokawa (2-1) overpowered Hoshoryu with a well-executed thrust-down maneuver.
"His opening charge certainly came hard and fast, but I reacted well," the 21-year-old Fujinokawa said, according to Kyodo News.
Sumo Tournament Info
Heading into Day 4, seven wrestlers remain unbeaten in the makuuchi (top) division.
In addition to Kirishima, the sekiwake trio of Aonishiki, Atamifuji and Kotoshoho own 3-0 records, and rank-and-filers Takayasu, Wakanosho and Shishi have had the same success to open the tourney. (Kotoshoho won the 2025 Nagoya Basho, claiming the first Emperor's Cup of his sumo wrestling career.)
Among Wednesday's featured sumo bouts in Nagoya, Hoshoryu faces maegashira No 2 Churanoumi (1-2) and Onosato meets winless Gonoyama. Check out the complete Day 4 schedule on the Japan Sumo Association website.
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Baseball
Marlins Draft Stanford's Sasaki in 8th Round
Rintaro Sasaki was selected by the Miami Marlins in the eighth round (235th overall pick) of the MLB Draft on Sunday, July 12.
The highly touted Stanford University first baseman has two years of eligibility remaining, giving him the option of returning to school instead of turning pro right away.
Another option: joining the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, who chose him No 1 in the 2025 NPB Draft.
Based on established protocol, the Iwate Prefecture native must decide whether to finalize a contract with the Marlins by July 27 or the Hawks before the calendar flips to August.
If he returns to college without signing a contract with either team, Sasaki would remain eligible to be drafted again by NPB clubs in the fall of 2026 and by MLB teams next summer.
Sasaki, 21, slugged 16 home runs and drove in 47 runs in 2026 for Stanford. Starting all 54 games for the Cardinal, he hit .262. He reached base in 50 games, including the team's final 16.
As a freshman in 2025, Sasaki had seven homers, 41 RBIs and a .269 average in 52 games (all starts).
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Golf
Iwai Leads Japanese Contingent at Evian Championship
Akie Iwai had her best performance in an overseas golf major at the Evian Championship, placing third with an 18-under 266 on Sunday, July 12.
In Evian–les-Bains, France, South Korea's Haeran Ryu defeated Canada's Brooke Henderson in a one-hole playoff to capture the title. The two women were tied for first at 19-under 265 at the end of the fourth round.
Ryu also claimed the Women's PGA Championship title in late June.
Iwai carded an 8-under 63 in the opening round, her best 18-hole performance of the tournament.
On the final hole of the fourth round, Iwai needed a birdie to clinch a berth in the playoff. But she missed a birdie putt and had to settle for par.
"I was confident with my putts during the round," Iwai was quoted as saying by Kyodo News.
"I'm pleased to have vied for the title for the first time at a major," the 24-year-old added. "I can definitely make use of it going forward."
Also for Japan, Mao Saigo and Miyuu Yamashita were among three golfers who completed the event at 15-under 269 to finish tied for fourth.
Nakajima Ties for 3rd at Scottish Open
Keita Nakajima had four under-70 rounds in the Genesis Scottish Open and finished in a four-way tie for third place on Sunday, July 12 in North Berwick, Scotland.
Nakajima (67-66-67-67) carded a 13-under 267.
South Korea's Tom Kim won the tournament with a 17-under 263.
It was Nakajima's first top-10 finish on the PGA Tour in 2026.
The 26-year-old Saitama Prefecture native is scheduled to compete at the British Open at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, starting on Thursday.
Basketball
Hachimura Says He's 'Incredibly Excited' to Join Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers newcomer Rui Hachimura believes the NBA franchise is a good fit for him at this stage of his pro basketball career.
"I haven't officially joined yet, but even when talking to other NBA players," Hachimura said in an Instagram reel, "they always rave about how great the Clippers organization is. It's truly a player-first environment, you know? They take care of their players while having that winning mentality."
He continued: "The Clippers are a young team. Two years ago, they were called the oldest team in the league. But they've transitioned to a younger generation, especially with Kawhi Leonard getting traded [to the Toronto Raptors]."
That said, the Leonard trade is officially on hold due to an investigation of alleged salary cap violations by the Clippers.
Hachimura is fired up about his new team. "Joining them right as they build this next generation is huge for me," he said on the reel, "and I'm incredibly excited. And above all, being able to stay in LA is the best outcome for me."
Hachimura, who'll be entering his eighth NBA season in October, left the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent this summer.
The Gonzaga University product signed a two-year contract with the Clippers on July 6.
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.
