Saga Hisamitsu Springs players pose for photos after winning the 2025-26 SV.League Women's Championship Finals on April 26 in Yokohama. (©SV.LEAGUE)
The Saga Hisamitsu Springs completed a two-match sweep of the Osaka Marvelous in the SV.League Women's Championship Finals on Sunday, April 26. In Yokohama, Saga clinched the pro volleyball title with a 25-20, 25-23, 25-14 win.
A day earlier, Saga triumphed 3-2 (25-21, 28-26, 19-21, 23-25, 15-10) over the 2024-25 title-winning squad at Yokohama Buntai.
Opposite hitter Stephanie Samedy, a former University of Minnesota player, led the Springs with 23 points in Sunday's match. She finished with 44 total points (42 on attack) in the SV.League Finals.
Saga libero Minami Nishimura had an impactful performance on defense in the weekend series, which was a key in many of her team's rallies. Nishimura was named Finals MVP.
"I was honestly surprised that a libero could win the MVP award, but I'm very happy," Nishimura told reporters after Sunday's match.
She added, "I faced many difficulties in the semifinals, but heading into the final, I had the confidence that if I could keep the ball alive, we would win. I feel both joy and relief after winning the championship."
During the regular season, Saga finished in second place with a 36-8 record, a six-win improvement from the 2024-25 campaign.
Osaka was fourth with a 30-14 record.
Coach Nakada Proud of Saga's Achievement
Under new head coach Kumi Nakada, the Springs achieved their top goal this season.
"To be honest, my feeling right now is more of relief than excitement," Nakada said. "I returned to the sidelines [after nine seasons] with a clear mission from the team — to win the championship — and with the mindset that nothing less than the title would be acceptable. In that sense, I'm very pleased that we were able to accomplish that mission."
Nakada added, "I am very proud of the team for continuing to fight until the very end throughout a long and challenging season. We hope to come back even stronger next season and take on this challenge once again."
Men's Volleyball in the Spotlight
The SV.League Men's Championship Finals are set for May 15-17 at Yokohama Arena.
Sumo
JSA Chief Hakkaku Receives Freedom of City of London
Hakkaku was honored by the City of London on Friday, April 24.
During a visit to Britain, the Japan Sumo Association chairman received the Freedom of the City of London, a tradition that dates back to the 13th century.
Chris Hayward, the City of London Corporation policy chairman, explained why Hakkaku, a former yokozuna, received the honor.
"The Freedom of the City of London can be offered to individuals to recognize their outstanding talent or expertise in their chosen field and, as a much respected and revered figure in the sumo arena, Nobuyoshi Hakkaku has it in abundance," Hayward said, according to a news release.
"I am delighted to send my congratulations to Chairman Hakkaku on being admitted into the Freedom, and hope that he will have happy memories of the ceremony for many years to come."
In 1991, the grand champion who was then known as Hokutoumi, traveled to London to compete in a sumo tournament. He returned in 2025 as JSA chairman when the next London Basho was held.
"On each occasion, I have wonderful memories of being welcomed by Londoners and being engulfed by their warm cheers," said Hakkaku, who added, "I am very honored to receive the Freedom of the City of London."
Hakkaku said he accepted the honor "on behalf of the rikishi (wrestlers) and members of the Japan Sumo Association, because it is not an individual accomplishment, and owes much to everyone's contributions to sustain the Japanese traditions and culture of grand sumo."
Basketball
Brex Clinch B.League's East Title
The defending B.League champion Utsunomiya Brex built a 19-point lead by the end of the first quarter against the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins on Sunday afternoon, April 26.
Utsunomiya shot 61.5% (32 of 52) in its 90-74 road victory.
With the win, the Brex (44-14) clinched the Eastern Conference title. They close out the 2025-26 regular season with a two-game series against the Ryukyu Golden Kings on May 2 and 3 at Nikkan Arena Tochigi.
On Sunday, before a crowd of 13,000-plus fans at IG Arena, Grant Jerrett led the Brex with 26 points and 12 rebounds. Two-time B.League MVP DJ Newbill contributed nine points and 10 assists, and backcourt mate Atsuya Ogawa had 11 points on 5-for-6 shooting. Ogawa finished two points shy of his season-high scoring output (on January 31 against the Gunma Crane Thunders).
Brex head coach Zico Coronel said the upcoming series against the Golden Kings (41-17) can be a good test for his club before the playoffs.
"There's even a possibility, of course, that we play Ryukyu and then we play them again in the playoffs," Coronel told reporters after Sunday's game. "So this is a good opportunity to build our habits."
Coronel used a food analogy to explain his objective for the two weekend games.
"So there won't be any sprinkles or chocolate chips, but we want to have the best vanilla ice cream that we can possibly present [to the fans] this weekend," the coach said.
RELATED:
Serbian Squad Wins FIBA 3x3 Season-Opening Event in Utsunomiya
Serbia's Liman went 5-0 in the 2026 FIBA 3x3 World Tour season-opening tournament to capture the title on Sunday, April 26.
In Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, Liman defeated Germany's Skyliners 21-15 in the championship game.
Dorde Simeunovic paced Liman with eight points, and tourney MVP Andreja Milutinovic poured in seven. The Serbian squad led 8-3 in the early going and 12-4 at halftime.
Milutinovic scored on a putback to seal the win at Futaarayama Jinja (Shrine).
Fourteen teams from 11 nations participated in the 3x3 World Tour event in Utsunomiya. Teams from Utsunomiya, Shinagawa (Tokyo) and Hiratsuka (Kanagawa Prefecture) represented Japan.
The next stop on the tour is in Chengdu, China, on May 2-3.
Golf
Takeda, Katsu Tie for 12th at Chevron Championship
American Nelly Korda triumphed in The Chevron Championship, the LPGA Tour's first major of 2026. She finished the tournament with an 18-under 270, a five-stroke win over Thailand's Patty Tavatanakit on Sunday, April 26.
In Houston, Rio Takeda and Minami Katsu were Japan's top finishers. Along with seven others they tied for 12th at 4-under 284.
Mao Saigo, the 2025 tournament champion, struggled throughout the four-round competition, finishing in an eight-way tie for 59th at 4-over 292 (73-71-74-74).
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.
