Category: Sports

At the Asian Games currently underway in Nagoya, Aichi, in the men’s table tennis singles quarterfinals, world No. 4 Tomokazu Harimoto (Toyota Motor) lost 3-4 in a full-game battle to world No. 344 Noshad Alamiyan of Iran. Harimoto had just won gold in the team event at this tournament, and the loss to an opponent ranked more than 300 spots below him was seen as a major upset. On 5ch, opinions were divided over the cause of the defeat — some pointed to fatigue from the team competition, others viewed the opponent as an experienced veteran, and some even suggested that world rankings don’t accurately reflect real skill.

9/26 (Sat) 18:05

◆Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, Day 8, Table Tennis (26th, Skyhall Toyota)

In the men’s singles quarterfinals, ace and world No. 4 Tomokazu Harimoto (Toyota Motor) suffered a shock defeat, falling 3-4 (9-11●, 7-11●, 11-3○, 6-11●, 16-14○, 11-6○, 9-11●) to world No. 344 Noshad Alamiyan (Iran).

Source: news.yahoo.co.jp / Original article here

*This article is compiled from excerpts and a summary of the 5ch (Geisports Sokuho+) thread “[Asian Games] Table Tennis: Tomokazu Harimoto Stunned — Shock Upset in Singles Quarterfinal, Full-Game Loss to World No. 344 Iranian Player.”

In the Asian Games women’s marathon, Mikuni Yada (26, Edion) claimed bronze with a time of 2:27:56 — Japan’s first women’s medal in the event in two Games, following Keiko Nogami’s silver at the 2018 Jakarta Games. Past the 22km mark, Cherimo of Bahrain, who was running ahead, fell, and Yada was caught up in it and went down too — but she got straight back up, stuck with the lead pack, and finished within medal position. On the thread, people compared it to the famous “I fell down!” episode involving runner Hiromi Taniguchi and debated just how competitive Asian Games marathon fields really are, though some crude comments about the runner’s looks and body also showed up.

The women’s marathon was held, and Mikuni Yada (26, Edion) took bronze with a time of 2:27:56. It’s Japan’s first women’s medal in the event in two Games, since Keiko Nogami’s silver at the 2018 Jakarta Games. Sayaka Sato (32, Sekisui Chemical) finished 4th in 2:28:14.

In light rain, 18 runners started at 7:50 a.m. After leaving the stadium, Sato — who represented Japan at the 2023 and 2025 World Championships — led a pack of 10. The pace stayed slow through 15km, then Yada broke away past the 17km mark, narrowing the group to 8.

Past the 22km mark, Cherimo (Bahrain), who was running ahead, fell. Yada was caught up in it and fell too, but got straight back up and kept running with the pack.

Source: sponichi.co.jp / Original article here

*This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Geinou/Sports News+) thread “[Asian Games] Women’s marathon: Mikuni Yada takes bronze after falling at 22km! Japan’s first medal in the event in two Games — she overcame the fall to bring courage to her hometown of Kumamoto.”

Japan national team midfielder Junya Ito (Genk) has reportedly been ranked world No. 2 among the “most underrated players of all time” by the overseas outlet “football-tribe.” Ito also set up Ayase Ueda’s goal in the September 24 Kirin Challenge Cup 2026 match against Uruguay, keeping his form sharp even after the World Cup. Reactions on 5channel were split: many posts focused purely on football merit, comparing him to Kaoru Mitoma and Ritsu Doan and floating candidates for Japan’s next-generation center forward, while others speculated about why his profile hasn’t translated into recognition or sponsorships to match.

Junya Ito ranked world No. 2! “One of the most underrated players ever”

Written by: Shota, 2026.09.25, 10:11 am

Japan national team midfielder Junya Ito (Genk) provided the assist for forward Ayase Ueda’s (Lille) goal in the September 24 Kirin Challenge Cup 2026 match against Uruguay. Having stayed in top form even after the FIFA World Cup in North/Central America, his reputation appears to be climbing overseas too, with his remarkable record in full internationals also drawing attention.

Source: football-tribe.com / Original article here

*This article is compiled and summarized from the 5channel (Entertainment & Sports News+) thread “[Football] Junya Ito ranked world No. 2! “One of the most underrated players ever”.”

At the Asian Games men’s marathon, Kazutaka Yamashita (29, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries) won gold with a time of 2:10:49. Nineteen runners took off in light rain, and after the pack’s pace picked up past the 15km mark and dropped several runners, Yamashita moved to the front around the 30km mark and pulled away in the closing stretch after a head-to-head duel with India’s Balwar, finishing solo for the win. On 5ch threads, congratulatory comments mixed with a cooler take on the race’s overall level — remarks like “it’s only Asia, after all” and “he only won because no African runners were there” — sparking a debate over how to judge a low-2:10s finishing time, whether pacemakers were used, and how marathon records get officially certified.

The men’s marathon was held, and Kazutaka Yamashita (29, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries) won gold with a time of 2:10:49.

Nineteen runners took part in light rain, starting at 7:30 a.m. A lead pack of 16 formed, with the front constantly shuffling at a slow pace. Past the 15km mark the pace suddenly picked up, and Yuya Yoshida (29, GMO Internet Group) fell off here.

Yamashita, who had calmly stayed with the lead pack, moved to the front around the 30km mark, and when he picked up the pace the group broke apart. The closing stretch turned into a head-to-head duel with Balwar (India), but Yamashita made his move just before the 36km mark, opened up a gap, and finished solo. His trademark “Ichitaka smile” was on full display.

Source: sponichi.co.jp / Original article here

*This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Entertainment/Sports Breaking News+) thread “[Asian Games] Men’s Marathon: Kazutaka Yamashita Wins Gold! Following in the Footsteps of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Senior Hiroto Inoue.”

The Premier League’s Independent Commission has ruled Manchester City “guilty” on 114 of the 115 charges of financial rule breaches brought against the club. The charges include allegations that City failed to disclose the full amount of payments made to managers and players, among other things, and in the worst case the club could even be expelled from the league. On the forum, skepticism — “this has been said for over ten years, so the actual punishment will probably be light” — clashed with predictions that “this time it’ll really be a relegation-level punishment for breaking the salary cap,” while the 2020 precedent, when UEFA’s sanctions against City were overturned by CAS, also became a point of debate.

England’s Premier League Independent Commission has ruled that Manchester City broke the league’s financial rules. Going forward, the club could face expulsion from the league in the worst-case scenario.

Manchester City was charged with 115 breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules, including failing to fully disclose payments made to managers and players, and had been under investigation by the league’s Independent Commission.

According to the sports news site The Athletic, the Commission found City guilty on 114 of the 115 charges.

Source: news.yahoo.co.jp / Read the original article here

*This article is an excerpt and summary of a 5ch (Geisokuho+) thread, “[Football] Man City could be expelled from the Premier League in the worst case — ruled guilty of financial rule violations.”

On September 25, Nadeshiko Japan (the Japan women’s national team) cruised to a 4-0 win over the Philippines in the quarterfinals of the Asian Games women’s soccer tournament, advancing to the final four. The team went undefeated through the group stage with a perfect 3-0 record, scoring 20 goals and conceding none — but at the match venue, Ecopa Stadium (capacity 50,889), the announced attendance was a mere 1,084, and on 5ch the sparse turnout became the main talking point rather than the win itself. Users compared the draw against the men’s national team’s box-office pull, debated the competitive level of women’s soccer and venue choices, and looked ahead to the semifinal matchup against South Korea.

Next up in the semifinals: South Korea

On September 25, the Japan women’s national team, led by manager Norihisa Kano, faced the Philippines women’s national team at Ecopa Stadium in Shizuoka Prefecture in the Asian Games quarterfinals (the first round of the knockout stage).

Nadeshiko Japan, who went undefeated through the group stage with 20 goals scored and none conceded, opened the scoring just two minutes in. Yuho Shiokoshi’s corner kick was met by Yuki Seno’s header, and Saori Takarada pounced on the rebound to find the back of the net.

Source: soccerdigestweb.com / Original article here

*This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Entertainment/Sports News+) thread “[Soccer] Nadeshiko Japan cruises into the final four en route to a three-peat! Group stage: 20 goals scored, 0 conceded → beats Philippines 4-0! Crowd: 1,084.”

Fuji TV President Kenji Shimizu, speaking at the network’s press conference on the 25th, pointed to the strong performance of sports broadcasts — including Japan’s national football team matches — saying “the buzz around sports content really helped us.” The Round of 16 World Cup match between Japan and Brazil, aired on June 30, reportedly pulled an average household rating of 15.9% in the Kanto region despite a 2 a.m. kickoff. The comment sparked debate on 5channel: some praised the strong ratings for such a late-night slot, while many others questioned the broadcast’s production quality and Fuji’s broader strategy of leaning on sports and anime to prop up its struggling variety and drama lineup.

Fuji TV President Kenji Shimizu held a press conference at the network’s Tokyo headquarters on the 25th.

During the conference, he touched on the strong performance of the network’s live sports broadcasts, saying “the buzz around sports content really helped us.”

Fuji TV broadcast the World Cup in North and Central America live, and the Round of 16 match between Japan and Brazil (2 a.m. kickoff), aired June 30, recorded an average household rating of 15.9% (Kanto region). President Shimizu remarked, “We pulled off a high rating despite it airing in the dead of night.”

Source: nikkansports.com / Original article here

3AnonymousSep 26, 2026 07:49

4AnonymousSep 26, 2026 07:49

This president gives off such a strong "clean-up guy" image (a nickname mashing up 尻拭い/"mopping up messes" with his first name Kenji) that it kind of rubs me the wrong way.

6AnonymousSep 26, 2026 07:49

Broadcast every single Tigers game nationwide already.

*This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5channel (Geinou/Sports News+) thread “[TV] Fuji TV President Shimizu Feels Sports Broadcasts Like Japan’s National Team Matches Are Paying Off: “The Buzz Really Helped Us”.”

The Asian Games men’s 100m final was held on September 25 at Paloma Mizuho Stadium, where Thailand’s Boonsong (20) took the win in 9.90 seconds. Having just set a new Games record of 9.91 in the previous day’s semifinal, he pulled off the feat of breaking both his personal best and the Games record for the second straight day, electrifying the crowd. His start was reportedly nothing special, but what stood out was how he pulled away with a surge in the middle of the race. On 5ch, threads buzzed with surprise (“since when did Thai sprinters get this fast?”) alongside comparisons of how many sub-10-second runners each Asian country has, and debate over what’s behind the improved times.

“Asian Games – Athletics” (25th, Paloma Mizuho Stadium)

In the men’s 100m final, Boonsong (20) of Thailand — who had already set a Games record of 9.91 in the semifinal — broke his own record again, clocking 9.90 to take the gold medal.

His start was about even with the field, but he tore through to the finish with a burst of speed in the middle of the race, once again improving on his own mark. The stadium was abuzz at the birth of a new hero who set a time that raises hopes for success on the world stage.

Source: news.yahoo.co.jp / Original article here

※This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Geinou/Sports News+) thread “[Asian Games] Athletics: Shocking new star in men’s 100m — Thailand’s 20-year-old Boonsong wins gold in 9.90, stadium abuzz after back-to-back Games records following the semifinal.”

On September 24, in an international friendly at Q&A Stadium Miyagi, Japan’s national team faced Uruguay and won 3-1. Kuryu Matsuki, making his senior debut, opened the scoring, and late in the match Kento Shiogai and Ayase Ueda struck the go-ahead and clinching goals. Following the result, Chinese media assessed that “Uruguay just waited for Japan’s mistakes — Japan’s win was a product of skill, not luck.” On 5ch, some welcomed the analysis warmly, while others pointed to the self-deprecating streak in Chinese soccer coverage and noted that Uruguay wasn’t at its best after a long-haul flight, broadening the discussion.

In the international friendly held on September 24, Japan’s national team, led by manager Hajime Moriyasu, faced South American powerhouse Uruguay at Q&A Stadium Miyagi.

In the opening match of the third Moriyasu era following the North/Central American World Cup, Japan took the lead in the 11th minute. Kuryu Matsuki, playing his senior debut, fired home a sharp left-footed strike from distance. But in the 42nd minute, a passing mistake in their own half let Maxi Araújo equalize.

Still, in the 90+1st minute, Kento Shiogai converted a final pass from Ayase Ueda to retake the lead. Five minutes later, Ueda broke through on a perfectly weighted through ball from Junya Ito to seal the win, and Japan claimed a 3-1 victory.

Source: news.yahoo.co.jp / Original article here

*This article is compiled as an excerpt and summary of the 5ch (Geisports Sokuho+) thread ‘[Soccer] Chinese Media: “Uruguay Just Waited for Japan’s Mistakes — Japan’s Win Was a Product of Skill, Not Luck; We Don’t Even Have the Element of Luck”.’

After Japan’s national team beat Uruguay in a friendly match, overseas social media buzzed with sarcastic comments dubbing Japan the “World Champions of Friendlies” — a dig at Japanese football’s habit of underperforming when it actually counts, at the World Cup or Asian Cup. On 5ch, plenty of posters winced right along with it, writing things like “stop, that hits too close to home” and “guilty as charged.” The thread split between people citing Japan’s real wins over Germany and Spain at the World Cup, and others countering with the cold fact that Japan has never won a single World Cup knockout match. Some went further still, floating the cynical theory that invited opponents simply take it easy as a courtesy to keep getting invited back — leaving the thread divided on how much stock to put in friendly-match form.

Is Japan the “World Champion of Friendlies”?! Despite beating Uruguay, overseas social media fires back with biting sarcasm — “But come the World Cup or Asian Cup…” Japanese fans wince too: “Stop, that hits too close to home,” “Guilty as charged”

The World, Friday, September 25, 2026, 12:00 PM

The spirit of East Germany lives on in Japan’s national team…

Source: theworldmagazine.jp / Original article here

*This article is compiled and summarized from the 5ch (Geisokuho+) thread “Is Japan the World Champion of Friendlies?! Despite Beating Uruguay, Overseas Mockery Says “But Come World Cup or Asian Cup Time…” — Japanese Fans: “Stop, That Hits Too Close to Home”“.