In the dynamic realm of sports, where talent transcends borders and stories of perseverance inspire a global audience, Japanese athletes have carved their own indelible mark. As we reflect on the past year, it's with great excitement and pride that we present the top 20 sports stories that captivated readers on our website, each unraveling the tales of extraordinary feats, triumphs, and the indomitable spirit of Japan's athletic stars.
From the adrenaline-fueled arenas to the quieter moments of personal victories, these articles encapsulate the essence of athleticism, cultural pride, and the unyielding dedication that defines Japanese sportsmanship. Join us as we revisit the stories that resonated most with our readers, celebrating the prowess and resilience of Japanese athletes who have become icons on both domestic and international stages.
We express our gratitude to you, our readers, for making these the top 20 sports stories in 2023.
Editor's note: To provide readers with a broader and more enriching experience, showcasing diverse achievements and narratives of Japanese athletes, we've consolidated the always-popular Ice Time into a single entry where appropriate. This decision was made to avoid excessive repetition, given its slew of top 20 placements.
Numbers 10 - 6
10. Kiribayama Defeats Daieisho in Playoff to Capture First Emperor's Cup
By: Jim Armstrong
Mongolian grappler Kiribayama posted back-to-back victories on the final day of the Spring Basho to deny Daieisho his second championship.
9. Mao Shimada Sensational on Way to Winning World Junior Title
By: Jack Gallagher
Seizing the moment, Mao Shimada had a stunning performance highlighted by a triple axel, a quadruple toe loop and a total of eight clean triple jumps.
8. Terunofuji Takes Sole Possession of Summer Basho Lead, But it May Have Come at a Cost
By: Jim Armstrong
The lone yokozuna came down hard on his knees in his Summer Basho bout against sekiwake Wakamotoharu. Terunofuji has battled knee injuries in recent years.
7. Anthony McHenry Shares Memories of Successful Career and Reflects on Legacy
By: Ed Odeven
After a decade with the Ryukyu Golden Kings, including four title-winning seasons, veteran leader Anthony McHenry moved to the Shinshu Brave Warriors in 2017.
6. [ICE TIME] Talented Skater Naoki Rossi Inspired by Visit to His Ancestral Homeland
By: Jack Gallagher
Rossi made it clear that he hopes to follow in the footsteps of Yuzuru Hanyu, the superstar he looked up to as a young boy, and win the Olympic gold medal.
Other ICE TIME stories that placed in the Top 10 grouped below:
- [ICE TIME] Japan Favored to Collect More Medals at Coupe du Printemps
- [ICE TIME] World Championships a Great Success for Japanese Skaters and Organizers
- [ICE TIME] Ami Nakai Clinches Junior Grand Prix Final Berth with a Victory in Istanbul
- [ICE TIME] Coach Tracy Wilson Confident in Rika Kihira's Success Moving Forward
- [ICE TIME] Uno, Sakamoto and Miura/Kihara to Lead Japan in World Team Trophy
- [ICE TIME] For Tomoki Hiwatashi, Move to Japan to Train with Mie Hamada Paying Dividends
- [ICE TIME] Comments by Muramoto, Takahashi Reveal Truth About Developing Ice Dance and Pairs in Japan
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