The Kashima Antlers, the most successful club in J.League history, grabbed their ninth title on the final day of the 2025 season.
Leo Ceara scored the match's first goal in the 20th minute. The Brazilian forward extended the lead to 2-0 in the 57th minute with his league-best 21st goal against visiting Yokohama F Marinos on Saturday, December 6 at Mercari Stadium.
Marinos midfielder Jun Amano spoiled Kashima's shutout bid with a goal in second-half stoppage time before an announced crowd of 37,079.
The Antlers' 2-1 triumph put the finishing touches on a superb season under first-year manager Toru Oniki. He previously led Kawasaki Frontale to J.League titles in 2017, 2018, 2020 and '21.
"The players played with confidence right until the end," Oniki told reporters after the match. "I believe the atmosphere at Mercari Stadium made that possible. Still, I think the players felt the pressure too, and it wasn't an easy game. Within that, they fought tenaciously. They were truly dependable. I think the players did a great job."
In 2024, Kashima finished in fifth place in the 20-team league.
This season, the Antlers (23-7-8, 76 points) finished one point ahead of runner-up Kashiwa Reysol (21-12-5, 75) in the standings.
Kashima Antlers Match Expectations in 2025 Season
Based on their past success in winning a J.League record eight titles, there were lofty expectations when Oniki was named the new manager of the Kashima Antlers in December 2024.
Oniki had already won more J.League titles (four) than any other boss in league history during his previous managerial post.
After Saturday's match, a reporter asked Oniki to share his personal feelings about winning the title during his first season with the Antlers.
"I feel a strong sense of relief," Oniki replied. "It's almost frightening to imagine what the atmosphere would have been like if we hadn't won the title here."
Oniki then said, "It's really about the passion. I'm proud to have worked with passionate people and fought alongside passionate supporters. It's overwhelming. There's nothing more to say. That's how I feel."
Prior to Saturday, the Kashima Antlers had collected J.League titles in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2016.
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Japan, Netherlands to Clash in Teams' 2026 FIFA World Cup Opener
The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw was held on Friday night, December 5, in Washington. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the top leaders of the United States, Mexico and Canada, the three nations that will co-host the 48-team extravaganza, attended the ceremony.
Twelve groups of four were unveiled for the group phase of the tournament.
Japan was given a Group F assignment along with the Netherlands, Tunisia and a TBD team (Albania, Poland, Sweden or Ukraine) from a European playoff in March 2026.
The 18th-ranked Samurai Blue will meet world No 7 Netherlands in the teams' World Cup opener on June 14 in Dallas, Texas.
Japan takes on Tunisia on June 20 in Monterrey, Mexico, then meets the TBD team in its final Group F match in Dallas on June 25.
"I felt we were drawn in an extremely tough group," Samurai Blue manager Hajime Moriyasu said, according to Reuters. "The Netherlands are one of the world's top nations ― they haven't won one yet, but have been to the final."
He added, "Tunisia had nine wins and a draw in the qualifiers without conceding, very solid and astute."
Moriyasu then outlined the national team's goals for the World Cup.
"I want our players to make their presence felt in daily activities at their clubs to win the fierce battle for the World Cup squad," Moriyasu stated. "We have a shared goal of winning the World Cup. I know it won't be easy, but I want us to prepare with confidence. We can definitely do it."
Figure Skating
Malinin Breaks Free Skate Points Record in Grand Prix Final
American Ilia Malinin, the two-time reigning world champion, delivered a masterful performance that will be remembered for years to come in the men's free skate at the Grand Prix Final.
On Saturday night, December 7, Malinin landed seven quadruple jumps, becoming the first skater to do so in a single performance. That propelled him to a record 238.24 points in his free skate routine in Nagoya.
Malinin won the men's title for the two-day competition with 332.29 points, giving him a third consecutive Grand Prix Final crown.
The 21-year-old Malinin was thrilled with his performance.
"This is one of the best skates I've ever had," Malinin said, according to The Associated Press. "I went out on the ice and I had to fight for every single element. And I was so glad I was able to do that in front of the Japanese crowd."
He added: "The Grand Prix Final is a place for me to try new things and new elements to give myself an understanding of what is possible, especially this year with the Olympics [coming up in February 2026]."
Japan's Yuma Kagiyama and Shun Sato placed second and third with 302.41 and 292.08 points, respectively.
Liu Wins Women's Title at GP Final
In the women's competition, 2025 world champion Alysa Liu of the United States triumphed with 272.49 points on Saturday. Rising Japanese star Ami Nakai, 17, collected the silver medal (220.89) and three-time world champ Kaori Sakamoto was third (218..86). Also for Japan, Mone Chiba stumbled from first place after Friday's short program to fifth place overall with a shaky free skate.
On Friday, two-time world champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara finished atop the standings in the pairs competition, winning with 225.21 points.
Shimada Earns 4th Straight JGP Final Title
In the Junior Grand Prix Final, also held in Nagoya, teenage starlet Mao Shimada claimed her record fourth consecutive women's title on Friday. She had a top score of 218.13 points, a season-high total.
Compatriot Mei Okada hauled in the bronze with 195.82 points.
Japan's Rio Nakata was the men's junior silver medalist (249.70).
Rugby
Japan to Face France, US and Samoa in 2027 RWC Pool Play
The draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup was held on Wednesday, December 3, and the 24 qualified national teams received their spots for the quadrennial event.
Japan is grouped in Pool E with France, the United States and Samoa.
Looking ahead to the Rugby World Cup, Brave Blossoms head coach Eddie Jones said, "The draw has been finalized, and we have two years to go before the World Cup. A line has been drawn in the sand, so we know who we are going to play and who we've got to prepare for."
From Jones' perspective, what's the key to success for Japan at the 2027 tournament?
"It's now about maximizing the next two years to ensure we go to the World Cup as the best prepared team in the tournament," Jones told a news conference.
Two-time reigning champion South Africa headlines Pool B.
Seven Australian cities are set to host 2027 RWC matches (October 1-November 13): Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney and Townsville.
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Baseball
Swallows Name Former Star Aoki the Team's New GM
Longtime Tokyo Yakult Swallows outfielder Norichika Aoki was appointed the Central League team's new general manager on Friday, December 5.
Aoki, 43, retired at the end of the 2024 season. He suited up for the Swallows from 2004-11 and from 2018-24. In between, he played for seven MLB teams.
The resignation of Junji Ogawa, the Swallows' current GM, takes effect on December 31.
Aoki is set to take over this important leadership post on New Year's Day.
The Swallows had the CL's worst record (57-79-9) in 2025, a season in which Aoki served as a special adviser to Ogawa.
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Basketball
Hachimura Lifts Lakers with Game-Winning Shot
On the final play of the game, Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura nailed a buzzer-beating 3-pointer against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, December 3.
Hachimura's clutch shot gave the Lakers a 123-120 road triumph at Scotiabank Arena.
In the 357th regular-season contest of Hachimura's NBA career, he made his first buzzer-beater at the end of a game.
"I never had a buzzer beater like that," Hachimura said, according to Kyodo News. "It's like one of those situations that every basketball player dreams [about]."
Hachimura described it as "a great feeling."
After a Lakers timeout, future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame first-ballot inductee LeBron James passed the ball to Hachimura, who sank the game-ending shot from the corner.
James' streak of 1,297 consecutive double-digit scoring games came to an end. He finished with eight points and 11 assists.
Instead of passing the ball to Hachimura, he could've attempted to extend his scoring streak on LA's final possession.
James later said that thought never crossed his mind.
"Just playing the game the right way. You always make the right play," James was quoted as saying by The Associated Press. "That's just been my MO (modus operandi)."
The NBA's all-time leading scorer added, "That's how I was taught the game. I've done that my whole career."
James' streak of consecutive games with 10 or more points began in January 2007.
Hachimura said he's in awe of James' basketball skills and on-court leadership.
"That's what he's been doing his whole career," Hachimura said, according to Kyodo News. "He just lets the game come to him, he never forces anything."
Alvark Sign Former NBA Big Man Kaminsky
Veteran power forward/center Frank Kaminsky, a first-round pick of the NBA's Charlotte Hornets in 2015, has signed a contract to play for the B.League's Alvark Tokyo.
The Alvark's acquisition of the 32-year-old Kaminsky was announced on Friday, December 5.
Kaminsky has played in 413 NBA games (49 starts) for the Hornets (2015-19), Phoenix Suns (2019-22), Atlanta Hawks (2022-23) and Houston Rockets (2023). He has career averages of 8.8 points and 3.8 rebounds in the world's top basketball league.
The 213-cm Kaminsky attended the University of Wisconsin.
"I am honored to have the opportunity to play for the formidable team, Alvark Tokyo," Kaminsky said in a team-issued statement.
He added, "I will give my all with a 'for-the-team' mindset, ensuring my experience throughout my career contributes to victory. Thank you for your passionate support."
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Horse Racing
Lemaire Ranks 1st in Victories Among JRA Jockeys
Frenchman Christophe Lemaire is the leading jockey in the Japan Racing Association as the 2025 season nears its finish.
According to the JRA's latest data (as of December 6), Lemaire is No 1 this season with 131 wins.
Keita Tosaki is second (125), followed by Kohei Matsuyama (116), Takeshi Yokoyama (107) and Ryusei Sakai (104).
In addition to total wins, Lemaire is first in win ratio (27.1%), top two ratio (48.2%) and top three ratio (61.1%). Of Lemaire's 483 races, he's been the runner-up 102 times and finished third on 62 occasions.
Lemaire is a six-time recipient of the JRA's season-victories title.
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Quotes of the Week
"I lost two seconds [on the final lap] and felt like I wasn't doing too well, but the others also had slower times than I expected. It was a strange feeling. I thought it would be tough to get on the podium, so I'm glad I was able to make it. I'm deeply regretting my lack of finishing ability at the end."
―Speed skater Miho Takagi, on finishing in second place in a women's 1,000-meter event on December 5, Kyodo News reported. Takagi completed the race in 1 minute, 14.29 seconds at the ISU Speed Skating World Cup meet in Heerenveen, Netherlands. The Netherlands' Jutta Leerdam triumphed in 1:14.17. Takagi, 31, won the 1,000-meter gold medal at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
"I know a wig needs hair donation by not only a single person but by a number of people, but I'll be happy if my only slight contribution helps make a wig for someone."
―Chunichi Dragons pitcher Hioroto Fuku, on the donation of his hair during the summer of 2025 for a positive cause. Fuku supported efforts to collect hair for wigs being made for children who have lost hair due to cancer, Jiji Press recently reported. According to the news agency's report, Fuku had gone three years without a haircut before he decided to get it trimmed in June.
Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
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