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[JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] MLB Spotlight: Imanaga, Yamamoto to Start in the Season Opener in Tokyo
The 2025 MLB season commences with the Tokyo Series on March 18-19, putting the spotlight on the Chicago Cubs and the reigning champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
After winning 15 games in his debut season in MLB, Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga was named the team's starting pitcher for its season-opening game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Cubs made the announcement on social media on Tuesday, February 18.
Several days earlier, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he will hand the Game 1 start to right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Yamamoto is also entering his second season in the major leagues.
Cubs president Jed Hoyer said it's a no-brainer for the Cubs to start Imanaga in the opener of the Tokyo Series on March 18.
"Obviously because we're going to be in Japan it makes total sense to have Shota going Game 1," Hoyer said, according to the Chicago Tribune. "I think it's going to be awesome, honestly. They're starting Yamamoto, we're starting Shota..."
Hoyer went on: "Fan interest worldwide is going to be off the charts. An awesome thing for the game of baseball. Dave Roberts and I were talking about that the other night — this is great for the game."
Imanaga 'Honored' to Start MLB Opener Against the Dodgers
Imanaga, a former Yokohama DeNA BayStars standout, was happy to be informed that he'll pitch against Yamamoto at Tokyo Dome.
"I believe I heard this will be the first time in MLB two Japanese pitchers face off in a series in Japan," Imanaga was quoted as saying by the Chicago Tribune.
Speaking at Chicago's spring training complex in Mesa, Arizona, he added, "I'm very honored and have to say that the reason the Japanese players are getting a lot of attention is because of all the Japanese players in the past who came before us and created this path. We're walking in their history. Thank you to all of them."
Angels Newcomer Kikuchi to Start MLB Opener
Veteran left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, who signed a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels in the offseason, will start the American League West club's season-opening game on March 27.
Kikuchi will pitch in the opener on the road against the Chicago White Sox, the Angels announced on Thursday, February 20.
How did the 33-year-old react to the news?
"I'm very honored, and I'll prepare well," Kikuchi told reporters in Tempe, Arizona, according to Kyodo News. He added, "I feel that the level and value of Japanese pitchers are on the rise."
Kikuchi continued: "I've always wanted to pitch on Opening Day. It's important to stay in the rotation all year. I hope to get off to a good start and try to stay fit to have at least 32 starts this year."
Pitching for the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros in 2024, Kikuchi made 32 starts and finished with a 9-10 win-loss record with a 4.05 ERA.
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Boxing
Nakatani, Cuellar Ready to Rumble in Title Bout
The WBC bantamweight championship belt will be on the line at Tokyo's Ariake Arena on Monday, February 24, with titleholder Junto Nakatani facing sixth-ranked challenger David Cuellar of Mexico.
Nakatani (29-0, 22 knockouts) will be making his third title defense.
Cuellar (28-8, 18 KOs) is set for his first world title bout.
"My preparations are going well," Nakatani told a news conference on Saturday, February 22, Jiji Press reported. "I'm really looking forward to it."
Nakatani clearly stated his intentions for the fight, noting that the 174-cm Cuellar presents a big target for him.
"I feel that my opponent is a little bigger than me," the 173-cm Nakatani was quoted as saying by Nikkan Sports. "That gives me a wider range of places to hit. I want to hit him in various places and inflict damage."
Nakatani added, "I want to win against the challenger and get a solid evaluation to go for the title unification fight."
Looking ahead to the fight, Cuellar expressed excitement and confidence.
"I'm highly motivated and full of ambition and I'm at my weight limit (122 pounds)," Cuellar said, according to Nikkan Sports. "All I have to do now is get in the ring, so I'm very excited."
Cuellar added, "I am confident that we can have a very good match."
He then said, "I want to fight like a Mexican and expect a lot of punches. [And] I want to fight on behalf of Mexico and bring home the title."
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Basketball
Hachimura Grabs Season-High 12 Rebounds in Win Against Blazers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura scored in double figures in 10 consecutive games through February 19.
On Thursday, February 20, Hachimura finished with six points and a season-best 12 rebounds in the Lakers' 110-102 road victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.
The new-look Lakers improved to 33-21. They are also getting acclimated to the skills of Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic, whom they acquired from the Dallas Mavericks in an early February trade for Anthony Davis.
Hachimura is averaging 13.3 points and 5.4 rebounds in his sixth NBA season.
On his 27th birthday (February 8), Hachimura scored a season-high 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a 124-117 home win over the Indiana Pacers. It was the Lakers' 11th win in 13 games.
Discussing his role on the team with reporters in mid-February, Hachimura said he's ready to pick up the slack if a teammate is injured.
"When we're missing a star, then it's my turn," Hachimura said, according to Kyodo News. "It's great if we have a player who can step up at times like that, and I can become that kind of player."
Volleyball
Akbas Hired to Lead Japan Women's National Team
Turkish mentor Ferhat Akbas is the Japan women's volleyball national team's new head coach.
The Japan Volleyball Association made the announcement on Friday, February 21.
Akbas, 38, is the first foreigner to be named head coach of the Japan women's team. He replaced Masayoshi Manabe, 61, in a generational change of leadership.
With Akbas in charge, Japan will be seeking its first Olympic medal since the 2012 London Games (bronze) at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
"I am deeply honored to be part of Japan's rich volleyball tradition and extremely proud to be the first foreign head coach of the Japanese women's national team," Akbas said in a statement.
He added, "I fully understand the magnitude of the challenge ahead, but I have every confidence in the players, the staff and the federation. With our combined efforts and dedication, I know we can take this team to new heights. I feel a deep connection to the Japanese culture of discipline, resilience and teamwork, and I am committed to contributing to our success. [And] I am looking forward to the journey ahead."
Japan is currently No 7 in the world rankings.
Akbas, who served as a Japan assistant coach under Kumi Nakada from 2017-18, is set to make his debut as the Japan boss on June 4. On that day, Japan faces the Netherlands in an FIVB Women's Volleyball Nations League match in Ottawa, Canada.
Track and Field
Yamanishi Breaks World Record in 20-Kilometer Race Walk
Two-time world champion Toshikazu Yamanishi broke compatriot Yusuke Suzuki's world record in the men's 20-km race walk on Sunday, February 16.
A day after his 29th birthday, Yamanishi triumphed at the Japanese 20-km Race Walking Championships in Kobe, completing the race in 1 hour, 16 minutes and 10 seconds.
Suzuki etched his name in the record book with a time of 1:16.36 in 2015.
Yamanishi, the bronze medalist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, took a commanding lead at the 15-km mark, separating himself from the two closest challengers by 24 seconds.
"I'm glad 'time' came along with my efforts today," Yamanishi said after the race. "The guys made a good rhythm in the first half of the race and I figured I'd make a move in the latter part of the race. My movement didn't really feel right in the beginning. It wasn't easy, but I was able to make the adjustments to find the right rhythm.
"When I was planning my race, whatever happened in the race I was aiming for the world record," he added.
Also Sunday, Nanako Fujii won the women's 20-km national title in 1:26.33. It was the fastest time ever for a Japanese woman at that distance.
By winning national titles on February 16, Yamanishi and Fujii secured berths in the men's and women's 20-km races at the World Athletics Championships in September in Tokyo.
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Soccer
Tomiyasu Undergoes Surgery on Right Knee
Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu will miss the rest of the 2024-25 English Premier League after recently having surgery on his right knee, it was announced on Tuesday, February 18.
Tomiyasu sustained a knee injury last summer and had surgery on his right knee in August 2024. He was limited to one match in the Premier League campaign, stepping onto the pitch against Southampton in October.
Despite having the initial surgery, Tomiyasu still had problems with his knee, necessitating another medical procedure.
Tomiyasu provided an update via his Instagram account on Tuesday.
"I've had surgery on my knee [a] few days ago and I've already started my rehab to do what I love the most again," Tomiyasu wrote. "It has been the toughest period in my career for sure and it carries on a bit more but I won't give up. Thank you for your support and see you again."
Tomiyasu, 26, joined Arsenal in 2021 after previously suiting up for Italian Serie A club Bologna.
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Rugby
Spears Thrash BlueRevs in League One Clash
The Kubota Spears, who captured the Japan Rugby League One's 2022-23 season title, are among the circuit's elite teams this season.
With a 62-14 shellacking of the Shizuoka BlueRevs on Saturday, February 22, Spears coach Frans Ludeke's team improved to 7-1-1 in the 2024-25 campaign.
At halftime, the Spears led 19-7 at Edogawa Athletic Stadium in Tokyo's Edogawa Ward. They erupted for seven tries in the second half.
Halatoa Vailea led Kubota with three tries in the runaway win.
The Saitama Wild Knights have the best record (8-0-1) in League One. They collected their latest victory with a 39-10 decision over the Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars on Saturday.
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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.