In competitive sports, the pursuit of excellence is a persistent goal.
Victories and setbacks provide tangible proof of an individual or team's development and struggles.
Championships deliver validity and meaning to their journeys.
But not everyone will win titles. The completion of a practice, a game, a tournament, a season ― there's commonality in the schedule among rivals, even among athletes from different sports.
Different tactics and philosophies for competition keep sports interesting instead of robotic.
Sometimes, the most compelling stories feature the satisfaction that athletes and coaches derive from competition — or hearing or seeing their reactions after the end of an event.
Take, for example, reaching the finish line in the 2024-2025 Vendée Globe, a solo around-the-world sailing race. It started in Les Sables d'Olonne, France, on November 10, 2024.
Thursday, February 13 was Day 95 of the epic journey.
France's Charlie Dalin won the competition, returning to the French coastal port on January 14. His winning time: 64 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes, 49 seconds.
On February 9, Japanese sailor Kojiro Shiraishi completed his around-the-world odyssey aboard DMG MORI Global One, putting him in 24th place. Forty sailors entered the competition, with seven being forced to withdraw along the way.
For the 57-year-old Shiraishi, it was his third Vendée Globe. He placed 16th in the 2020-21 race.
Reflecting on a Global Odyssey
Upon reaching the end of his 90-day, 21-hour, 34-minute, 41-second journey, Shiraishi said: "Thank you for turning out in such big numbers to welcome me today! The sky is grey, but the enthusiasm and fun are there. Every time I take the start of the Vendée Globe, I never really know what I'm looking for. But with each edition, I find answers to my questions and I understand why I participate. It pushes me to give everything I have."
Shiraishi had to cope with damage to his vessel's hydro generator and other problems including with solar panels, the Vendée Globe website reported.
Looking back on his 28,696-nautical mile journey, Shiraishi commented, "It was the fifth time I had sailed around the world, and each time the problems were different. This is what makes this exercise unique and exciting. It's also what keeps me from getting tired of it: each round the world is a new adventure."
A New Era for Frontale
In sports, just like in life, change is constant. So the start of a new J.League season shines the spotlight on familiar faces in new places, as well as new leaders taking over.
For instance, former Kawasaki Frontale manager Toru Oniki is now the new boss for the Kashima Antlers.
Oniki led Frontale to four J.League titles in his eight seasons in charge.
Now it's Shigetoshi Hasebe's turn to call the shots for Frontale, who open their season at home on Saturday, February 15 against Nagoya Grampus.
Frontale captain Yasuto Wakizaka, a midfielder, is eager to make an impact for Hasebe, who previously managed Mito Hollyhock (2018-19) and Avispa Fukuoka (2020-24).
"I think he uses tactics that suit the team," Wakizaka said, according to The Yomiuri Shimbun. "At Mito, he was aggressive, and at Fukuoka, he was fast and steady, so I am looking forward to seeing how he will change at Frontale."
Meanwhile, the Antlers' Oniki era officially begins with an away match against Shonan Bellmare on Saturday.
In related news, Yokohama F Marinos played their first match under new manager Steve Holland on Wednesday. And it was a successful start ― Marinos 1, Shanghai Shenhua 0 ― in an Asian Champions League Group A fixture.
"I was very happy with the level of commitment," former English national team assistant coach Holland was quoted as saying by Agence France-Presse. "We had some good moments and made some good chances, and to win the game is a good start."
Play Ball! Excitement for the 2025 MLB Season
Mid-February marks the start of Major League Baseball's official preparations for the upcoming season.
The traditional arrival of pitchers and catchers at teams' training camps signals exhibition games are just around the corner.
Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga, coming off a 15-win campaign in 2024, had lofty goals in his MLB debut season.
He summed it up this way, according to MLB.com: "I can't say I exceeded my own expectations."
Speaking at the team's spring training headquarters in Mesa, Arizona, Imanaga told reporters that he's looking forward to being a cultural ambassador of sorts for the team.
The Cubs will travel to the Japanese capital to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in MLB's season-opening series on March 18-19 at Tokyo Dome.
"For the staff, the coaches, players with the Cubs, I think it's a wonderful opportunity for them to really feel and understand how great Japan is and understand the culture and the traditions over there," Imanaga said, according to MLB.com.
Bantamweight Champ Nakatani Fired Up About Title Fight
Athletes of all skill levels bring passion to their chosen sport. Eagerness to compete is, well, important.
In doing so, they make people care about their events.
Case in point: Junto Nakatani, the unbeaten WBC bantamweight champion (29-0, 22 knockouts).
The 27-year-old is making final preparations for his February 24 title defense against Mexico's David Cuellar (28-0, 18 KOs). And Nakatani believes his hard work during a one-month training camp in Las Vegas has prepared him well for the high-profile bout at Tokyo's Ariake Arena.
"My body is sharper, and I'm starting to get to move the way I want," Nakatani was quoted as saying by Kyodo News on Thursday.
In January 2025, Nakatani outlined his quest to raise his profile this year.
"This year, I want to fight in a way that makes me known around the world," Nakatani told reporters before traveling to the United States.
In a recent interview with Boxing Scene, he also spoke about his current goal.
"I have been saying I want to unify the titles," Nakatani told the website. "[And] I want to have a great performance in my next fight so I can get closer to that unification."
The Beating Pulse of Sports
Athletes, teams, leagues and tournaments are, of course, needed to sustain interest in sports year after year.
But they aren't the only essential piece of the puzzle.
Indeed, fans are the beating pulse of competitive sports.
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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.
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