ODDS and EVENS | Sports Viewpoints on Happenings in September

In sports, the difference between very good and exceptional can often be a razor-thin margin.

Watching the 2025 World Athletics Championships (September 13-21) provided daily reminders of this reality.

Reaching the final of an event at the world championships is, well, a very good achievement. Winning a medal is an outstanding feat.

Case in point: Japan's Rachid Muratake placed fifth in the men's 110-meter hurdles final on September 16 at National Stadium in Tokyo. His time was 13.18 seconds, 0.06 seconds slower than Jamaican bronze medalist Tyler Mason's effort.

Kenya's Peres Jepchirchir triumphed in the women's marathon on September 14 in 2 hours, 24 minutes, 43 seconds. For the 42.195-km race, Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa, the runner-up, was only 2 seconds off the pace. 

When the ultimate goal is to become a world champion, finishing 0.06 seconds or 2 seconds behind a medalist or the winner can be extremely frustrating.

That said, there was an abundance of celebratory activities on a daily basis during the World Athletics Championships.

50-Plus Nations Collected Medals in Tokyo

While only three nations (the United States, Kenya and Canada) won three or more gold medals, earning 16, seven and three, respectively, track and field athletes from 53 nations collected medals at the nine-day global meet. The previous record for the world championships, set in 2007 (in Osaka) and matched in 2023 (in Budapest), was 46.

"What we have seen over the past nine days here in Tokyo is an indelible and compelling celebration of human sporting endeavor," World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said in a news release. "Tokyo has set the stage for some of our sport's most extraordinary performances.  

"This has been a championships for the ages and we are profoundly grateful to the people of Japan for hosting our showcase championships for the third time."  

'Monster' Inoue to Appear in Record-Tying Bout

For several years now, we've been witnessing one of the great sports streaks of the 21st century grow and grow. Boxer Naoya Inoue is 26-0 in world title bouts.

The undisputed super bantamweight champion raised his career record to 31-0 (27 knockouts) with a unanimous decision over Murodjon Akhmadaliev on September 14 in Nagoya.

Regarding those 26 title bouts, a streak that reached that number against Akhmadaliev, it's incredible. Even more so when you look at it from a historical perspective.

Legendary American heavyweight champion Joe Louis appeared in a record 27 consecutive title fights between 1937 and '49.

For Inoue, his 27th title bout in a row will be held on December 27 in Riyadh against Mexican challenger Alan Picasso (32-0-1, 17 KOs). And this bout is another reminder of Inoue's place in the pantheon of boxing's all-time greats.

The blockbuster night of fights is being billed as "The Ring V: Night of the Samurai." And on the same fight card, Junto Nakatani (31-0, 24 KOs), who recently vacated his WBC and IBF bantamweight title belts, will make his super bantamweight debut against Mexico's Sebastian Hernandez (20-0, 18 KOs).

For Nakatani, it's his first step in getting ready for a future fight with Inoue at super bantamweight. That much-anticipated fight is expected to take place in 2026.

Ohtani 'Satisfied' with Pitching Progress

In an abbreviated season of mound duty, Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is pitching as well as he ever has of late.

Consider: Over 11 innings in his last two starts, Ohtani allowed a combined five hits and zero runs, striking out 13 and walking one. 

On September 16, Ohtani tossed five no-hit innings against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies and got a no-decision. 

Seven days later, he scattered five hits ― all singles ― in six frames against the Arizona Diamondbacks, making a season-high 91 pitches and fanning eight batters in Phoenix.

Dominant pitching. But the Dodgers failed to capitalize on Ohtani's mound brilliance both times, losing both games late due to the bullpen's poor performances.

In his most recent start, LA allowed three runs in the seventh and two more in the ninth in a 5-3 loss to Arizona.

Although Ohtani didn't pick up the win against the Diamondbacks, the game was a valuable measuring stick for him.

"[My longest start] was up to five innings until my last outing, and I'm glad to have taken another step," Ohtani was quoted as saying by Kyodo News. "I've come through the final phase [of recovery] ahead of the postseason, so I'm satisfied."

Ohtani exhibited a command of his pitches in his 100th MLB career start. He also reached 101.2 mph (162.8 kph) on the radar gun, a positive sign as he continues to make preparations for the playoffs.

"Over the last three or four starts, there's been a ramp-up of [his] intensity and performance," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, according to the Los Angeles Times. "I think that was his plan."

Since late August, Ohtani has yielded one run in his past 19⅔ innings.

Kawai to Succeed Murofushi as Japan Sports Agency Chief

Junichi Kawai, a six-time Paralympian, will take over as the next Japan Sports Agency commissioner, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology announced  on September 19.

Kawai was appointed to succeed Koji Murofushi, who served a five-year term as the government agency's chief. Murofushi's term ends on September 30. 

The Shizuoka Prefecture native's first day in charge at the Japan Sports Agency will be October 1.

During his illustrious swimming career, Kawai amassed 21 medals, including five gold, at the Paralympic Games. He competed in the Paralympics for the final time in London in 2012.

The visually impaired Kawai has demonstrated leadership skills throughout his tenure as Japanese Paralympic Committee chairman, a job he began in 2020. 

Kawai recognizes the significance of his selection as Murofushi's successor.

"The fact that someone like me has been appointed to this position shows that times have changed, and I hope this means a lot to many people," Kawai said, according to Kyodo News.

At a September 19 news conference, he also made a general statement about his overall vision as the Japan Sports Agency boss. 

"My goal is to build a society where citizens recognize the value and appeal of sports," Kawai was quoted as saying by Kyodo News. 

RELATED:

• SPORTS SHORTS | Wrestling: Japan Excels at the 2025 World Championships
• World Athletics Championships: US Shines in Men's 4x100 for Its 16th Gold
• Naoya Inoue Outclasses Murodjon Akhmadaliev and Wins by Unanimous Decision

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.