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[ODDS and EVENS] Success and Confidence are Interlinked in Sports
Insights on success in sports from snowboarder Mitsuki Ono, basketball player Yuki Togashi, boxer Kenshiro Teraji and surfer Kana Nakashio.
In sports, success bolsters confidence. Victories can provide confirmation that the step-by-step process leading up to the desired results was not an accident.
Of course, luck sometimes plays a part. But the combination of hard work, determination, a smart strategy and quality athletic performances remains a potent recipe for success.
In recent days, various sporting events have provided reminders of this.
Athletes don't always discuss the process that ended with a triumph in post-event news conferences. Sometimes, the raw emotions of excitement or disappointment about what just happened are all the public will read about or watch.
However, the takeaway from triumphant athletes and teams often underscores that they believe in the process and that the results are tangible evidence that they are doing things the right way.
Ono Collects Snowboard World Cup Victory
Japanese teenager Mitsuki Ono claimed her first victory of the FIS Snowboard World Cup season on Saturday, January 20 in Laax, Switzerland. Ono finished first in the women's halfpipe competition, the third event of the season, with 81.75 points at the Laax Open. American Bea Kim was second (77.50) and Japan's Ruki Tomita was third (60.50).
For Ono, a ninth-place finisher in her specialty event at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, the victory in Switzerland confirmed what she had hoped for.
"I feel I've really gotten stronger performing in real competition," the 19-year-old Ono said, according to Kyodo News.
What else did Ono, the overall World Cup women's halfpipe points leader in 2023, feel after securing the top prize in Laax?
It was a "satisfying result," she revealed, according to Kyodo News, "but I'm aware I've still got some way to go. I'll keep working to improve my skills."
Togashi Lights Up the Scoreboard for B.League's Jets
Chiba Jets veteran guard Yuki Togashi is one of the B.League's most popular players, a fan favorite since the league's inception in 2016.
Togashi erupted for 24 first-quarter points against the visiting Levanga Hokkaido on Saturday, January 20. Chiba led 31-30 entering the second quarter.
In the opening period, Togashi sank 6 of 7 3-point attempts.
He didn't carry the Jets offense for the entire game. But he added four points in the second quarter, six more in the third and eight in the fourth. He finished with a career-high tying 42 points, which he also achieved on November 12, 2017, and which is double his season average (a career-best 21.0 points per game, No 2 in the B.League).
Togashi, who always displays confidence in his shooting ability, finished with nine 3-pointers and attempted 16 from beyond the arc.
After the game, which the Jets won 98-79 at Funabashi Arena, Togashi spoke during a courtside interview about the experience and generated some laughter, too.
"At the end of the first quarter, I thought I could score 50 points today," Togashi was quoted as saying by Nippon News Network. "But from the second quarter I was back to my usual self."
Togashi is a tone-setting player for the Jets (18-13). The Jets will be a force to be reckoned with for the rest of the season and in the playoffs.
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A Boxing Victory That Exposed Weaknesses
Sometimes, a victory exposes an athlete's or team's weaknesses against a team or individual foe. The win can highlight what he or she or they need to improve in order to produce more convincing victories in the future.
Case in point: Boxer Kenshiro Teraji's majority decision over Venezuelan challenger Carlos Canizales in a light flyweight world title fight on Tuesday, January 23 at Edion Arena Osaka.
By all accounts, it wasn't a convincing victory. According to two judges, Teraji won it on points, 114-112. The other arbiter declared it was a draw (113-113).
As a result, Teraji (23-1, 14 knockouts) departed the arena that night as holder of the WBC and WBA title belts that he entered the ring with.
"I'm so relieved," Teraji said after the fight, according to Kyodo News. "Canizales was a tough fighter. I just gave it my all."
The 32-year-old Japanese fighter also discussed his limitations on display against the Venezuelan after retaining his championship belts.
"I couldn't fight inside late in the match," he was quoted as saying by Kyodo News.
Teraji added, "I had to keep him at a distance with jabs. That wasn't what I wanted to do, so it's a bit frustrating. I learned many lessons from this fight. I'll come back stronger."
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Nakashio Delighted with World Surf League Performance
Kana Nakashio triumphed in the World Surf League Qualifying Series 3000 women's competition at San Juan's Urbiztondo Beach in La Union, Philippines, on Thursday, January 25.
Like Teraji in Osaka after the final punch was thrown, Nakashio expressed relief after riding the waves to victory.
"I'm so happy to have won," Nakashio said, according to the World Surf League's official website. "I had a great time in La Union. The food is good, the waves are good, and the locals are very nice. I knew that in order for me to qualify for the Challenger Series, I had to win this contest or it would be tough to qualify. So I am a little relieved to have won."
The 2023 Asia Junior Champion defeated compatriot Sara Wakita in the final, receiving 15.10 points to the runner-up's 12.20.
Nakashio, who turns 20 on January 29, secured the win ― an early birthday present ― with her best effort on her sixth and final attempt, 7.85 points.
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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.