There were four surfing titles up for grabs at Mahabalipuram Beach in Tamil Nadu, India, on Saturday, August 15. The World Surf League staged the Shore Temple Classic (men’s and women’s divisions) along with Pro Junior events for both genders.
Throughout the week, Mahabalipuram Beach was a successful showcase for Japan’s surfing talent.
For example, teenager Mirai Ikeda was victorious in the Shore Temple Classic women’s event. The 18-year-old collected her first WSL Qualifying Series victory of 2026.
“I wasn’t able to make it a double win with the Pro Junior [competition], but I think I was able to have a really great competition here in India,” Ikeda said, according to a news release.
She then said, “I lost the Pro Junior Final and finished fourth, and I cried, but I was able to reset my mind and come back to win this one.”
Ikeda, who is now third in the Asian Qualifying Series rankings, was invigorated by the support from surfing fans. (Japan’s Kana Nakashio and Shino Matsuda are ranked first and second, respectively.)
“Thank you everyone for your support,” Ikeda said. “I’m really hungry now, so I want to eat some Indian food. I love Indian food, I really like curry.”
Shore Temple Classic men’s winner Ikko Watanabe (©WSL/Surfers of India)
Surfing Glory for Watanabe
Also Saturday, Ikko Watanabe claimed the Shore Temple Classic men’s title, beating compatriot Tenshi Iwami in the final. Watanabe, 20, received a stellar score of 17.10 points to clinch the win.
For Watanabe, facing Iwami proved to be a formidable challenge.
“Tenshi is so much better than me when it comes to turns, so I just had to match him and find a way to win,” Watanabe told reporters after Saturday’s final. “I’m just so stoked, honestly.
“I was searching for my strengths out there and playing to them. In the water I had no idea who was going to win.”
Iwami finished with 16.77 points in the final.
Hinata Shimizu celebrates her victory in the women’s Pro Junior Final on August 15. (©WSL/Surfers of India)
A Memorable Day for Surfing Twins
In the women’s Pro Junior Final, Hinata Shimizu and Hinano Shimizu, 19-year-old twin sisters, placed 1-2 on Saturday.
What was Hinata’s reaction?
“Winning my first Pro Junior title means everything,” she told reporters at Mahabalipuram Beach. “We’ve had a string of events since Hokkaido [in early August], and I feel like my sister and I were able to finish with great rides and put on a good showing together.”
Yuma Nagasawa rides a wave during the Shore Temple Classic men’s Pro Junior Final on August 15. (©WSL/Surfers of India)
Nagasawa Wins Men’s Pro Junior Final
Also Saturday, Yuma Nagasawa placed first in the men’s Pro Junior Final, giving Japan a clean sweep of the four surfing events.
It was the 20-year-old’s first title of 2026.
“I’m so happy to have won,” Nagasawa commented. “Last year I was always second place, and it felt like I was just one step away from victory. But I didn’t give up, I believed in myself, and with the support of those around me I was able to win.
“I’m not just happy, I’m so grateful to everyone. Really, to all of you. I’m so incredibly happy.”
Rugby
Wallabies Wallop Brave Blossoms in Rematch
Leading 21-17 at halftime, Australia overpowered Japan in the second half on Saturday afternoon, August 15.
In Townsville, Australia, at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, the Wallabies scored the final 42 points in a 56-17 trouncing of the Brave Blossoms.
Seven days earlier, Australia edged Japan 35-32 in Higashiosaka, Osaka Prefecture, in new rugby head coach Les Kiss’ first match in charge.
On Saturday, Kiss urged the Wallabies to elevate their level of play in the second half.
“We got challenged by Les at halftime,” Wallabies captain Harry Wilson was quoted as saying by ABC Australia. “A team like Japan, if you’re not up for it, they really make you pay.
“I was really proud of the group in the second half. We stepped it up and put on a great performance.”
Five Australia players had tries in the second half: Angus Bell (51st minute), Massimo De Lutiis (58th), Charlie Cale (73rd), Harry Wilson (75th) and Brandon Paenga-Amosa (81st).
Japan’s Harry Hockings, Naoto Saito and Dylan Riley converted tries in the opening half.
Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki takes batting practice in March 2025 at Tokyo Dome. (©SANKEI)
Baseball
Cubs’ Suzuki Reaches 20 Homers for 4th Straight Year
Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki smacked his 20th home run of the MLB season against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, August 11. He hit a two-run shot in the eighth inning of the Cubs’ 8-6 road win.
The former Hiroshima Carp standout, who joined the Cubs in 2022, had 20 homers in 2023, followed by 21 in 2024 and an MLB career-best 31 in ’25.
Through August 15, Suzuki is hitting .274 with 21 homers and 73 RBIs. He’s also hit 23 doubles.
“He’s one of the better right-handed hitters in this league,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said in a recent interview. “Um, he’s one of the more consistent offensive players in this league. I think it always helps when you hit near a player (Pete Crow-Armstrong) who’s having an unbelievable season, ’cause you’re going to have people on base, which just makes you a better hitter, all those things.”
The manager added, “I mean, I think Seiya is doing what he’s always done. Maybe just, you know, just a tick above it, but pretty much doing what he always does, [and] that’s a high-level production, because he’s a really good hitter in this league.”
Sato Among the Notable Names in WPBL
The US-based Women’s Pro Baseball League launched its first-ever season on August 1.
Japanese pitching star Ayami Sato is one of the league’s high-profile players. The 36-year-old Sato, who pitches for the Los Angeles Queens, is a six-time Women’s Baseball World Cup MVP.
The New York Heights, the Boston Hunters and the San Francisco Firebells are the WPBL’s other teams.
Sato (1-1, 7.50 ERA) has made three starts for the Queens through August 14. She picked up her first win on August 7 with a strong five-inning effort, holding the Firebells to four hits and one run while striking out four.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Kansei Matsuzawa in a June 2026 file photo. (Michael Clemens/LAS VEGAS RAIDERS/via SANKEI)
American Football
Raiders Rookie Matsuzawa Makes Preseason Debut
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Kansei Matsuzawa missed his lone field-goal attempt in his NFL preseason debut on Thursday, August 13. His 38-yard attempt in the fourth quarter bounced off the right upright.
In Las Vegas, the Arizona Cardinals defeated the Raiders 27-14 in the first preseason game of 2026 for both teams.
Matsuzawa, 27, signed a three-year contract with Las Vegas in April. He’s attempting to become the first Japanese player to make an NFL team’s roster.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Kansei Matsuzawa participates in an offseason workout in June 2026. (Matt Aguirre/LAS VEGAS RAIDERS/via SANKEI)
Eighth-year pro Matt Gay and Matsuzawa, who is nicknamed “The Tokyo Toe,” are competing for the Raiders’ starting placekicker job.
The Raiders are back in action on Thursday, August 20, playing a preseason road game against the Houston Texans.
Matsuzawa, a University of Hawaii alumni, was named to The Associated Press All-America Team in 2025. He made 27 of 29 field-goal attempts and was 40-for-40 on point-after attempts, raising his profile.
Kansei Matsuzawa has shown what’s possible with determination and a dream. From teaching himself how to kick a football from online videos to joining the @Raiders as the first Japanese-born player to sign an @NFL contract, “The Tokyo Toe” is an inspiration to young people… pic.twitter.com/Lpwx50SXOf
— ジョージ・グラス駐日米国大使 (@USAmbJapan) June 30, 2026
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Kashiwa Reysol midfielder Keita Endo scores a tying goal in the first half against Tokyo Verdy on August 14 at MUFG Stadium in Tokyo. (©SANKEI)
Soccer
Reysol Rally Past Verdy in J.League Showdown
Kashiwa Reysol became the first J.League club with two victories in the 2026 season.
Midfielder Yusuke Segawa scored a tiebreaking goal in the 65th minute as Reysol earned a 3-1 away victory over Tokyo Verdy on Friday, August 14 at MUFG Stadium.
The hosts took a 1-0 lead on Naoki Hayashi’s opening strike in the second minute.
Keita Endo leveled the score in the 11th minute, and Tojiro Kubo accounted for the final goal in the 82nd.
Reysol manager Ricardo Rodriguez’s club recorded a season-opening 2-1 win over Mito Hollyhock on August 8.
After his squad’s second win in as many weeks, Rodriguez assessed its performance against Verdy.
“For the full 90 minutes, both offensively and defensively, we were able to showcase the kind of play we expect from our team,” Rodriguez told reporters on Friday. “Of course, we need to improve on conceding a goal right at the start of the match, but conceding a goal in that manner is something that can happen in soccer.”
He continued: “Despite the difficult start, I think the players showed great mental strength, consistently executed our style of play, and performed well to tie the game and then take the lead.”
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Japan’s Rui Hachimura drives to the basket in the third quarter against South Korea on August 15 at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena. (©SANKEI)
Briefly…
Rui Hachimura had a team-high 22 points in the Japan men’s national basketball team’s 88-68 victory over South Korea in an exhibition game on Saturday, August 15.
At Tokyo’s Ariake Arena, Japan’s Josh Hawkinson added 18 points and pulled down 14 rebounds, while Yuki Kawamura scored 12 and dished out six assists.
In NBA veteran Hachimura’s first game with the national team since the 2024 Paris Olympics, he sank 3 of 6 3-point attempts in nearly 24 minutes of playing time.
On Thursday, August 13, Tomoyuki Matsushita triumphed in the men’s 400-meter individual medley final at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships. In Irvine, California, Matsushita, the 2024 Olympic runner-up in this event, won the race in 4 minutes, 6.75 seconds. American Carson Foster placed second in 4:07.11.
Miwa Harimoto and Hinata Hayata claimed the women’s doubles title at Europe Smash Sweden 2026, a World Table Tennis tournament, on Saturday, August 15. The Japanese duo defeated Hong Kong’s Hoi Kem Doo and Wing Lam Ng 3-1 (11-6, 9-11, 13-11, 11-9) in the final.
Author: Ed Odeven
Follow Ed’s [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and he can be found on X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
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