Asia's aging sports stars never say 'retire'
Durability of the region's professional athletes puzzles outsiders
Elderly Western visitors to East Asia often say they enjoy their trips partly because of the respect accorded to older people. But these cultural habits can hold back countries such as Japan and South Korea when it comes to sport.
The saga of Japanese footballer Kazuyoshi Miura could not have happened in Europe. I started covering Asian sports in the late 1990s when "King Kazu," who debuted for Japan in 1990, was approaching what appeared to be the final stages of a storied career.
After being excluded from Japan's first soccer World Cup appearance in 1998, Miura's best days seemed to be over. To put it baldly (although he still has a fine head of hair) a current version of Miura even at 25 would not now be employed in top class soccer.
Yet at 55, he is still playing professionally, having moved from Yokohama FC to the Suzuka Point Getters in January. For comparison, Teddy Sheringham, the oldest player to appear in the English Premier League, was 40 in his last EPL game in 2006.
Miura's annual contract renewal has become the most consistent sports story in East Asia for the international media. Japanese journalists think there are better stories, but won't say so publicly. Nobody wants to criticize this icon of Japanese soccer. ...continue reading
CNN - Nov 23
He may have retired from professional baseball four years ago, but Ichiro Suzuki certainly hasn’t lost his appetite for the game.
Kyodo - Nov 21
Ozeki Kirishima picked up his eighth win on the 10th day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, leaving him in a four-way tie for the lead Tuesday.
News On Japan - Nov 20
An accident involving four motorbikes while racing on the Suzuka Circuit in central Japan on Sunday has left one rider dead.
asiarugby.com - Nov 20
There was double delight for Japan as both the men’s and women’s team became the final regional qualifiers for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 with victory in the Asia Rugby qualification tournament in Osaka.
FIA World Rally Championship - Nov 20
Toyota 1-2-3 victory at home! Watch full highlights and exclusive onboard footage
itrwrestling.com - Nov 18
Having accomplished everything there is to achieve in NJPW multiple times and being widely regarded as one of the best wrestlers in the world today, there would certainly be a lot of buzz generated if The Rainmaker joined the largest wrestling promotion in the world.
Red Bull Rally - Nov 18
Torrential rainfall, thick fog and roads covered with damp leaves were just some of the challenges faced by crews at the FORUM8 Rally Japan, the season finale.
newsonjapan.com - Nov 15
Defender of Agdam “Qarabag” and the Azerbaijani national football team Bahlul Mustafazadeh answered questions from an azerisport.com correspondent.
tennis.com - Nov 14
Naomi Osaka's latest Nike collection is paying tribute to her heritage and experiences. The former world No. 1's latest Nike collection is inspired by New York and Japan, two places near and dear to her heart.
Sumostew - Nov 12
There are a lot of new wrestlers in Grand Sumo Wrestling to get to know this year. This November Kyushu Basho 2023, there are 4 sumo wrestlers in Makuuchi (sumo top division) that are making their debut.
NHK - Nov 08
Japanese baseball superstar Ohtani Shohei has officially become an unrestricted free agent and is capable of signing with any Major League team.
News On Japan - Nov 05
In the first matchup between two Kansai teams in 59 years, Hanshin Tigers beat Orix Buffaloes 7-1 in game 7 of the Japan Series, claiming their second championship since 1985 and the first in 38 years.
Kyodo - Nov 03
Shohei Ohtani was selected as the American League's Outstanding Player by his peers for the second time in this year's Players Choice Awards announced Thursday.
Ben Gravy - Nov 01
Right now we're in Japan at one of the best wave pools in the world.
Kyodo - Oct 31
Yuma Mune doubled in two runs and Yuma Tongu hit a solo home run as the Orix Buffaloes edged the Hanshin Tigers 5-4 in Tuesday's Game 3 to lead the best-of-seven Japan Series two games to one.
NHK - Oct 31
Teenage Japanese "Go" player Nakamura Sumire says she has decided to shift her base of professional activity to South Korea as she finds it necessary for her to study the game in a more competitive environment.