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 Kaz Nagatsuka

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Kaz Nagatsuka
Kaz Nagatsuka is a staff writer covering Japanese sports, including Japanese professional baseball, basketball, American football and individual sports. He has covered big sporting events such as the World Baseball Classic, the NFL Super Bowl and soccer's World Cup.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Oct 9, 2018
World Boxing Super Series executive Kalle Sauerland calls Naoya Inoue world's 'best puncher'
By posting two consecutive first-round knockout victories, boxer Naoya Inoue has begun to make people think that he might actually be better than he had been advertised.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Oct 7, 2018
Teikyo University seeks to take development of athletes to next level
Over the last two decades, the Japanese sports world has taken significant steps forward in aspects of athlete development such as nutrition, sports medicine and improved training methods.
Japan Times
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Oct 7, 2018
Naoya Inoue wins effortlessly with first-round knockout against Juan Carlos Payano
This time, he needed just a few punches to end the night.
Japan Times
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Oct 5, 2018
Bantamweight Naoya Inoue confident before showdown with Juan Carlos Payano in World Boxing Super Series
WBA bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue is fired up as he begins his campaign to prove he is the world's best boxer in the division.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Oct 3, 2018
New passport, but same responsibilities for Brave Thunders star Nick Fazekas
Since his 2012 arrival in Japan, Nick Fazekas has been regarded as one of the very best to compete in Japan pro basketball.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Sep 24, 2018
Alvark players consider themselves B. League contenders, not reigning champions
Reigning B. League champion Alvark Tokyo will approach the new season not with the intent to defend their title but rather with the desire to win another, team captain and guard Takeki Shonaka said at the B. League's kickoff conference on Monday.
Japan Times
Rugby
Sep 20, 2018
Tokyo marks one-year countdown to 2019 Rugby World Cup
Rugby officials emphasized that the first Rugby World Cup in Asian would be a "game changer" that could bring the game to the next phase.
Japan Times
Rugby / RWC Countdown
Sep 19, 2018
Brave Blossoms icon Goromaru calls for better promotion of Japanese rugby
Rugby icon Ayumu Goromaru is deeply concerned with the status quo surrounding his sport since the Japan's national team's sensational World Cup campaign in 2015.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Sep 17, 2018
Japan overcomes Iran through explosive performances from Rui Hachimura and Yuta Watanabe
Japan's star duo of Rui Hachimura and Yuta Watanabe proved their talent on Monday evening, coming through down the stretch in the hosts' 70-56 win over Iran in a FIBA World Cup Asian qualifier at Ota City General Gymnasium.
Japan Times
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Sep 17, 2018
Floyd Mayweather Jr. looks to expand brand in Japan
Floyd Mayweather says he doesn't really miss fighting yet and is looking forward to expanding his brand through business.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Sep 16, 2018
Akatsuki Five stars Watanabe and Hachimura ready to enjoy Iran showdown
Yuta Watanabe and Rui Hachimura had fun playing together on the Japan men’s basketball team for the first time during Thursday night’s victory over Kazakhstan.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / NBA
Sep 13, 2018
Steph Curry sweeps into Tokyo on tour of Asia
Making his final stop on a weeklong, three-city promotional tour, NBA superstar Steph Curry was tireless interacting with the local players and fans at an event in Tokyo.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / NBA
Sep 10, 2018
Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green draws crowds in first Japan visit
Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green revealed that he was persuaded by Rakuten chairman Hiroshi Mikitani to come to Japan.
Japan Times
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Sep 2, 2018
Yudai Nitta making most of chance at Asian Games
For veteran track cyclist Yudai Nitta, the experience of competing at the Olympics can't be traded for anything.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS / ASIAN GAMES
Sep 2, 2018
Delegation head praises Japan's performance
Yasuhiro Yamashita, head of Japan's Asian Games delegation,and other officials who traveled to Jakarta were pleased to have their expectation exceeded during the tournament, where Japan exceeded its medal targets.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS / ASIAN GAMES
Sep 1, 2018
Japan takes gold in field hockey
Sakura Japan set a lofty goal of winning gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and Friday's victory will certainly help give the team momentum and confidence to do so.
Japan Times
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Aug 31, 2018
Determined Shohei Ono battles past An Chang-rim to earn 73-kg gold
Shohei Ono put on a show at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, winning four of the five matches by ippon. By doing so, he nabbed a gold medal in the men's 73-kg judo competition.
Japan Times
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Aug 30, 2018
Discus thrower Masateru Yugami disappointed with performance in Jakarta
Masateru Yugami became one of the rising stars in Japanese track and field this year.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Aug 30, 2018
Journey for Japan's hoop team to end with game for 7th place
The Japan men's national basketball team's bizarre, unprecedented journey at the Asian Games is nearly — and finally — coming to an end.
Japan Times
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Aug 29, 2018
With shock silver in women's judo, Ami Kondo falls short again
Ami Kondo had already established her status as one of the elite judoka in her weight class in the world. But now she is about to be known as one who falls short in the clutch.

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