While it was more of the same in MLB with the Los Angeles Dodgers making it back-to-back titles on the back of standout performances from Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, sumo saw the emergence of a trio of young talents and Tokyo got a long-awaited Olympic do-over with the World Athletics Championships.

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani jogs off the field prior to a game against the Cubs at Tokyo Dome on March 19. MLB opened its season in Japan, with Ohtani and Dodgers teammates Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki taking on the Cubs, including slugger Seiya Suzuki and pitcher Shota Imanaga.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani jogs off the field prior to a game against the Cubs at Tokyo Dome on March 19. MLB opened its season in Japan, with Ohtani and Dodgers teammates Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki taking on the Cubs, including slugger Seiya Suzuki and pitcher Shota Imanaga. | JOSHUA MELLIN

Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani (behind) celebrates with World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto and rookie pitcher Roki Sasaki after Los Angeles beat the Blue Jays to clinch its second consecutive title, on Nov. 1 in Toronto.
Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani (behind) celebrates with World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto and rookie pitcher Roki Sasaki after Los Angeles beat the Blue Jays to clinch its second consecutive title, on Nov. 1 in Toronto. | IMAGN IMAGES / VIA REUTERS

Onosato prepares for a bout at Royal Albert Hall in London on Oct. 18 as part of a rare overseas tour for top wrestlers. 2025 marked a year of upheaval for sumo as yokozuna Terunofuji retired before Hoshoryu and Onosato were promoted to the top rank. Meanwhile, Aonishiki's first Emperor's Cup in November has him eyeing a similar promotion in 2026.
Onosato prepares for a bout at Royal Albert Hall in London on Oct. 18 as part of a rare overseas tour for top wrestlers. 2025 marked a year of upheaval for sumo as yokozuna Terunofuji retired before Hoshoryu and Onosato were promoted to the top rank. Meanwhile, Aonishiki鈥檚 first Emperor鈥檚 Cup in November has him eyeing a similar promotion in 2026. | REUTERS

Ichiro Suzuki speaks during his National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony on July 27 in Cooperstown, New York. The long-time Mariner became the first Japanese player inducted into the Hall.
Ichiro Suzuki speaks during his National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony on July 27 in Cooperstown, New York. The long-time Mariner became the first Japanese player inducted into the Hall. | JOSHUA MELLIN

Sweden's Armand Duplantis competes in the final of the men's pole vault at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Sept. 15. Four years after an Olympics held without fans, Tokyo's National Stadium got a do-over with the track and field spectacle, with Duplantis' world record performance marking one of the highlights of the meet.
Sweden鈥檚 Armand Duplantis competes in the final of the men鈥檚 pole vault at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Sept. 15. Four years after an Olympics held without fans, Tokyo鈥檚 National Stadium got a do-over with the track and field spectacle, with Duplantis鈥� world record performance marking one of the highlights of the meet. | REUTERS

Yuki Tsunoda drives his Red Bull during a practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, Mie Prefecture, on April 4. After a fast start to the 2025 season, Tsunoda was promoted to Red Bull, but struggled alongside star teammate Max Verstappen, leaving him without a Formula One seat for 2026.
Yuki Tsunoda drives his Red Bull during a practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, Mie Prefecture, on April 4. After a fast start to the 2025 season, Tsunoda was promoted to Red Bull, but struggled alongside star teammate Max Verstappen, leaving him without a Formula One seat for 2026. | REUTERS

Japanese golfer Mao Saigo raises the championship trophy after winning The Chevron Championship on April 27 for her first career LPGA major victory. Countrymate Miyu Yamashita won the Women's British Open, adding to an impressive run by Japanese golfers on the LPGA Tour in recent years.
Japanese golfer Mao Saigo raises the championship trophy after winning The Chevron Championship on April 27 for her first career LPGA major victory. Countrymate Miyu Yamashita won the Women鈥檚 British Open, adding to an impressive run by Japanese golfers on the LPGA Tour in recent years. | Imagn Images / VIA REUTERS

Attendees pay their respects to late Giants slugger Shigeo Nagashima during a ceremony at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 21. Nagashima, who was named to 17 season-ending Best Nine teams and was known to many as 鈥淢r. Pro Baseball,
Attendees pay their respects to late Giants slugger Shigeo Nagashima during a ceremony at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 21. Nagashima, who was named to 17 season-ending Best Nine teams and was known to many as 鈥淢r. Pro Baseball,鈥� died on June 3 at age 89. | JIJI

American sprinter Melissa Jefferson-Wooden wins the women's 100-meter final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Sept. 14. Four years after an Olympics held without fans, Tokyo's National Stadium got a do-over with the track and field spectacle, with Jefferson-Wooden, who also won the 200 and was part of the U.S. team that won gold in the 4x100-meter relay, emerging as one of the stars of the meet.
American sprinter Melissa Jefferson-Wooden wins the women鈥檚 100-meter final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Sept. 14. Four years after an Olympics held without fans, Tokyo鈥檚 National Stadium got a do-over with the track and field spectacle, with Jefferson-Wooden, who also won the 200 and was part of the U.S. team that won gold in the 4x100-meter relay, emerging as one of the stars of the meet. | REUTERS

The start of the Deaflympics marathon in Tokyo on Nov. 25. The multisport event featured about 2,800 hearing-impaired athletes from 79 countries and regions. Japanese athletes earned 51 medals, including 16 gold.
The start of the Deaflympics marathon in Tokyo on Nov. 25. The multisport event featured about 2,800 hearing-impaired athletes from 79 countries and regions. Japanese athletes earned 51 medals, including 16 gold. | JIJI

Koryo High School principal Masakazu Hori bows following a news conference in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, on Aug. 10 after his school's withdrawal from Summer Koshien due to reports of bullying within the team. The announcement made Koryo the first school to exit midway through the two-week, 49-team high school baseball championship for reasons unrelated to COVID-19.
Koryo High School principal Masakazu Hori bows following a news conference in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, on Aug. 10 after his school鈥檚 withdrawal from Summer Koshien due to reports of bullying within the team. The announcement made Koryo the first school to exit midway through the two-week, 49-team high school baseball championship for reasons unrelated to COVID-19. | JIJI