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Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

Retired pro shogi player Hifumi Kato (R) chats with young player Sota Fujii in Tokyo in November 2018. The former holder of the most prestigious Meijin title, Kato died of pneumonia on Jan. 22, 2026, aged 86. He had held the record for becoming the youngest pro shogi player at 14 years and seven months in 1954 until Fujii broke it at 14 years and two months in 2016, while he played to the age of 77 years and five months, the oldest on record.

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Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

Retiring pro shogi player Hifumi Kato waves after his retirement press conference in Tokyo in June 2017. The former holder of the most prestigious Meijin title, Kato died of pneumonia on Jan. 22, 2026, aged 86. He had held the record for becoming the youngest pro shogi player at 14 years and seven months in 1954 until Sota Fujii broke it at 14 years and two months in 2016, while he played to the age of 77 years and five months, the oldest on record.

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Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

Retired pro shogi player Hifumi Kato gives an interview in Tokyo in November 2018. The former holder of the most prestigious Meijin title, Kato died of pneumonia on Jan. 22, 2026, aged 86. He had held the record for becoming the youngest pro shogi player at 14 years and seven months in 1954 until Sota Fujii broke it at 14 years and two months in 2016, while he played to the age of 77 years and five months, the oldest on record.

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Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

Pro shogi player Hifumi Kato (R) reviews his match against debutant Sota Fujii after being beaten by him in Tokyo in December 2016. The former holder of the most prestigious Meijin title, Kato died of pneumonia on Jan. 22, 2026, aged 86. He had held the record for becoming the youngest pro shogi player at 14 years and seven months in 1954 until Fujii broke it at 14 years and two months in 2016, while he played to the age of 77 years and five months, the oldest on record.

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Tokyo-Hakone collegiate ekiden road relay

Aoyama Gakuin University anchor runner Sota Orita crosses the finish line in Tokyo's Otemachi business district on Jan. 3, 2026, securing the university's third consecutive year of victory in the two-day Tokyo-Hakone collegiate ekiden road relay.

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Tokyo-Hakone collegiate ekiden road relay

Aoyama Gakuin University anchor runner Sota Orita crosses the finish line in Tokyo's Otemachi business district on Jan. 3, 2026, securing the university's third consecutive year of victory in the two-day Tokyo-Hakone collegiate ekiden road relay.

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Tokyo-Hakone collegiate ekiden road relay

Aoyama Gakuin University anchor runner Sota Orita crosses the finish line in Tokyo's Otemachi business district on Jan. 3, 2026, securing the university's third consecutive year of victory in the two-day Tokyo-Hakone collegiate ekiden road relay.

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Tokyo-Hakone collegiate ekiden road relay

Aoyama Gakuin University anchor runner Sota Orita crosses the finish line in Tokyo's Otemachi business district on Jan. 3, 2026, securing the university's third consecutive year of victory in the two-day Tokyo-Hakone collegiate ekiden road relay.

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Tokyo-Hakone collegiate ekiden road relay

Aoyama Gakuin University anchor runner Sota Orita crosses the finish line in Tokyo's Otemachi business district on Jan. 3, 2026, securing the university's third consecutive year of victory in the two-day Tokyo-Hakone collegiate ekiden road relay.

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Figure skating: Finlandia Trophy

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in the men's short program at the Finlandia Trophy figure skating competition in Helsinki on Nov. 21, 2025.

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Figure skating: Finlandia Trophy

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in the men's short program at the Finlandia Trophy figure skating competition in Helsinki on Nov. 21, 2025.

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Figure skating: Finlandia Trophy

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in the men's short program at the Finlandia Trophy figure skating competition in Helsinki on Nov. 21, 2025.

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Figure skating: Finlandia Trophy

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in the men's free program at the Finlandia Trophy figure skating competition in Helsinki on Nov. 22, 2025.

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Figure skating: Finlandia Trophy

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in the men's free program at the Finlandia Trophy figure skating competition in Helsinki on Nov. 22, 2025.

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Figure skating: Finlandia Trophy

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in the men's free program at the Finlandia Trophy figure skating competition in Helsinki on Nov. 22, 2025.

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Figure skating: Finlandia Trophy

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in the men's free program at the Finlandia Trophy figure skating competition in Helsinki on Nov. 22, 2025.

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Figure skating: Finlandia Trophy

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in the men's free program at the Finlandia Trophy figure skating competition in Helsinki on Nov. 22, 2025.

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ISU Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in Men's free skating Program during figure skating ISU Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy Helsinki competition in Helsinki, Finland on November 22, 2025. LEHTIKUVA / MIKKO STIG - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Mikko Stig/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

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ISU Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in Men's free skating Program during figure skating ISU Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy Helsinki competition in Helsinki, Finland on November 22, 2025. LEHTIKUVA / MIKKO STIG - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Mikko Stig/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

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ISU Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in Men's free skating Program during figure skating ISU Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy Helsinki competition in Helsinki, Finland on November 22, 2025. LEHTIKUVA / MIKKO STIG - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Mikko Stig/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

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ISU Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in Men's free skating Program during figure skating ISU Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy Helsinki competition in Helsinki, Finland on November 22, 2025. LEHTIKUVA / MIKKO STIG - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Mikko Stig/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

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ISU Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in Men's free skating Program during figure skating ISU Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy Helsinki competition in Helsinki, Finland on November 22, 2025. LEHTIKUVA / MIKKO STIG - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Mikko Stig/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

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Figure Skating - ISU - Grand Prix - Finlandia Trophy Helsinki 2025

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in Men's Short Program during figure skating ISU Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy Helsinki competition in Helsinki, Finland on November 21, 2025. LEHTIKUVA / HEIKKI SAUKKOMAA - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Heikki Saukkomaa/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

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Figure Skating - ISU - Grand Prix - Finlandia Trophy Helsinki 2025

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in Men's Short Program during figure skating ISU Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy Helsinki competition in Helsinki, Finland on November 21, 2025. LEHTIKUVA / HEIKKI SAUKKOMAA - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Heikki Saukkomaa/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

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Figure Skating - ISU - Grand Prix - Finlandia Trophy Helsinki 2025

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in Men's Short Program during figure skating ISU Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy Helsinki competition in Helsinki, Finland on November 21, 2025. LEHTIKUVA / HEIKKI SAUKKOMAA - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Heikki Saukkomaa/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

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Figure Skating - ISU - Grand Prix - Finlandia Trophy Helsinki 2025

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in Men's Short Program during figure skating ISU Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy Helsinki competition in Helsinki, Finland on November 21, 2025. LEHTIKUVA / HEIKKI SAUKKOMAA - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Heikki Saukkomaa/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

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Figure Skating - ISU - Grand Prix - Finlandia Trophy Helsinki 2025

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in Men's Short Program during figure skating ISU Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy Helsinki competition in Helsinki, Finland on November 21, 2025. LEHTIKUVA / HEIKKI SAUKKOMAA - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Heikki Saukkomaa/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

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Figure Skating - ISU - Grand Prix - Finlandia Trophy Helsinki 2025

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in Men's Short Program during figure skating ISU Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy Helsinki competition in Helsinki, Finland on November 21, 2025. LEHTIKUVA / HEIKKI SAUKKOMAA - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Heikki Saukkomaa/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

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Figure Skating - ISU - Grand Prix - Finlandia Trophy Helsinki 2025

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in Men's Short Program during figure skating ISU Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy Helsinki competition in Helsinki, Finland on November 21, 2025. LEHTIKUVA / HEIKKI SAUKKOMAA - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Heikki Saukkomaa/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

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Figure Skating - ISU - Grand Prix - Finlandia Trophy Helsinki 2025

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in Men's Short Program during figure skating ISU Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy Helsinki competition in Helsinki, Finland on November 21, 2025. LEHTIKUVA / HEIKKI SAUKKOMAA - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Heikki Saukkomaa/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

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Figure Skating - ISU - Grand Prix - Finlandia Trophy Helsinki 2025

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in Men's Short Program during figure skating ISU Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy Helsinki competition in Helsinki, Finland on November 21, 2025. LEHTIKUVA / HEIKKI SAUKKOMAA - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Heikki Saukkomaa/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

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Figure skating: Cup of China

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in the men's free program at the Cup of China figure skating competition on Oct. 25, 2025, in Chongqing.

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Figure skating: Cup of China

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in the men's free program at the Cup of China figure skating competition on Oct. 25, 2025, in Chongqing.

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Figure skating: Cup of China

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in the men's free program at the Cup of China figure skating competition on Oct. 25, 2025, in Chongqing.

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Figure skating: Cup of China

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in the men's short program at the Cup of China figure skating competition on Oct. 24, 2025, in Chongqing.

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Figure skating: Cup of China

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in the men's short program at the Cup of China figure skating competition on Oct. 24, 2025, in Chongqing.

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Figure skating: Cup of China

Sota Yamamoto of Japan performs in the men's short program at the Cup of China figure skating competition on Oct. 24, 2025, in Chongqing.

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SPORT INVERNALI - Pattinaggio sul Ghiaccio - Figure Skating - Road to 26 Trophy

Sota Yamamoto of Japan seen in action during FMC2026 Figure Skating Road to 26 Trophy Men single skating short program at Unipol Forum

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SPORT INVERNALI - Pattinaggio sul Ghiaccio - Figure Skating - Road to 26 Trophy

Sota Yamamoto of Japan seen in action during FMC2026 Figure Skating Road to 26 Trophy Men single skating short program at Unipol Forum

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SPORT INVERNALI - Pattinaggio sul Ghiaccio - Figure Skating - Road to 26 Trophy

Sota Yamamoto of Japan seen in action during FMC2026 Figure Skating Road to 26 Trophy Men single skating short program at Unipol Forum

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SPORT INVERNALI - Pattinaggio sul Ghiaccio - Figure Skating - Road to 26 Trophy

Sota Yamamoto of Japan seen in action during FMC2026 Figure Skating Road to 26 Trophy Men single skating short program at Unipol Forum

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SPORT INVERNALI - Pattinaggio sul Ghiaccio - Figure Skating - Road to 26 Trophy

Sota Yamamoto of Japan seen in action during FMC2026 Figure Skating Road to 26 Trophy Men single skating short program at Unipol Forum

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SPORT INVERNALI - Pattinaggio sul Ghiaccio - Figure Skating - Road to 26 Trophy

Sota Yamamoto of Japan seen in action during FMC2026 Figure Skating Road to 26 Trophy Men single skating short program at Unipol Forum

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SPORT INVERNALI - Pattinaggio sul Ghiaccio - Figure Skating - Road to 26 Trophy

Sota Yamamoto of Japan seen in action during FMC2026 Figure Skating Road to 26 Trophy Men single skating short program at Unipol Forum

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SPORT INVERNALI - Pattinaggio sul Ghiaccio - Figure Skating - Road to 26 Trophy

Sota Yamamoto of Japan seen in action during FMC2026 Figure Skating Road to 26 Trophy Men single skating short program at Unipol Forum

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SPORT INVERNALI - Pattinaggio sul Ghiaccio - Figure Skating - Road to 26 Trophy

Sota Yamamoto of Japan seen in action during FMC2026 Figure Skating Road to 26 Trophy Men single skating short program at Unipol Forum

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SPORT INVERNALI - Pattinaggio sul Ghiaccio - Figure Skating - Road to 26 Trophy

Sota Yamamoto of Japan seen in action during FMC2026 Figure Skating Road to 26 Trophy Men single skating short program at Unipol Forum

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SPORT INVERNALI - Pattinaggio sul Ghiaccio - Figure Skating - Road to 26 Trophy

Sota Yamamoto of Japan fans seen during FMC2026 Figure Skating Road to 26 Trophy Men single skating short program at Unipol Forum

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SPORT INVERNALI - Pattinaggio sul Ghiaccio - Figure Skating - Road to 26 Trophy

Sota Yamamoto of Japan seen in action during FMC2026 Figure Skating Road to 26 Trophy Men single skating short program at Unipol Forum

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SPORT INVERNALI - Pattinaggio sul Ghiaccio - Figure Skating - Road to 26 Trophy

Sota Yamamoto of Japan seen in action during FMC2026 Figure Skating Road to 26 Trophy Men single skating short program at Unipol Forum