Paris Olympics: Fencing

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Japanese men's fencing team foil gold medalists (from L) Kazuki Iimura, Kyosuke Matsuyama, Yudai Nagano and Takahiro Shikine are pictured at the Paris Olympics Champions Park at the Trocadero in the French capital on Aug. 5, 2024.

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Japanese fencers (from L) Takahiro Shikine, Yudai Nagano, Kyosuke Matsuyama and Kazuki Iimura celebrate after winning gold in the men's team foil event at the Paris Olympics, at the Grand Palais in Paris on Aug. 4, 2024.

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Japanese fencers (from L) Takahiro Shikine, Yudai Nagano, Kyosuke Matsuyama and Kazuki Iimura celebrate on the podium after winning gold in the men's team foil event at the Paris Olympics, at the Grand Palais in Paris on Aug. 4, 2024.

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Japanese fencers (from L) Yudai Nagano, Takahiro Shikine, Kyosuke Matsuyama and Kazuki Iimura celebrate winning the men's team foil final at the Paris Olympics, at the Grand Palais in Paris on Aug. 4, 2024.

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Japanese fencers (from L) Yudai Nagano, Takahiro Shikine, Kyosuke Matsuyama and Kazuki Iimura celebrate winning the men's team foil final at the Paris Olympics, at the Grand Palais in Paris on Aug. 4, 2024.

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Japanese fencers (from L) Yudai Nagano, Takahiro Shikine, Kyosuke Matsuyama and Kazuki Iimura celebrate winning the men's team foil final at the Paris Olympics, at the Grand Palais in Paris on Aug. 4, 2024.

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Japanese fencers (from L) Yudai Nagano, Takahiro Shikine, Kyosuke Matsuyama and Kazuki Iimura celebrate winning the men's team foil final at the Paris Olympics, at the Grand Palais in Paris on Aug. 4, 2024.

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Japanese fencers (from L) Takahiro Shikine, Yudai Nagano, Kyosuke Matsuyama and Kazuki Iimura pose with their gold medals for the men's team foil event at the Paris Olympics on Aug. 4, 2024, at the Grand Palais in Paris.

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Japanese fencer Yudai Nagano reacts after winning a point in the men's team foil final against Italy at the Paris Olympics, at the Grand Palais in Paris on Aug. 4, 2024.

Boxing: Shigeoka brothers to defend world titles in March

Boxing: Shigeoka brothers to defend world titles in March

Japanese boxing brothers Yudai (R) and Ginjiro Shigeoka pose for a photo in Tokyo on Feb. 5, 2024, after their world minimumweight title matches on March 31 in Nagoya were announced.

Mazars Challenge International - Paris

Mazars Challenge International - Paris

USA foilist NICK ITKIN (R) competes against Japan's foilist YUDAI NAGANO during the final challenge of the Mazars Challenge International de Paris fencing on January 14, 2024. Photo by Firas Abdullah/ABACAPRESS.COM

Mazars Challenge International - Paris

Mazars Challenge International - Paris

USA foilist NICK ITKIN (R) competes against Japan's foilist YUDAI NAGANO during the final challenge of the Mazars Challenge International de Paris fencing on January 14, 2024. Photo by Firas Abdullah/ABACAPRESS.COM

Mazars Challenge International - Paris

Mazars Challenge International - Paris

USA foilist NICK ITKIN (R) competes against Japan's foilist YUDAI NAGANO during the final challenge of the Mazars Challenge International de Paris fencing on January 14, 2024. Photo by Firas Abdullah/ABACAPRESS.COM

Mazars Challenge International - Paris

Mazars Challenge International - Paris

USA foilist NICK ITKIN (R) competes against Japan's foilist YUDAI NAGANO during the final challenge of the Mazars Challenge International de Paris fencing on January 14, 2024. Photo by Firas Abdullah/ABACAPRESS.COM

Mazars Challenge International - Paris

Mazars Challenge International - Paris

USA foilist NICK ITKIN (R) competes against Japan's foilist YUDAI NAGANO during the final challenge of the Mazars Challenge International de Paris fencing on January 14, 2024. Photo by Firas Abdullah/ABACAPRESS.COM

(SP)MYANMAR-YANGON-FOOTBALL-AFC CUP-SHAN UNITED FC VS PHNOM PENH CROWN FC

(SP)MYANMAR-YANGON-FOOTBALL-AFC CUP-SHAN UNITED FC VS PHNOM PENH CROWN FC

(231215) -- YANGON, Dec. 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Yudai Ogawa (L) of Phnom Penh Crown FC vies with Mark Sekyi (R) of Shan United FC during the Group F match between Phnom Penh Crown FC and Shan United FC at AFC Cup in Yangon, Myanmar, Dec. 14, 2023. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua)

(SP)CHINA-BEIJING-SPEED SKATING-ISU WORLD CUP-DAY 1(CN)

(SP)CHINA-BEIJING-SPEED SKATING-ISU WORLD CUP-DAY 1(CN)

(231117) -- BEIJING, Nov. 17, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Morishige Wataru (L) and Yamamoto Yudai of Japan compete during the 1st 500m Men Division A on the Day 1 of ISU World Cup Speed Skating at National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)

Boxing: Yudai Shigeoka vs. Panya Pradabsri

Boxing: Yudai Shigeoka vs. Panya Pradabsri

WBC interim minimumweight champion Yudai Shigeoka (R) of Japan throws a punch at champion Panya Pradabsri of Thailand during the second round of a boxing title consolidation bout at Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo on Oct. 7, 2023.

Boxing: Yudai Shigeoka vs. Panya Pradabsri

Boxing: Yudai Shigeoka vs. Panya Pradabsri

WBC interim minimumweight champion Yudai Shigeoka (back) of Japan throws a punch at champion Panya Pradabsri of Thailand during the fifth round of a boxing title consolidation bout at Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo on Oct. 7, 2023.

Boxing: Japan's Shigeoka brothers

Boxing: Japan's Shigeoka brothers

Japan's Ginjiro Shigeoka (L) and his older brother Yudai Shigeoka pose with their belts after winning the IBF and WBC minimumweight titles, respectively, in a boxing doubleheader at Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo on Oct. 7, 2023.

Boxing: Japan's Shigeoka brothers

Boxing: Japan's Shigeoka brothers

Japan's Ginjiro Shigeoka (L) and his older brother Yudai Shigeoka pose with their belts after winning the IBF and WBC minimumweight titles, respectively, in a boxing doubleheader at Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo on Oct. 7, 2023.

Boxing: WBC minimumweight champ Panya

Boxing: WBC minimumweight champ Panya

WBC minimumweight champion Panya Pradabsri of Thailand holds an open workout session for the media in Tokyo on Oct. 2, 2023, ahead of his upcoming boxing fight against WBC interim champion Yudai Shigeoka.

Boxing: WBC minimumweight champ Panya

Boxing: WBC minimumweight champ Panya

WBC minimumweight champion Panya Pradabsri of Thailand holds an open workout session for the media in Tokyo on Oct. 2, 2023, ahead of his upcoming boxing fight against WBC interim champion Yudai Shigeoka.

Japanese boxer Yudai Shigeoka

Japanese boxer Yudai Shigeoka

WBC interim minimumweight champion Yudai Shigeoka attends a press conference in Tokyo on Sept. 6, 2023, in which a world title double header for next month featuring him and his brother was announced.

Boxing: Shigeoka brothers

Boxing: Shigeoka brothers

WBC interim minimumweight champion Yudai Shigeoka (R) and his younger brother, IBF interim minimumweight champion Ginjiro Shigeoka, pose with their belts at a press conference in Tokyo on Sept. 6, 2023, at which a world title double header for next month was announced.

Basketball: World Cup

Basketball: World Cup

Japan's Yudai Baba dunks during the third quarter of a FIBA Basketball World Cup classification round game against Cape Verde at Okinawa Arena in Okinawa, southern Japan, on Sept. 2, 2023.

Basketball: World Cup

Basketball: World Cup

Japan's Yudai Baba (C) shoots the ball during the first quarter of a FIBA Basketball World Cup classification round game against Venezuela at Okinawa Arena in Okinawa, southern Japan, on Aug. 31, 2023.

Basketball: World Cup

Basketball: World Cup

Japan's Yudai Nishida dribbles the ball down the court during the second quarter of a FIBA Basketball World Cup Group E game against Finland at Okinawa Arena in Okinawa, southern Japan, on Aug. 27, 2023.

(SP)JAPAN-OKINAWA-BASKETBALL FIBA WORLD CUP-GROUP E-JPN VS FIN

(SP)JAPAN-OKINAWA-BASKETBALL FIBA WORLD CUP-GROUP E-JPN VS FIN

(230828) -- OKINAWA, Aug. 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Baba Yudai of Japan reacts after winning the group E match between Japan and Finland at the FIBA World Cup 2023 in Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

(SP)JAPAN-OKINAWA-BASKETBALL FIBA WORLD CUP-GROUP E-JPN VS FIN

(SP)JAPAN-OKINAWA-BASKETBALL FIBA WORLD CUP-GROUP E-JPN VS FIN

(230828) -- OKINAWA, Aug. 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Baba Yudai (R, bottom) of Japan goes for a lay-up during the group E match between Japan and Finland at the FIBA World Cup 2023 in Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

Basketball: World Cup

Basketball: World Cup

Japan's Yudai Baba dunks during the first quarter of a FIBA Basketball World Cup Group E game against Finland at Okinawa Arena in Okinawa, southern Japan, on Aug. 27, 2023.

FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023

FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023

Yudai Baba of Japan during the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Championship group E match between Germany and Japan in Okinawa, 25th of August 2023. LEHTIKUVA / VESA MOILANEN - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Vesa Moilanen/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

(SP)JAPAN-OKINAWA-BASKETBALL-FIBA WORLD CUP-GROUP E-GER VS JPN

(SP)JAPAN-OKINAWA-BASKETBALL-FIBA WORLD CUP-GROUP E-GER VS JPN

(230825) -- OKINAWA, Aug. 25, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Baba Yudai (R) breaks through during the group E first round match between Germany and Japan at the FIBA World Cup 2023 in Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 25, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

Basketball: World Cup

Basketball: World Cup

Japan's Yudai Baba shoots the ball during the first quarter of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Group E match against Germany at Okinawa Arena in Okinawa, southern Japan, on Aug. 25, 2023.

Basketball: World Cup

Basketball: World Cup

Japan's Yudai Baba (L) shoots the ball during the second quarter of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Group E match against Germany at Okinawa Arena in Okinawa, southern Japan, on Aug. 25, 2023.

Basketball: World Cup

Basketball: World Cup

Japan's Yudai Baba dunks the ball during the second quarter of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Group E match against Germany at Okinawa Arena in Okinawa, southern Japan, on Aug. 25, 2023.

Basketball: Japan prepares for World Cup

Basketball: Japan prepares for World Cup

Japanese shooting guard Yudai Baba practices at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on Aug. 16, 2023, a day before their men's basketball World Cup warm-up game against France.

(Chengdu Universiade)CHINA-CHENGDU-WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES-ATHLETICS (CN)

(Chengdu Universiade)CHINA-CHENGDU-WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES-ATHLETICS (CN)

(230804) -- CHENGDU, Aug. 4, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Isadore tsebo Matsoso (R) of South Africa and Nishi Yudai of Japan pose after the Men's 200m Final of athletics at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

Boxing: Yudai Shigeoka vs. Wilfredo Mendez

Boxing: Yudai Shigeoka vs. Wilfredo Mendez

Japan's Yudai Shigeoka poses for a photo after winning the WBC interim minimumweight boxing title by decking Puerto Rico's Wilfredo Mendez at Yoyogi 2nd Gymnasium in Tokyo on April 16, 2023.

Boxing: Yudai Shigeoka vs. Wilfredo Mendez

Boxing: Yudai Shigeoka vs. Wilfredo Mendez

Japan's Yudai Shigeoka reacts after scoring a seventh-round knockout win over Puerto Rico's Wilfredo Mendez (rear) to claim the WBC interim minimumweight boxing title at Yoyogi 2nd Gymnasium in Tokyo on April 16, 2023.

Boxing: Yudai Shigeoka vs. Wilfredo Mendez

Boxing: Yudai Shigeoka vs. Wilfredo Mendez

Japan's Yudai Shigeoka (L) forces Puerto Rico's Wilfredo Mendez to the ropes during the third round of a WBC interim minimumweight world title boxing bout at Yoyogi 2nd Gymnasium in Tokyo on April 16, 2023.

Boxing: Yudai Shigeoka vs. Wilfredo Mendez

Boxing: Yudai Shigeoka vs. Wilfredo Mendez

Japan's Yudai Shigeoka (L) throws a left at Puerto Rico's Wilfredo Mendez during the fourth round of a WBC interim minimumweight world title boxing bout at Yoyogi 2nd Gymnasium in Tokyo on April 16, 2023.

Boxing: Yudai Shigeoka vs. Wilfredo Mendez

Boxing: Yudai Shigeoka vs. Wilfredo Mendez

Japan's Yudai Shigeoka walks away after flooring Puerto Rico's Wilfredo Mendez (rear) in the fifth round of a WBC interim minimumweight world title boxing bout at Yoyogi 2nd Gymnasium in Tokyo on April 16, 2023.

Boxing: Shigeoka brothers

Boxing: Shigeoka brothers

Japanese boxing brothers Yudai (L) and Ginjiro Shigeoka celebrate winning their respective WBC and IBF interim minimumweight title bouts at Yoyogi 2nd Gymnasium in Tokyo on April 16, 2023.

Boxing: Shigeoka brothers

Boxing: Shigeoka brothers

Japanese boxing brothers Yudai (L) and Ginjiro Shigeoka celebrate winning their respective WBC and IBF interim minimumweight title bouts at Yoyogi 2nd Gymnasium in Tokyo on April 16, 2023.

Boxing: Shigeoka brothers

Boxing: Shigeoka brothers

Japanese boxing brothers Yudai (L) and Ginjiro Shigeoka pose with their respective WBC and IBF interim minimumweight belts at a press conference in Tokyo on April 17, 2023.

Boxing: Mendez confirmed as Shigeoka's new opponent

Boxing: Mendez confirmed as Shigeoka's new opponent

Wilfredo Mendez of Puerto Rico attends a press conference in Tokyo on April 12, 2023. Mendez, the World Boxing Council's seventh-ranked minimumweight, will fight third-ranked Yudai Shigeoka for the division's world interim title on April 16.

Japanese boxer Yudai Shigeoka

Japanese boxer Yudai Shigeoka

Yudai Shigeoka, the World Boxing Council's third-ranked minimumweight, speaks to reporters in Tokyo on April 4, 2023. Shigeoka said his opponent for the April 16 world title fight, champion Panya Pradabsri of Thailand, has been forced to withdraw due to illness.

1st Japanese winner of world hot air balloon race

1st Japanese winner of world hot air balloon race

FUKUOKA, Japan - Yudai Fujita, the first Japanese winner of the World Hot Air Balloon World Championship, speaks in an interview on Oct. 3, 2014. He won the event held in Sao Paul, Brazil, last July.

1st Japanese to win world hot air balloon race

1st Japanese to win world hot air balloon race

TOKYO, Japan - Yudai Fujita, a resident of Tochigi Prefecture, eastern Japan, is the first Japanese to win the title of World Hot Air Balloon Champion in a race held in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, in July 2014. This undated photo is from the website of Yazuya Co. that supports Fujita's balloon team.