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Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

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

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 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

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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2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

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2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

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2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

  •  
2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

2026 Australian Open - Day 3 - Melbourne

Gael Monfils (FRA) played his last match in Australia losing to Dane Sweeny (AUS) during his first round match at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Milan-Cortina Olympics

Milan-Cortina Olympics

Photo taken on Dec. 23, 2025, shows illuminated pictograms representing various disciplines played at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.

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Milan-Cortina Olympics

Milan-Cortina Olympics

Photo taken on Dec. 23, 2025, shows illuminated pictograms representing various disciplines played at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.

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Milan-Cortina Olympics

Milan-Cortina Olympics

Photo taken on Dec. 24, 2025, shows illuminated pictograms representing various disciplines played at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.

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Ancient court football at Kyoto shrine

Ancient court football at Kyoto shrine

People clad in traditional attire play "kemari," a football game played by nobles in Japan's Heian period (794-1185), at Shimogamo shrine in Kyoto on Jan. 4, 2026.

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Ancient court football at Kyoto shrine

Ancient court football at Kyoto shrine

People clad in traditional attire play "kemari," a football game played by nobles in Japan's Heian period (794-1185), at Shimogamo shrine in Kyoto on Jan. 4, 2026.

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Ancient court football at Kyoto shrine

Ancient court football at Kyoto shrine

People clad in traditional attire play "kemari," a football game played by nobles in Japan's Heian period (794-1185), at Shimogamo shrine in Kyoto on Jan. 4, 2026.

  •  
Ancient court football at Kyoto shrine

Ancient court football at Kyoto shrine

People clad in traditional attire play "kemari," a football game played by nobles in Japan's Heian period (794-1185), at Shimogamo shrine in Kyoto on Jan. 4, 2026.

  •  
Ancient court football at Kyoto shrine

Ancient court football at Kyoto shrine

People clad in traditional attire play "kemari," a football game played by nobles in Japan's Heian period (794-1185), at Shimogamo shrine in Kyoto on Jan. 4, 2026.

  •  
Ancient court football at Kyoto shrine

Ancient court football at Kyoto shrine

People clad in traditional attire play "kemari," a football game played by nobles in Japan's Heian period (794-1185), at Shimogamo shrine in Kyoto on Jan. 4, 2026.

  •  
Ancient court football at Kyoto shrine

Ancient court football at Kyoto shrine

People clad in traditional attire play "kemari," a football game played by nobles in Japan's Heian period (794-1185), at Shimogamo shrine in Kyoto on Jan. 4, 2026.

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