Sports Talk presented by JAPAN Forward SportsTalk

In the latest episode of the podcast, Nagoya Diamond Dolphins head coach Shawn Dennis analyzes his team's ups and downs during the 2023-24 B.League season as it challenges to clinch a playoff berth.The Australian basketball mentor has guided the team to a 35-19 record through Wednesday, April 17. He shares viewpoints about the maturation of team captain Yutaro Suda and dynamic point guard Takumi Saito. In a wide-ranging interview with SportsLook editor Ed Odeven, Dennis also provides background on the team's primary offensive and defensive strategies and overall success this season.The Diamond Dolphins have had a pair of seven-game winning streaks and also triumphed in 11 straight games in another impressive stretch. With that in mind, Dennis breaks down some of the team's keys to success during these impressive runs.



Shawn Dennis Gives Perspectives on the B.League's Overall Growth



Having worked in the B.League since its inception in 2016, including as a head coach of the Shiga Lakestars (now Lakes) from 2017-21, Dennis has a wealth of knowledge about the growth of the league and its reputation on a global scale. He offers some keen insights on top players and coaches around the league and how it has improved in all facets of operations.







RELATED:





* [JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] Utsunomiya Brex are Thriving with Team-First Play


* Evessa and Diamond Dolphins Setting the Pace in the B.League


* #8 Sports Talk ― Shawn Dennis on the Challenge of Building Winning Culture with Nagoya





Join the conversation as SportsLook goes live with Twitter Spaces every month. The announcement will be made on our X account. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below.Author: Ed Odeven

There was no shortage of news during MLB's season-opening Seoul Series on March 20-21. This podcast episode highlights the whirlwind days in the South Korean capital.



In between the two Los Angeles Dodgers versus San Diego Padres games, Shohei Ohtani's longtime interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was fired after allegations of "massive theft" from the baseball superstar to cover gambling debts surfaced. 



Sports reporter Jim Armstrong was there. In this episode, Armstrong and SportsLook editor Ed Odeven talk about the atmosphere surrounding MLB's first regular-season series in South Korea. As they review the event, they also analyze the performances of Ohtani, Dodgers Game 2 starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Padres Game 1 starter Yu Darvish.



Looking Back at the Seoul Series



Armstrong shares observations about heightened security at the Gocheok Sky Dome before the opening game. This came after a reported bomb threat directed at Ohtani. He also provides a few recollections about the Korean fans' spirited embrace of both teams, especially Ohtani.The reporter and sports editor discuss the magnitude of the scandal and how it overshadowed media coverage of the games while also noting that legalized sports betting has had exponential growth in the United States in recent years. Additionally, they addressed the uncertainty of how this scandal will impact Ohtani's reputation and career.



Join the conversation as SportsLook goes live with Twitter Spaces every month. The announcement will be made on our X account. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below.







RELATED:





* Dodgers Fire Shohei Ohtani's Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara Amid Allegations of 'Massive Theft'


* Yoshinobu Yamamoto Struggles in Debut as Padres Beat Dodgers in the Seoul Series Finale


* Shohei Ohtani Era Begins as Dodgers Rally to Beat Padres in the MLB Opener





Author: Ed Odeven

Figure skating aficionados from around the globe are ready to follow the drama as it unfolds in Montreal, Canada, during the 2024 World Figure Skating Championships. Competition will be held from Wednesday through Sunday, March 20-24 in this picturesque Quebec city.Of particular interest to fans from Japan: Can Kaori Sakamoto and Shoma Uno capture their third consecutive women's and men's world titles, respectively?



In this podcast episode, figure skating writer and Ice Time columnist Jack Gallagher and SportsLook editor Ed Odeven discuss the two-time reigning champions' title prospects in Montreal. 



Their conversation also analyzes the outlook for other Japanese singles entrants: Mone Chiba and Hana Yoshida on the women's side and Yuma Kagiyama and Kao Miura in the men's field.Also highlighted in this wide-ranging talk about the 2023-24 skating season is two-time world junior champion Mao Shimada's rise to stardom along with the development of other top Japanese juniors, including 13-year-old Rena Uezono and world juniors men's silver medalist Rio Nakata. 



Join the conversation as SportsLook goes live with Twitter Spaces every month. The announcement will be made on our X account. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below.







RELATED:



* Shoma Uno Wins Second Straight World Title Despite Free Skate Struggles* Kaori Sakamoto Makes History by Winning Second Consecutive World Title* [ICE TIME] A World Championships to Remember for Kaori Sakamoto and Shoma Uno







Author: Ed Odeven



Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.

Sports reporter Jim Armstrong returns to the podcast to review the Japan Series, which wrapped up on November 5 at Osaka's Kyocera Dome.In his chat with sports editor Ed Odeven, Armstrong highlights the drama of NPB's seven-game championship series between the Orix Buffaloes and the Hanshin Tigers. The conversation spells out why it was one of the most memorable Japan Series of the past few decades.Clutch hits, various miscues, dominating and disappointing pitching performances (for both teams), and managerial tactics by title-winning skipper Akinobu Okada of the Tigers and Satoshi Nakajima of the Buffaloes are also bandied about.There was no shortage of memorable action on the field, including Japan Series MVP Koji Chikamoto's overall performance, as the hosts point out.



Join the conversation as SportsLook goes live with Twitter Spaces every month. The announcement will be made on our X account. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below.







RELATED:





* [ODDS and EVENS] 2023 Japan Series: A Compelling Mix of Highlights and Drama


* Sheldon Neuse Leads Hanshin Tigers to First Japan Series Title in 38 Years





Author: Ed Odeven

With surgical precision, Naoya Inoue outboxed Stephen Fulton in their super bantamweight title fight on Tuesday, July 25. Inoue's jab was a powerful catalyst for success from the get-go as he dictated the tempo of the fight, pummeling Fulton and capturing the Philadelphian's WBC and WBO title belts.In this podcast episode, sports reporter Colin Morrison and SportsLook editor Ed Odeven share their overall thoughts on both boxers' tactics throughout the match at Ariake Arena and analyze the key moments in the fight leading up to Inoue's eighth-round technical knockout of Fulton. 



So what's next for Inoue (25-0, 22 knockouts)? 



Listen in to learn more about Monster's likely next opponent in 2023: IBF and WBA super bantamweight champion Marlon Tapales (37-3, 19 KOs), who attended Tuesday’s fight. And we look ahead to Inoue's future, possibly as early as 2024, as a featherweight.







Join the conversation as SportsLook goes live with Twitter Spaces every month. The announcement will be made on our Twitter account. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below.



RELATED:





* [SOCIAL WIRE] Naoya Inoue Outclasses Stephen Fulton and the Boxing World Reacts


* Naoya Inoue Dethrones Stephen Fulton to Become Super Bantamweight Champ


* Naoya Inoue Out to Snatch Away Stephen Fulton's Super Bantamweight Crowns


* Focus on Stephen Fulton Ahead of Monster Super Bantamweight Fight


* [JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] Naoya Inoue Faces a Stiff Challenge in Showdown with Stephen Fulton





Author: Ed Odeven

Listen in as Shane Barclay, president and owner of JapanBall, discusses his passion for all things baseball, including his company's NPB tours in Japan and excursions to other countries. 



Barclay shares insights on what he learned while working for MLB. In a wide-ranging conversation with sports editor Ed Odeven, he also highlights his excitement for the 2023 World Baseball Classic and the upcoming Japanese baseball season.



"JapanBall is the leader in international baseball tourism," Barclay says on the podcast, "and I would say a leader in Japanese baseball news and information and content in the English language."Barclay, who talks about loving baseball since his youth, mentions that JapanBall is dedicated to customizing its baseball tours to give customers unique, enjoyable experiences. Looking ahead to February 2024, for example, JapanBall is adding an Okinawa spring training tour to its schedule, providing opportunities to enjoy the tropical environment while watching games and exploring the island, too.







RELATED:



* JapanBall’s Shane Barclay Spreads American Fans’ Love of Baseball Across Oceans* #14 Sports Talk ― Fred Claire Looks Back on MLB Trailblazer Hideo Nomo’s Profound Impact* #13 Sports Talk ― Jeff Fletcher Shares Insights About His New Book on Shohei Ohtani



Join the conversation as SportsLook goes live with Twitter Spaces every month. The announcement will be made on our Twitter account. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below.



Author: Ed Odeven



Follow Ed in his weekly [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and Twitter ＠ed_odeven.