Japan Wins First Rhythmic Gymnastics Gold, Silver in Ribbon; Men's 400m Medley Relay Gold; Sato's 400m Win Restored

Japan secured its first-ever gold medal in the rhythmic gymnastics group all-around at the World Championships held in Rio de Janeiro on August 23, 2025. The Japanese team, known as “Fairy Japan,” surpassed their previous best results of second place finishes in 1975 and 2019, marking their return to the podium after four championships. The team members included Hanamura, Inaki, Miyoshi, Nishimoto, Suzuki, and Taguchi. Despite some internal challenges related to coaching leadership, the team achieved this historic victory. Additionally, Japan won a silver medal in the ribbon event at the same championships. In swimming, Japan's men's 400-meter medley relay team won gold at the World Junior Championships in Romania on August 24, setting a new high school record of 3 minutes 35 seconds, breaking a 13-year-old record. In athletics, the qualification period for the World Championships in Tokyo ended on August 24, with approximately 70 Japanese athletes expected to participate, including notable sprinters Yoshihide Kiryu, Yusuke Mori, and Hakim Sani Brown. Furthermore, the Japan Association of Athletics Federations overturned the disqualification of Fuga Sato in the men's 400-meter final at the July 6 Japanese Championships, reinstating him as the winner due to a misinterpretation of competition rules.