Osaka Blueteon kicked off the 2025-2026 men’s Daido Life SV.League opening on Friday with a huge win against defending champions Suntory Sunbirds, 23-25, 25-21, 26-24, 25-20, at the Glion Arena Kobe in Japan.
Cuban outside hitter Miguel Lopez led the Blueteon’s offence, scoring a total of 17 points. Japanese opposite Yuji Nishida also contributed with 15 points.
The bronze medalist from last year’s tournament was also guided by a new coach, Finland’s Tuomas Sammelvuo.
Meanwhile, Russian opposite Dmitriy Muserskiy’s impressive 27-point scoring effort was insufficient to secure the Sunbirds’ first victory in the new SV.League season.
Troubled times for Takahashi
Team captain Ran Takahashi also tallied 13 points in the opening match despite facing online criticism triggered by his alleged affair with a film actress.
Takahashi’s troubles began when the Japanese newspaper Bunshun Online reported that the 24-year-old spiker was spotted with actress Saika Kawatika at a hotel recently.
Bunshun reported that the two were also spotted together on several other occasions over the past few months.
However, Takahashi is currently linked with influencer Uka, although the volleyball player has already denied any romantic relationship with the Instagram model.
The Sunbirds team captain denied the cheating scandal this week, telling reporters that he is only friends with both Kawatika and Uka.
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“We are just friends. Nothing more. We did not use the sauna together,” Takahashi said, referring to his ties with Uka.
Meanwhile, the Japanese star also rejected the online reports about his relationship with Kawatika.
“She’s a friend and colleague. There’s nothing romantic between us. I recommend you contact my agency if you need more details,” he added, according to VNExpress International.
Takahashi also acknowledged the online issue surrounding his personal life on Instagram and apologised to his fans for the controversy.
He also promised to focus on the Suntory Sunbirds’ campaign in the SV.League as they try to defend their title.
New challenge
Even though Takahashi promised to defend his team’s crown for the new season, other Japanese teams are also up for the challenge to take home the gold medal.
Silver medalists JTEKT Stings Aichi will start their campaign this weekend and will parade French opposite Stephen Boyer.
The team will also feature Brazilian player Ricardo Lucarelli and American hitter Torey DeFalco.
Wolfdogs Nagoya and Hiroshima Thunders, who both had decent placements last year, will also challenge the Sunbirds’ campaign.
Japan national team member and opposite hitter Kento Miyaura will lead Nagoya’s fight, alongside Polish middle blocker Norbert Huber and French outside hitter Timothee Carle.
Meanwhile, Brazilian opposite Felipe Roque returns for the Thunders and will be teaming up with American reinforcement Cooper Robinson for this season.
According to Volleyball World, the Japan SV.League games will be streamed live on VBTV.
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SportJustSport writers