Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on January 2010

Ryo Ishikawa: Courtesy of the Golf Times; Yuko Sano vs. Korea: FIVB Photo; Yoshie Takeshita vs. Thai: FIVB Photo; Kosuke Kitajima: Courtesy of Sunny Side Up

Every New Year brings hope of sporting success, but sometimes our expectations outweigh reality. This is particularly true in Japan, where sports coverage too often focuses exclusively on the achievements—or otherwise—of the nation’s athletes. Still, if you can manage not to get too carried away, here are ten reasons to feel excited about 2010.

Moguls World Cup champion Aiko Uemura is the hot favorite to win gold in Vancouver, as Japan hopes to improve on its dreadful performance in Turin in 2006, when Shizuka Arakawa’s late gold was the country’s only medal of the Games. Miki Ando and Mao Asada might provide hope in the figure skating, while Japan’s ski jumping team—bronze medalists in the World Championships—could also claim a podium finish. Olympic Games, Feb 12-28, Vancouver

It’s a World Cup year, giving Japan an opportunity to wipe out the memory of Germany 2006, when they managed a single measly point. Facing Holland, Denmark and Cameroon with two useless full-backs could make it tough, but there is enough skill in the rest of the team to hope for an upset. World Cup, Jun 11-Jul 11, South Africa

If you’re Japanese, you might not think sumo is much fun nowadays. If you’re a foreign sports fan, on the other hand, you’d have to be dumber than dumb not to see the fantastic rivalries in today’s sumo world. Apart from the marauding Mongol yokozuna Hakuho (pictured) and Asashoryu—with Hakuho now firmly established as No. 1—fellow Mongolian Harumafuji and Bulgarian Kotooshu are both capable of winning tournaments, while Estonia’s Baruto is getting better all the time. Grand Sumo Tournaments, Jan 10-24/May 9-23/Sep 12-26, Ryogoku Kokugikan

The good news is that Kosuke Kitajima (pictured)—double Olympic gold medalist in both Sydney and Beijing—is back in the pool and aiming for the 2012 London Olympics. Meanwhile, backstroker Ryosuke Irie continues making waves and even had a world record to his name before finding out he was wearing the wrong swimsuit. Japan Open 2010, Feb 27-28, Tatsumi Pool, Tokyo

Japan will host the women’s World Championships later in the year, and hopes that the support from fans here will carry the players to a podium finish. At the recent Grand Champions Cup, the men shone brightest by claiming bronze, but the women also played really tough. With a bit of luck, it could be a breakout year. Women’s World Championship, Oct 29-Nov 14, Hamamatsu/Matsumoto/Nagoya/Osaka/Tokyo

Koki Kameda is a world champion again. Everyone loves to hate the Kamedas, but they’re an intriguing story and Koki is a decent fighter—certainly superior to cuddly Daisuke Naito, whom he beat to take the title at the end of November. And he’s not without his charm, unlike his lunatic sibling, Daiki. Look out for the youngest Kameda, Tomoki, to start spreading his wings in 2010. Schedule TBA

Last year was an exciting one for golf in Japan. The women’s tour champion wasn’t decided until the penultimate putt of the year, and Sakura Yokomine became the money leader for the first time, leap-frogging Shinobu Moromizato by clinching the final tournament. The men’s tour wasn’t much different. Yuta Ikeda led for most of the year, but was hampered by injuries in the last month or so, allowing Ryo Ishikawa (pictured) to steal in and take the money title at the age of 18. With Shigeki Maruyama winning his first Japan Tour title in ten years on the final day, things have been set up nicely for 2010. Token Homemate Cup, Apr 15-18, Token Tado Country Club, Nagoya

Last year, Japan was finally awarded the World Cup—in 2019, for those looking ahead—so every game for John Kirwan’s men now has added meaning. And with the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand only 20 months away, Japan will be hoping to improve to a genuinely competitive level. Look for some decent matchups in the run-up to the World Cup, and tougher competition in the Top League. Top League Playoffs Final, Jan 31, Chichibunomiya Rugby Ground, Gaienmae

Japan has been in the doldrums since Daijiro Kato died after a crash in the 2003 Japan Grand Prix. Back then, nine of the top 25 riders were Japanese; last year, only one was. Japan’s riders had done nothing in any of the Grand Prix categories until Hiroshi Aoyama clinched the 250cc title in 2009. This year, he’ll be carrying the nation’s hopes on his shoulders as he moves up to MotoGP. Japan Grand Prix, Apr 23-25, Twin Ring Motegi

The irrepressible and very likeable Kimiko Date-Krumm is once again Japan’s top tennis player, now that Ai Sugiyama has retired to go and spend her $8 million prize money. Date, 39, became the second oldest winner of a WTA tournament when she was victorious in Korea in September. She has shot up to No. 70 in the world, 13 places higher than her nearest Japanese rival, Ayumi Morita. Toray Pan Pacific Open, Sep 27-Oct 3, Ariake Colosseum