Weekly Sports Roundup: Gymnast Kailin Chio, Slugger Seiya Suzuki, Kicker Kansei Matsuzawa
By James Moreau | 01 May, 2026

This Week in Asian Sports LSU star Kailin Chio lands a Honda Award nomination while Seiya Suzuki and Kansei Matsuzawa make major moves in the MLB and NFL.

LSU standout Kailin Chio has been named one of four finalists for the Class of 2026 Honda Sport Award for gymnastics, a prestigious honor recognizing the top female athlete in the sport. This nomination follows a sensational run where she was ranked as the No. 1 gymnast in the NCAA for four consecutive weeks in 2026, leading the Tigers this season with 13 perfect scores and an NCAA runner-up finish. These accolades add to her resume as the 2025 national vault champion, solidifying her status as the most dominant force in collegiate gymnastics.

On the baseball diamond, Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki is making up for lost time after a right knee injury suffered during the World Baseball Classic sidelined him for Opening Day. Since returning to the lineup, Suzuki has been on a blistering tear, launching five home runs in his last seven games while elevating his batting average to a sharp .317 through 17 appearances. His quick return to form has been instrumental in keeping the Cubs competitive in the NL Central, proving himself as a vital centerpiece of the team’s offensive engine.

Former University of Hawai’i kicker and Lou Groza Award finalist Kansei Matsuzawa has officially signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent.  Matsuzawa enters a favorable situation in Vegas; he is expected to provide serious competition for the starting role against journeyman Matt Gay.  Gay struggled significantly last year, posting a career-low 74% field goal percentage in his seventh season.  “Tokyo Toe” set a Hawaii program single season record with 27 field goals made, making 93% of his attempts. With Matsuzawa’s proven collegiate accuracy, the battle for the Raiders’ kicking duties will be one of the most watched storylines of training camp.