Panasonic Impulse Triumphs in Rice Bowl, Avenging Three Straight Losses to Fujitsu Frontiers

The Panasonic Impulse emerged victorious in Japan's Rice Bowl American football championship, defeating the Fujitsu Frontiers 34-27 on Friday. This victory marked a significant comeback for the Impulse, who had suffered three consecutive losses to the Frontiers in the same championship since 2022.

The X-League title game witnessed a thrilling encounter, with Panasonic trailing 20-13 in the fourth quarter. However, the Impulse displayed remarkable resilience, scoring three consecutive touchdowns to secure a crucial lead at Tokyo Dome. This triumph earned them their fifth championship title and their first in nine years.

Quarterback Yuya Araki, who orchestrated the game-changing touchdowns, was rightfully awarded the match MVP title. Despite leading after the first and third quarters, Fujitsu fell short of achieving their fourth consecutive title.

Panasonic head coach Naoya Takayama, who guided his team to victory in his first season in charge, attributed their success to their unwavering determination in the final quarter. He emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration between players and staff as the key factor behind their triumph.