Fifteen-year-old Kubo trains with U-19 squad ahead of Argentina trip

Fifteen-year-old Takefusa Kubo trained with the Japanese Under-19 squad Wednesday as the team, which consists of members expected to form the core of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics side, prepared for their two training matches away at Argentina. Playmaker Kubo returned to Japan in 2015 after four years with Barcelona — when the Catalan club was […]

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Relegated Grampus signs Brazilian trio, appoints future president

Relegated Nagoya Grampus announced the signing of three Brazilian players Wednesday, while also revealing the appointment as adviser of a Toyota Motor Corp. senior official, Koki Konishi, who is set to be promoted to club president next spring. Defender Charles, 28, joins from Ceara, while 26-year-old midfielder Felipe Garcia and 30-year-old forward Washington join from […]

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Tanaka looks toward WBC after positive performance during MLB season

New York Yankees right-hander Masahiro Tanaka gave his most recent season in the majors a positive assessment Wednesday, while saying he is keen to suit up for his third World Baseball Classic with Japan next March. Tanaka set his MLB career-best with a 14-4 record and his 199⅔ innings pitched was one of many areas […]

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Norwegian agency proposes 14-month doping ban for Johaug

Norway’s anti-doping agency called for a 14-month ban on Tuesday for cross-country star Therese Johaug after she tested positive for a steroid she said she took unknowingly. The agency’s prosecution committee filed charges to the Norwegian sports federation’s disciplinary committee, which will make a ruling. Johaug, last year’s World Cup champion, tested positive for clostebol, […]

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Cespedes, Mets agree to contract worth $110 million

Yoenis Cespedes is staying with the New York Mets — again. After testing free agency for the second straight offseason, the slugging outfielder agreed to a $110 million, four-year contract with New York, a person familiar with the deal told AP on Tuesday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the […]

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Ohio State holds firm at No. 2 in College Football Playoff rankings

Ohio State held firm at second in the College Football Playoff rankings, putting the Buckeyes in position to become the first team to be selected to the final four without winning its conference. The second-to-last rankings were released Tuesday night and Alabama was No. 1, followed by Ohio State, Clemson and Washington. The Crimson Tide, […]

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Bucks take charge against Cavaliers

After building a big third-quarter lead against the defending NBA champions, the Milwaukee Bucks poured it on in the fourth. And when the Cleveland Cavaliers pulled their starters, including LeBron James, midway through the final period, the young Bucks still didn’t let up. “We didn’t let them off the hook. We were attacking,” said Giannis […]

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Resurgent Carp veteran Arai turned back clock during MVP season

Many fans might have thought Takahiro Arai was heading to the Hiroshima Carp to retire. After the 2014 season, the then-37-year-old left the Hanshin Tigers to join the team he’d spent his first nine years with. Arai was coming off a season in which he’d played 94 games and hit .244 with three home runs […]

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Rangers finish strong to rally past Hurricanes

Rick Nash came up big in the third period for the New York Rangers. Nash tied the score with a highlight-reel goal in the opening minute of the third and then set up Jimmy Vesey’s winner later in the period to rally the Rangers from two goals down for a 3-2 victory over the Carolina […]

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Doctors clear Browns QB Griffin for contact

Robert Griffin III has been cleared by doctors to play again this season. RG3 still needs Browns coach Hue Jackson’s blessing. Griffin passed a final medical test on his injured left shoulder and can now take full contact, paving the way for the quarterback to play on Dec. 11 when the winless Browns return from […]

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Plane carrying Brazilian soccer team Chapecoense crashes; 71 dead

An aircraft carrying passengers including members of a Brazilian soccer team heading for a regional tournament final crashed in Colombia late Monday, killing 71 people onboard, AP reported Tuesday citing Colombian authorities. Six people were rescued and are receiving treatment at hospitals and elsewhere, while four who had been thought to be aboard were not […]

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Urawa shakes off rust to claim advantage in J. League Championship final

Urawa Reds manager Mihailo Petrovic hailed his ring-rusty players for shaking off the cobwebs of almost a month on the sidelines to claim a 1-0 win over Kashima Antlers in the first leg of the J. League Championship final on Tuesday. Urawa took a big step toward its first league title in 10 years after […]

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Soccer world in mourning after plane crash claims most of rising Brazilian team bound for cup final

The football world is in mourning after a charter plane carrying Brazilian soccer team Chapecoense to the biggest game in its history crashed in the Colombian mountains after an electrical fault, killing 75 people on board, authorities said on Tuesday. Colombia’s worst air disaster in two decades killed all but three players on the up-and-coming […]

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Reds prevail over Antlers in first leg of championship final

Urawa Reds moved a step closer to winning their first J. League title in a decade after beating Kashima Antlers 1-0 in the first leg of the championship final on Tuesday. Yuki Abe scored a 57th-minute penalty at Kashima Stadium after Daigo Nishi had fouled Shinzo Koroki in the box to give Urawa, which finished […]

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India routs England after Root, Hameed defiance

Joe Root’s determination and Haseem Hameed’s grit were not enough for England as India won the third test by eight wickets inside four days to go 2-0 up in the five-match series on Tuesday. Playing his first test in eight years, Parthiv Patel smashed an unbeaten 67 off 54 balls and the hosts chased down […]

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Tigers finalize deals with Messenger, Mateo

Right-hander Randy Messenger re-signed with the Hanshin Tigers on a new two-year deal worth ¥350 million ($3.1 million) a year, while closer Marcos Mateo also renewed his contract for a year, the Central League club announced Tuesday. The 35-year-old Messenger, who will enter his eighth season with the Tigers next year, vowed to fight for […]

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Deadline extended for volleyball teams to make decision to join Super League

The Japan Volleyball League Organization said Tuesday it will extend the deadline until the end of the year for teams to nominate to join the new Super League. The JVLO said on Sept. 20 the plan for the professional league — scheduled to start in the fall of 2018 — will go ahead if six […]

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Asano makes impact in Stuttgart triumph

Japan’s on-loan Arsenal striker Takuma Asano scored his second goal for German second tier team Stuttgart in a 3-1 home win over Nuremburg on Monday. The 22-year-old speedster, who started in left midfield, broke clear and unselfishly cut back for Simon Terodde to tap home after three minutes, before Terodde got his second in the […]

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Lack of fundamentals making football unrecognizable

Like Howard Beale, the Peter Finch character in the classic film “Network,” MAS is mad as hell and he’s not going to take it anymore. The horrible blocking and tackling in football nowadays, that is. In “Network,” you’ll recall viewers were persuaded by Beale to chuck their TVs out the window to exhibit their disgust […]

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Buffaloes sign outfielder Romero

Former Seattle Mariners outfielder Stefen Romero has signed a one-year contract with the Orix Buffaloes. Japanese media reported the deal was worth $850,000 and has provisions for bonuses. Romero batted .195 in 94 major league games spread over the past three seasons with Seattle. With Triple-A Tacoma this season, Romero batted .304 in 106 games, […]

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Longtime hurler Arakaki retires

Former Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks right-hander Nagisa Arakaki revealed his decision to retire Tuesday after 14 years in Nippon Professional Baseball. “I thought it was about time to decide after speaking to my family,” said Arakaki, who was released by the Tokyo Yakult Swallows last month and was waiting for offers from other teams. The 36-year-old […]

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Mourinho in trouble again with F.A.

The Football Association has charged Jose Mourinho with improper conduct after the Manchester United manager was sent to the stands for the second time in a month in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with West Ham. Mourinho has until Thursday evening to respond to the charge. Referee Jon Moss disciplined the Portuguese coach when he kicked a […]

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Rams COO disputes Hall of Famer Dickerson’s claim

Eric Dickerson is welcome on the Los Angeles Rams’ sideline anytime. Rams COO Kevin Demoff tweeted reassurance at the Hall of Fame running back on Monday, shortly after Dickerson claimed he was no longer allowed on the sideline due to his criticism of the team. Dickerson made the claim on his radio show on KLAC-AM, […]

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Veteran pitcher Volquez to join Marlins: source

The Miami Marlins have begun the painful task of revamping their rotation following the death of ace Jose Fernandez, reaching a deal with free agent Edinson Volquez. The veteran right-hander agreed to a $22 million, two-year contract, a person familiar with the situation said Monday. The person confirmed the deal to The Associated Press on […]

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Hokkaido’s Orimo tops 9,000 points for career

Levanga Hokkaido shooting guard Takehiko Orimo surpassed the 9,000-career point milestone on Monday night in an 84-62 loss to the red-hot Chiba Jets. The 46-year-old basketball icon, known for decades of outside shooting prowess, eclipsed 9,000 points on, appropriately, a 3-point basket with 50 seconds remaining in the opening quarter in Yubari, Hokkaido. That gave […]

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Warriors hold off Hawks, win 12th straight

Runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year in two straight seasons, Draymond Green desperately wants to prove how good Golden State can be on that end of the floor. Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson can have all the scoring glory. Green takes it personally when people question the Warriors’ D. Green blocked two […]

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Hanyu’s strength, style a sight to behold

Yuzuru Hanyu will head to the Grand Prix Final next week in Marseille, France, at the top of his game. His performance at the NHK Trophy here over the weekend reaffirmed his place at the pinnacle of his sport. Hanyu’s training partner Javier Fernandez has won the world title the past two seasons and is […]

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Bolt adjusting training regimen in final season

Nine-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt dedicated what is set to be his last track season to his fans, with the Jamaican sprint star saying his training regimen was now “more relaxed.” However, the 30-year-old insisted Monday that his will to win was undimmed. “It’s more relaxed, me and my coach will discuss, we’re going to […]

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Packers snap skid with win over Eagles

Aaron Rodgers threw perfect passes, ran for key first downs and did all his talking on the field. Nobody will question his leadership this week. Rodgers had 313 yards passing and tossed two touchdown passes to Davante Adams to help the Green Bay Packers snap a four-game losing streak with a 27-13 win over the […]

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Panthers fire Gallant in philosophical row

Gerard Gallant wanted the Florida Panthers to play one way, and his bosses wanted another. As such, they’re not his bosses anymore. The Panthers cited philosophical differences Monday as the primary reason why they fired Gallant, a coach of the year finalist last season who made it through only 22 games this season. Tom Rowe […]

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Otani, Arai win MVP awards

Shohei Otani’s historic season of rewriting the record books and challenging conventional baseball wisdom reached its logical conclusion on Monday night. In a result that came as a surprise to no one, the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters’ two-way star was crowned Pacific League MVP during the 2016 NPB Awards. “I’m extremely honored to win such […]

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Argentina captures first David Cup title

Argentina lifted its first Davis Cup title after Juan Martin Del Potro and Federico Delbonis won Sunday’s reverse singles to complete the South American nation’s spectacular comeback in a 3-2 victory over host Croatia in the final. Del Potro fought back from two sets down to beat Marin Cilic 6-7 (4-7), 2-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-3 […]

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Mourinho sent off on bad day for United

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was sent off for the second time in a month on Sunday as the controversial coach watched his side draw 1-1 at home to West Ham United and lose more ground in the Premier League title race. On an afternoon when Arsenal moved within three points of top spot after […]

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Urawa looking to cast off nearly men tag in J. League final

Urawa Reds will be looking to shed their unwanted reputation as a team of choke artists once and for all when they take on fellow heavyweights Kashima Antlers in the two-leg J. League Championship final. The first leg takes place at Kashima on Tuesday night with the return match at Saitama Stadium on Saturday. The […]

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Ota elected to board of fencing body

The International Fencing Federation elected Japanese world champion and double Olympic medalist Yuki Ota as a member of its executive board Sunday. Ota, who retired after this year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where he lost in the round of 32 in individual foil, will serve a four-year term on the board. “Japan has too […]

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Rosberg clinches F1 title to match father’s ’82 achievement

Nico Rosberg will no longer be known simply as the son of Formula One champion Keke Rosberg. The German driver is now a champion in his own right after clinching his first title on Sunday to match his father’s achievement from 1982. “Two Rosbergs are world champions . . . if I’ve got my statistics […]

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Carr returns from injury to help Raiders rally past Panthers

A big blown lead, a short week against a rested opponent and a banged-up pinkie for their quarterback. Right now it seems as if nothing can derail the Oakland Raiders. Derek Carr came back from his injury to lead another fourth-quarter comeback and the Raiders won their fifth straight game, beating the Carolina Panthers 35-32 […]

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Shiffrin shakes ominous feeling to win World Cup slalom

Mikaela Shiffrin woke up this morning all nervous and edgy. By the end of the afternoon, it was hard to wonder why. With her 95-year-old grandmother among the thousands cheering for her, Shriffin won her sixth straight World Cup slalom Sunday after building a healthy lead in the first run and holding off some hard […]

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Suzuki, Childress take center stage as NeoPhoenix pound B-Corsairs

Tatsuya Suzuki had a quiet game on Saturday. The San-en NeoPhoenix point guard’s stat line included these numbers: zero points, one assist. On Sunday, Suzuki flipped the script as an inspired San-en squad bounced back from a 13-point defeat to the Yokohama B-Corsairs and pounced on the hosts 95-76. Suzuki’s imprint was all over this […]

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Big Bears clinch back-to-back Kanto collegiate championships

The Waseda University Big Bears, who needed some help from other teams to clinch back-to-back Kanto collegiate championships, did get the assistance and also did their part. Kazuhiro Sugai rushed for a team-high 86 yards and a score and the defense whitewashed the Nihon University Phoenix as the Big Bears improved to 6-1 with a […]

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Matsuyama, Ishikawa finish sixth at golf World Cup

The Japanese pair of Hideki Matsuyama and Ryo Ishikawa finished in a tie for sixth at the ISPS Handa World Cup on Sunday, holing out of the tournament at 14 under and six strokes behind winners Thorbjorn Olesen and Soren Kjeldsen of Denmark. Starting the day in fourth, the Japanese carded seven birdies including three […]

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Dramatic winner sends Okayama into promotion playoff final

Shingo Akamine scored a 92nd-minute winner as Fagiano Okayama defeated Matsumoto Yamaga 2-1 on Sunday to reach the J. League promotion playoff final against Cerezo Osaka. Okayama, sixth in the J. League second tier this season, had to win at Matsumoto to maintain its hopes of J1 promotion. Matsumoto, which finished the season 19 points […]

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Game-winning field goal sends Frontiers to X Bowl

Fujitsu kicker Hidetetsu Nishimura nailed a game-winning 45-yard field goal as time expired to help the Frontiers book a spot in the Japan X Bowl for the fourth consecutive year with a 28-26 win over the IBM Big Blue in the X League playoff semifinals at Fujitsu Stadium Kawasaki on Sunday afternoon. With three minutes […]

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Boxing megastar Pacquiao seeks to deepen ties with Japan

It’s questionable whether there is a country in the world where boxing megastar Manny Pacquiao can go completely unnoticed in public. Japan is certainly not one of them. Pacquiao made his first trip to Japan in over a year last week, but his schedule was filled with obligation after obligation, and he was a prime […]

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Westbrook too much for Pistons to handle

Russell Westbrook continues to reach new heights. Westbrook recorded his second straight triple-double, his NBA-best seventh of the season, with 17 points, 15 assists and 13 rebounds, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Detroit Pistons 106-88 on Saturday night. Westbrook, who tied LeBron James for sixth on the NBA’s career list with 44 triple-doubles, […]

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Yokozuna Kakuryu caps Kyushu title with final-day win

Yokozuna Kakuryu added the icing to his cake with a win on Sunday, the final day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament. A day after clinching his third career grand tournament title, Kakuryu backed fellow Mongolian yokozuna Harumafuji to the straw bales in the final bout at Fukuoka Kokusai Center and forced him out to […]

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Kitasan Black romps to victory in Japan Cup

Kitasan Black cruised to win the Japan Cup, the Yutaka Take-ridden first choice leading from start to finish to capture the nation’s richest race on Sunday. The 4-year-old Kitasan Black went wire-to-wire in 2 minutes, 25.8 seconds over 2,400 meters on firm going at Tokyo Racecourse, crossing the post 2½ lengths ahead of fifth-pick Sounds […]

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Virtue, Moir win NHK Trophy ice dance title with record-setting performance

Canada’s Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir won the title in ice dance with a record showing in the free dance at the NHK Trophy on Sunday at Makomanai Arena. The duo was in first place after Saturday’s short dance and retained the lead with a superb skate to “Pilgrims on a Long Journey.” Their total […]

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Brave Blossoms end tour on sour note

Japan will finish the year outside the top 10 in rugby’s world rankings after an error-ridden performance saw the Brave Blossoms lose 38-25 against Fiji on Saturday. Despite the Japanese having a one-man advantage for 58 minutes at Stade de la Rabine, after flanker Peceli Yato was shown a yellow and then a red card, […]

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Chelsea prevails in showdown against Tottenham

Chelsea fought back for a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur that cemented its place on top of the Premier League table, while title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool kept pace with the top team on Saturday. Antonio Conte’s Chelsea had been knocked out of pole position by City’s 2-1 win at Burnley and Liverpool’s 2-0 […]

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All Blacks end year with hard-fought victory over France

New Zealand absorbed long spells of pressure to beat France 24-19 in clinical style at the Stade de France on Saturday. A year after being humiliated by the All Blacks 62-13 at the Rugby World Cup, the French put the world champions on the back foot for sustained periods and kept their hopeful fans on […]

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Maradona mourns passing of ‘second father’ Castro

For soccer great Diego Maradona, Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro was more than a friend and fellow Latin American legend, he was “a second father.” Maradona said Castro’s death late on Friday hit him hard when he received the news. “I wept uncontrollably,” Maradona told reporters on the sidelines of the Davis Cup final, where he […]

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No. 2 Ohio St. edges No. 3 Michigan in 2OT

The play was 29 Lead, and it will go down in history as how Ohio State beat Michigan in one of the greatest games ever played by the Big Ten’s most storied rivals. That’s pretty much all Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer wanted to talk about. Everything else about the second-ranked Buckeyes’ 30-27 victory over the […]

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Otani aims to be world’s fastest pitcher

A day after being named both the best pitcher and the best designated hitter in the Pacific League, Shohei Otani said Saturday he’d also like to throw the world’s fastest pitch. In an event inHokkaido, the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters star said throwing 169 kph in a game is within his reach. Otani entered the […]

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Hanyu claims victory with spectacular showing at NHK Trophy; Pogorilaya wins women’s title

Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu topped the 300-point mark in a dominating victory at the NHK Trophy on Saturday night at Makomanai Arena. Hanyu put on an outstanding performance to “Hope and Legacy” in an ambitious free skate, displaying both his athletic prowess and excellent interpretative skills in the process. His program called for four quadruple […]

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Dragons sign Cuban infielder Guerrero

The Chunichi Dragons have acquired Cuban infielder Alex Guerrero on a one-year deal worth ¥150 million (about $1.3 million) plus incentives, the Central League club announced Saturday. The 30-year-old, who can also play outfield, played in 117 major league games for the Los Angeles Dodgers over the 2014 and ’15 seasons batting .224 with 11 […]

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Brave Thunders dominate in fourth quarter, earn victory over Grouses

The Toyama Grouses held a six-point lead over the Kawasaki Brave Thunders entering the final quarter on Saturday. It wasn’t enough. The Brave Thunders scored 30 fourth-quarter points and prevailed 73-69 over the hosts in Toyama. Kawasaki’s Nick Fazekas scored 11 of his game-high 20 points in the fourth quarter. He made seven free throws […]

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Pondering Trump’s future prospects of throwing out first pitches in MLB, NPB

What kind of president will Donald Trump be regarding sports? U.S. presidents have a tradition of throwing out the first ball to open a Major League Baseball season. They are also known for welcoming World Series winners and champion teams from other sports leagues to the White House. Will Trump be on hand to toss […]

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Yokozuna Kakuryu secures title

Kakuryu capitalized on a slip-up by fellow Mongolian yokozuna Harumafuji to clinch his third career championship with a day to spare at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday. Harumafuji crashed to his third defeat at the hands of Hakuho in the day’s penultimate bout at Fukuoka Kokusai Center and Kakuryu (13-1) took full advantage […]

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Reserves give Spurs a big lift against Celtics

The trade that brought Kawhi Leonard to San Antonio was already a success for the Spurs, even before throw-in Davis Bertans began contributing. The Latvian rookie set a career high in scoring for the second straight game, pitching in 15 of the Spurs’ 56 bench points on Friday to help San Antonio beat the Boston […]

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Del Potro evens Davis Cup final

In a battle of big servers, Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro beat Croatia’s Ivo Karlovic 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 7-5 on Friday to leave the two teams tied at 1-1 following the opening singles matches in the Davis Cup final. Del Potro, the 2009 U.S. Open champion who is capping a comeback after two injury-hit […]

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Hall of Fame coach Huntsman dies

Former U.S. Olympic track coach Stan Huntsman, whose men’s team won seven gold medals in the 1988 Games in Seoul, has died. He was 84. University of Texas women’s athletic director Chris Plonsky said the family told the university that Huntsman died Wednesday in Austin. Huntsman was the head coach at Texas when he was […]

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Blackhawks win annual Black Friday rivalry game

When the Chicago Blackhawks make their usual visit to Anaheim on Black Friday, they always have a raucous cheering section of jersey-clad fans crowded against the glass from the pregame warmup onward. Although those fans didn’t get to see captain Jonathan Toews this time, that only made the Blackhawks’ latest win in Orange County even […]

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Yamagata releases goalie Nakamura

J. League second-division club Montedio Yamagata said Saturday that it had terminated the contract of goalkeeper Hayato Nakamura, who was arrested earlier this month for violating child pornography laws. The 24-year-old Nakamura admitted to the charges after he was arrested for sharing online a pornographic video featuring an underage boy. He was fined ¥300,000 and […]

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Email links IAAF to Russian cover-up

An alleged doping cover-up that enabled Russian medalists to compete at the 2012 London Olympics even had a code name: The “total protection project.” The alleged scheme is detailed in an email seized by prosecutors in France. The email was dated July 30, 2014, and sent from an address used by Valentin Balakhnichev, then head […]

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Cowboys reaching new heights

The Dallas Cowboys are accomplishing things in Dak Prescott’s rookie season that never happened under Hall of Fame quarterbacks Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman. Dallas, which got its five Super Bowl championships under Staubach and Aikman, had never won 10 consecutive regular-season games in the same season until now. Only once before in franchise history […]

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No. 6 Huskies rout No. 23 Cougars in Apple Cup showdown

Budda Baker was walking to the sideline in the fourth quarter when he was jostled from behind by someone in crimson, who then proceeded to chirp at Washington’s standout safety. Baker heard what was said, turned, and pointed at the closed end of Martin Stadium. “All I had to do was look at the scoreboard,” […]

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Fighters retain pitchers Mendoza, Martin

The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters have re-signed right-handers Luis Mendoza and Chris Martin for next season, the Pacific League club announced Friday. Mendoza, who went 7-8 with a 3.88 ERA chiefly as a starter in his third season with the Fighters, agreed to a deal worth ¥190 million (about $1.68 million) plus incentives for the […]

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Hanyu’s dazzling brilliance radiates NHK Trophy

Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu vaulted into first place at the NHK Trophy on Friday night behind two booming quadruple jumps in the short program. Skating to “Let’s Go Crazy” before a full house at Makomanai Arena, Hanyu opened with a quad loop that though fully rotated had a bit of an off-balance landing. He then […]

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Kakuryu outmuscles rival Hakuho

Kakuryu claimed yokozuna bragging rights and closed in on the title by defeating fellow Mongolian Hakuho at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday. After an early exchange of slaps and thrusts, Kakuryu seized control and got both arms around Hakuho before bellying him over the straw bales to stay one win clear with two […]

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Canadiens cool off Hurricanes

The Montreal Canadiens slowed down the streaking Carolina Hurricanes. Max Pacioretty broke a tie 14 seconds into the third period and the NHL-leading Canadiens beat Carolina 2-1 on Thursday to end the Hurricanes’ winning streak at five games. Carey Price made 31 saves, and Andrew Shaw also scored for Montreal. The Canadiens improved to 15-4-2 […]

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Otani makes history with Best Nine selection at both pitcher and DH

Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters star Shohei Otani made history when he was named to the Pacific League’s Best Nine team as both pitcher and designated hitter when the awards were announced Friday afternoon. The Fighters star excelled in both areas this season and benefitted from a rule change, that had him in mind, earlier this […]

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Spurs hope to ease sting of CL failure by solving Stamford Bridge riddle

Harry Kane, the Tottenham striker, said Chelsea celebrated like it had won the title. In fact, the 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge in April meant Leicester City was champion and Spurs’ hopes of a first English crown since John F. Kennedy was inaugurated as president of the United States had disappeared after a bitter game […]

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Yoshida left frustrated after defeat

Southampton defender Maya Yoshida was frustrated after the Saints failed to turn their possession into points in a 1-0 defeat away to Sparta Prague in their Europa League Group K clash on Thursday. Southampton enjoyed 71 percent of possession at Generali Arena but had nothing to show for it. Costa Nhamoinesu won it for Sparta […]

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LSU’s Guice rushes for school-record 285 yards against Texas A&M

LSU’s Derrius Guice ran for a school-record 285 yards with four touchdowns to lead the undermanned Tigers to a 54-39 victory over 22nd-ranked Texas A&M on Thursday. Danny Etling threw for 324 yards and two scores, making it the first time in team history that the Tigers had a 300-yard passer and a 200-yard rusher […]

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Japan-bred Nuovo Record wins Red Carpet Handicap

Nuovo Record won the $100,000 Red Carpet Handicap for fillies and mares by a nose Thursday at Del Mar, becoming the first Japan-bred horse to ever compete at the seaside track north of San Diego. Ridden by Yasunari Iwata, Nuovo Record ran 1ῌ miles on turf in 2 minutes, 15.56 seconds and paid $12.40, $4.80 […]

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Osaka inks deal with Nissin

Naomi Osaka, the 2016 WTA Newcomer of the Year, has signed a contract with Nissin Food Products Co., the company announced on Friday. Osaka, 19, said at a news conference in Tokyo that she was happy to be with Nissin as she has eaten the popular Cup Noodle since she was a child. Nissin also […]

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Rio Olympic silver medalist Cambridge planning to turn pro

Sprinter Asuka Cambridge, a member of the Japanese team that won the silver medal in the men’s 4×100-meter relay at this year’s Rio Olympics, is set to turn professional, a source said Friday. The 23-year-old Cambridge is planning to leave his team, Dome, next month and is also considering moving his training base overseas, according […]

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Green won’t apologize for passionate style

For five months, Draymond Green has worked to block out the unrelenting criticism that his Game 5 suspension in the NBA Finals cost Golden State a repeat championship — punishment for a fateful swipe at LeBron James’ groin that swung the series for Cleveland. It stings Green to this day that he couldn’t play, forced […]

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Cowboys beat Redskins to extend winning streak to 10

Rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott keep winning for the Dallas Cowboys, even with Kirk Cousins setting records for the Washington Redskins. Prescott accounted for two touchdowns, Elliott ran for a pair of scores and the Cowboys extended their franchise regular-season record with a 10th straight victory, beating the Redskins 31-26 on Thursday. Prescott tied […]

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Former Liverpool great Gerrard announces retirement

After an illustrious playing career full of remarkable cup comebacks alongside jarring Premier League lows, Steven Gerrard is done. The 36-year-old Gerrard, who won every major club honor with Liverpool apart from the English title, said Thursday that he was retiring from soccer after an 18-year professional career. “You are aware that time is coming […]

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Hanyu ready to take center stage at NHK Trophy

Reigning Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu will essentially be competing against himself at this weekend’s NHK Trophy. After setting three world records in two nights a year ago at this event, the final leg of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series, the fans at Makomanai Ice Arena will be expecting no less than Hanyu’s […]

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Kyoto State Guest House selected to host 2019 Rugby World Cup draw

Next May’s draw for the 2019 Rugby World Cup will be held at Kyoto State Guest House, World Rugby announced Thursday. In a statement on World Rugby’s website, chairman Bill Beaumont explained the significance of having Kyoto host the draw despite not being a tournament venue. “The pool draw is an important milestone on the […]

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SeaHorses glide past Evessa

Powerful rebounding and strong 3-point shooting guided the SeaHorses Mikawa to a 104-78 home triumph over the Osaka Evessa on Thursday night. The West Division powerhouse pulled down 53 rebounds while limiting Osaka to 33. SeaHorses center Isaac Butts, who grabbed 18 boards, and frontcourt collaborator Gavin Edwards, who hauled in 12, nearly had as […]

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Brave Blossoms keep same starting lineup for test against Fiji

Japan will take an unchanged starting XV into the final test of its European tour, head coach Jamie Joseph announced Thursday. The Brave Blossoms take on Fiji at Stade de la Rabine in Vannes, France, on Saturday with the winner set to finish the year in the top 10 of the world rankings. The Flying […]

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Yokozuna Kakuryu back atop standings

Yokozuna Kakuryu got back on the winning track on Thursday, the 12th day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, where he regained his sole lead with an 11-1 record. A day after suffering his only loss of the 15-day tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, the yokozuna easily took charge of his bout with ozeki Kotoshogiku, […]

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Packers looking to kickstart season

Since arriving in Green Bay, Christine Michael hasn’t had much to do except for read up on the playbook. The recently acquired running back looks as if he’ll finally get a chance to get a few carries on Monday night when the Packers visit the Philadelphia Eagles. For the first time in weeks, Green Bay […]

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Ovechkin bags 16th hat trick of NHL career

Alex Ovechkin stretched out his arms in celebration, teammates mobbed him along the boards and jubilant fans launched their hats onto the ice. This was the performance they had waited to see. Ovechkin scored his first hat trick this season and 16th of his 10-year NHL career to lead the Washington Capitals over the St. […]

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Mariners, D-Backs make five-player trade

The Seattle Mariners finally landed the established shortstop they’ve long been trying to find. To do it, they had to part with a talented young pitcher who still has the potential to blossom. Seattle and Arizona pulled off a five-player trade Wednesday night, with the Mariners acquiring speedy infielder Jean Segura and the Diamondbacks getting […]

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Sunrockers still a work in progress under new coach Toews

Naturally, a 60-game season, starting in September and ending in May, doesn’t involve the same preparations as a five-day tournament. Adjustments are more subtle. Changes occur over many months as coaches prepare their players for the long haul. And in this season of newness all around in the first-year circuit, the Sunrockers Shibuya, led by […]

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Rio 2016 organizers looking to refund tickets

Olympic organizers in Rio de Janeiro are trying to hand over almost $3 million in ticket refund payments due to 13,000 people. One big problem. They can’t find them. “We are hunting after people,” Rio spokesman Mario Andrada told The Associated Press on Wednesday. “We have the money, but don’t know how to get it […]

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‘Shot Heard ‘Round World’ pitcher Branca dies

Ralph Branca’s career was defined by that one high-and-inside fastball. The Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher who gave up Bobby Thomson’s famed “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” that still echoes more than six decades later as one of the most famous home runs in baseball history, died Wednesday. He was 90. His son-in-law, former big league manager […]

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Barcelona, City secure spots in Champions League last 16

Lionel Messi fired Barcelona into the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday after a 2-0 win at Celtic, and the Spaniards were joined in the knockout rounds by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. The Argentine star returned from illness to score both goals at Celtic Park — the second from the penalty spot — […]

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Love sets new scoring record in Cavs’ victory

Kevin Love didn’t think anything unusual was going on Wednesday night. The scoreboard told a different story. Love scored 40 points, including an NBA-record 34 in the first quarter, and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Portland Trail Blazers 137-125. Love fell three points shy of the league record for points in any quarter, set by […]

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Levanga hold off Northern Happinets in overtime

Daniel Miller put the Levanga Hokkaido ahead for good in the final minute of overtime on Wednesday in their 75-70 triumph over the host Akita Northern Happinets. Miller’s jumper and subsequent free throw gave his club the narrowest of leads, 71-70, with 40 seconds to play. Veteran sharpshooter Takehiko Orimo, now 46 years old, sank […]

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Carp cut ties with Luna, Pridie, Delabar

The Hiroshima Carp announced Wednesday that they will not offer a contract extension to veteran third baseman Hector Luna. The 36-year-old Luna played in just 67 regular-season games for the Carp after spending his first three seasons in Japan with the Chunichi Dragons. Luna batted .272, scored 35 runs and drove in 34 in his […]

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BayStars acquire pitcher Patton from Cubs

Right-hander Spencer Patton has signed with the Yokohama BayStars, the Central League club announced Wednesday. The 28-year-old Patton has pitched in 52 big league games over the past three seasons, including 16 this year for the Chicago Cubs. The reliever has a 3-2 record in the major leagues with a 6.26 ERA. He spent half […]

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Matsuyama prepares for World Cup

Japanese ace Hideki Matsuyama has already left his imprint on the World Cup, much to the despair of the course superintendent of host golf club Kingston Heath. Matsuyama spent so long on the practice putting green in stifling heat on Monday that his footmarks burned the grass in three spots which then had to be […]

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Kakuryu suffers first loss as race heats up

Yokozuna Kakuryu crashed to his first defeat on Wednesday, the 11th day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament. A day after handing yokozuna Hakuho his second defeat, ozeki Kisenosato turned the affair at Fukuoka Kokusai Center on it’s ear with his 31st career win over Kakuryu. The yokozuna looked hesitant on his charge, while Kisenosato […]

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Uchiyama seeks revenge, title in bout with Corrales

Top Japanese boxer Takashi Uchiyama is preparing to take the ring on New Year’s Eve for the sixth consecutive year next month. But this time, unlike the previous occasions, he’s stepping onto the canvas without anything shiny draped over his shoulder. The former WBA super featherweight champion will square off against Jezreel Corrales, who snatched […]

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Antlers reach J. League final

Mu Kanazaki struck in the 50th minute to send Kashima Antlers into the J. League Championship final against Urawa Reds with a 1-0 win over Kawasaki Frontale on Tuesday. Antlers qualified for the playoffs after finishing third in the overall table — a full 13 points behind second-place Frontale — and would have been eliminated […]

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Notre Dame forced to vacate wins after academic misconduct

Brian Kelly’s worst season at Notre Dame took an embarrassing turn Tuesday as the NCAA announced that academic misconduct orchestrated by a student athletic trainer will cost the storied program all 21 victories from the 2012-13 seasons, including the 12-0 run that vaulted the Fighting Irish into the national championship game against Alabama. It marked […]

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Blues overcome slow start in win

The St. Louis Blues turned around a listless start by getting gritty in the second period. Robert Bortuzzo and Paul Stastny scored 2:12 apart in the second period, and Jake Allen had 39 saves, helping the Blues beat the Boston Bruins 4-2 on Tuesday night despite getting just seven shots on net in the first […]

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Porzingis, Rose carry torch for Knicks in victory

Derrick Rose had a red-hot Kristaps Porzingis and an ice-cold Carmelo Anthony, and he chose neither. Down the stretch, Rose called his own number. Rose made the go-ahead basket with 3:15 remaining and hit the jumper that clinched it with 6.8 seconds left as the New York Knicks beat the Portland Trail Blazers 107-103 on […]

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NHL expansion team named Vegas Golden Knights

The NHL’s newest team is named the Vegas Golden Knights. Owner Bill Foley and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the Las Vegas expansion franchise’s official name and revealed its logo and colors Tuesday night at a gala ceremony for about 5,000 fans outside T-Mobile Arena, where the Golden Knights will begin play next season. The […]

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Okazaki fires Leicester into last 16

Shinji Okazaki scored his first goal in the Champions League to help Leicester City defeat Club Brugge of Belgium 2-1 on Tuesday, as the English club wrapped up first place in Group G and secured a spot in the tournament’s last 16, where the reigning Premier League champion was joined by Real Madrid — but […]

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Call-up lights fire under Fujinami

Shintaro Fujinami’s recent Samurai Japan call-up may have been taken him by surprise, but he said the opportunity won’t be taken for granted. Although Fujinami had been a regular member of manager Hiroki Kokubo’s pitching staff, the right-hander was coming off his worst season as a pro. Thus, it was a surprise to many that […]

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Frontale, Antlers to meet in high-pressure playoff semifinal

Kawasaki Frontale only need a draw in Wednesday’s semifinal of the J. League championship playoff against Kashima Antlers to advance, but victory is all they will be playing for, firebrand striker Yoshito Okubo said. “You can’t win if you play with a draw on your mind,” Okubo said on Tuesday after training for the one-off […]

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Eagles set to sign former Phillies pitcher Hermann

The Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles have reached a basic agreement with Frank Herrmann, who pitched this year with the Philadelphia Phillies, sources said Tuesday. The signing of the 32-year-old right-hander is expected to be announced in the coming days. Herrman, a reliever out of Harvard University, has a career 5-3 record with one save and […]

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Kisenosato hands Hakuho second loss

Returning yokozuna Hakuho saw his title hopes dented after nemesis Kisenosato sentenced him to a second defeat at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Tuesday. The result saw Hakuho (8-2), who missed the last tournament through injury, fall two wins behind sole leader and fellow Mongolian yokozuna Kakuryu with five days left of the 15-day […]

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Former Japan defender Komano leaving FC Tokyo

Two-time World Cup defender Yuichi Komano is parting ways with FC Tokyo, the J. League first-division club said on Tuesday. The 35-year-old fullback joined Tokyo at the start of the season from Jubilo Iwata, but was loaned out to Avispa Fukuoka in July. Komano, however, was unable to prevent Fukuoka’s drop to the second tier […]

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Guerrero, Ramirez, Rodriguez newcomers on Hall of Fame ballot

Outfielders Vladimir Guerrero and Manny Ramirez and catcher Ivan Rodriguez are among the prominent newcomers to the National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot released on Monday. But Ramirez, considered one of MLB’s best right-handed hitters of his generation, may have a difficult time winning enough support from voting members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of […]

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Thompson shoots Warriors to win

Klay Thompson kept his shooting touch in sync Monday night. All he needed was a trip to his second home. The All-Star guard again dazzled Indiana Pacers fans with a knockout performance. He scored 25 points in 26 minutes and took the entire fourth quarter off, leading the Golden State Warriors to a 120-83 rout […]

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Raiders rally past Texans

The party in the stands started early in the second NFL regular-season game ever played in Mexico with loud cheers and chants from before kickoff until the final whistle. The Oakland offense took a little longer to get going, but once they did Derek Carr and the Raiders came out with yet another win. Carr […]

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Color-blind Wade ready for pink ball

Australia’s color-blind wicketkeeper Matthew Wade insists he will cope in this week’s day-night Test against South Africa despite having difficulty in picking up the pink ball under lights. The Victorian gloveman has been recalled at the expense of Peter Nevill among a raft of changes for the third Test at Adelaide from Thursday with Australia […]

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Resurgent Oilers thump Blackhawks

The Edmonton Oilers hope they are finally out of their funk. Leon Draisaitl scored twice and Cam Talbot made 31 saves for his third shutout of the season, helping Edmonton beat the Western Conference-leading Chicago Blackhawks 5-0 on Monday night. “They’ve been playing some good hockey lately so it’s not an easy team to shut […]

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Sakamoto, Shiraiwa display huge potential at Japan Junior Championships

It was a revelatory weekend at the recently concluded Japan Junior Championships at Tsukisamu Gymnasium. What stood out most? Three things — Kaori Sakamoto’s grit, Yuna Shiraiwa’s grace, Marin Honda’s fragility. This is what Ice Time took away from the events of the past few days. Sakamoto’s determination to walk out the winner was evident […]

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Throwback DeRozan proving that old attitudes not necessarily outdated

When DeMar DeRozan scored 30 points last Friday in the Toronto Raptors’ 113-111 victory against the Denver Nuggets, he matched Michael Jordan, Alex English, Nate “Tiny” Archibald and Rick Barry as the only players to score at least 30 points in 10 of their first 12 games. But it wasn’t just another of those arcane […]

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U.S. fires manager Klinsmann

Jurgen Klinsmann was fired as coach of the U.S. soccer team Monday, six days after a 4-0 loss at Costa Rica dropped the Americans to 0-2 in the final round of World Cup qualifying. Los Angeles Galaxy coach Bruce Arena is the favorite to succeed Klinsmann, and his hiring could be announced as early as […]

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Otani wants to play in majors ‘someday’

The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters’ slugging ace pitcher Shohei Otani said Monday he wants to play in the major leagues “someday” but not in the immediate future. “There’s no change in my longtime desire to go there,” the 22-year-old right-hander said in the town of Makubetsu, where he visited for team-related events. “I’m playing now […]

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Marinos re-sign coach Mombaerts for third season

Yokohama F. Marinos said Monday they have re-signed manager Erick Mombaerts for his third season with the J. League club. As there are views against the 61-year-old Frenchman staying at the helm, Toru Hasegawa, the club president, explained the situation to players after their training session in Yokohama. The move is expected to have an […]

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Japan softball manager Utsugi targets Olympic gold in 2020

New Japan national women’s softball team skipper Reika Utsugi said Monday she will put everything she has experienced as a player and in coaching capacities at stake to fight for the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. “I feel the weight of responsibility and size of mission,” Utsugi, who was formally appointed Sunday as […]

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Ainslie sees ‘huge potential’ for Asia after America’s Cup event in Fukuoka

Master yachtsman Ben Ainslie said the sport has “huge potential” in Asia after he powered to victory in the first America’s Cup event held in the region. Ainslie’s Land Rover BAR won the two-day event in Fukuoka on Sunday, sealing the America’s Cup World Series title and gaining bonus points for next year’s qualifying competition. […]

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Free-falling Goeido slumps to third defeat

Ozeki Goeido’s dream of reaching the highest rank of yokozuna fell back to the drawing board after he suffered his third defeat Monday at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, where yokozuna Kakuryu remained perfect. Goeido (6-3), whose chance was hit severely with his loss a day earlier, saw his hopes completely evaporate after falling to […]

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Grampus announce striker Sato’s arrival

Relegated Nagoya Grampus on Monday announced the signing of Sanfrecce Hiroshima striker Hisato Sato, the all-time second-highest goalscorer in the J. League top flight with 161 goals. “I’ll give my heart and soul to get Nagoya back to where they should be,” said the 34-year-old in a club statement. “I’m reaching the stage in my […]

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Nishikori keeping feet on ground after successful season

A clear-cut, straight-sets defeat to Novak Djokovic on Saturday in the last four of the ATP World Tour Finals saw Kei Nishikori’s season close on a downer, but his disappointment should be tempered given the strides he made in 2016. Nishikori, who ends the season ranked No. 5 in the world, racked up a career-high […]

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Streaking Blue Jackets top Capitals on late goal

John Tortorella had worried about Sunday’s game, the first matinee for Columbus all season. He didn’t want the Washington Capitals to get off to a quick start. The Capitals scored on Nicklas Backstrom’s goal barely three minutes into the game, but the Blue Jackets didn’t fold and got a last-minute goal with Backstrom in the […]

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Costa sends Chelsea into first place

Chelsea replaced Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table with a comfortable 1-0 win at Middlesbrough thanks to a first-half Diego Costa strike on Sunday. It was the London side’s sixth successive league victory without conceding a goal and gave it 28 points from 12 games. Costa, the league’s leading scorer, hit his […]

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Teague carries Pacers to victory in overtime

Indiana coach Nate McMillan wrote an instruction on the white board in the Pacers’ locker room Sunday: “Scrap.” Jeff Teague did just that, scoring eight of his 30 points in overtime, harassing Russell Westbrook defensively all night and lifting the short-handed Pacers to a 115-111 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was Indiana’s first […]

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Yakult acquires right-hander Guilmet

The Tokyo Yakult Swallows have acquired right-hander Preston Guilmet on a one-year contract worth $600,000, the Central League club announced Monday. Guilmet, 29, who has pitched in 19 major league games with a 0-1 record and an 8.22 ERA, struck out 82 in 68⅓ innings for Detroit Tigers Triple-A affiliate Toledo this year and is […]

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Itoi leaving Buffaloes for Tigers

The Hanshin Tigers said Monday they have reached agreement on a contract with free agent outfielder Yoshio Itoi, who earlier in the day informed the Orix Buffaloes of his intention to join the Central League club. Itoi, 35, who played for Orix for four seasons before declaring himself a free agent earlier this month, said […]

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Cowboys take down Ravens for ninth-straight win

New backup, same result for rookie quarterback Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys. Prescott threw three touchdown passes, two to Dez Bryant, in the first game with Tony Romo as his backup, and the Cowboys set a franchise regular-season record with their ninth straight win, beating the Baltimore Ravens 27-17 on Sunday. The Cowboys (9-1) […]

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Murray captures ATP finals title, ends year atop rankings

Without a doubt, Andy Murray will be the No. 1 player in the world for the rest of the year. The Wimbledon champion needed to win the final match of the season to ensure his place at the top. And he did it, rather easily. Murray beat Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-4 Sunday to earn his […]

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NeoPhoenix outlast Sunrockers to earn series split

When a team’s point production decreases for four straight quarters, the odds of pulling out a victory become significantly harder. Exhibit A: The Sunrockers Shibuya produced that story on Sunday — and it didn’t involved a happy ending for coach BT Toews’ squad. Instead, the San-en NeoPhoenix made several key plays down the stretch, including […]

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Inui, Nakamaki win Asian synchronized swimming title

Yukiko Inui and Kanami Nakamaki won the women’s duet free routine in synchronized swimming at the Asian swimming championships on Sunday. Inui, who won the bronze medals both in duet and team events at the Rio Games this summer, and her new free-routine partner Nakamaki scored 93.2667 points to place above compatriots Minami Kono and […]

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Veteran Sanfrecce striker Sato to join Grampus

Sanfrecce Hiroshima striker Hisato Sato, the second-highest goalscorer in J. League top-flight history with 161 goals, will join relegated Nagoya Grampus, Sanfrecce’s president said Sunday. “We can do nothing but accept his decision,” said Hidekazu Orita, who had been asking the 34-year-old Sato to stay at Sanfrecce, where the striker has spent 12 years. Sato […]

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Sakamoto holds off Shiraiwa, Honda to win Japan Junior Championships

Kaori Sakamoto captured the women’s singles title on the final day of the Japan Junior Championships at Tsukisamu Gymnasium on Sunday. Sakamoto gave a refined performance to “The Color Purple” and totaled 191.97 points to improve on her fifth-place finish from last season in this event. Yuna Shiraiwa competed to “A Little Night Music” and […]

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Oh strikes out but steals show in Taiwan exhibition

Baseball legend Sadaharu Oh turned back the clock on Sunday, when he pinch hit in an exhibition against a team of former Taiwan stars. Oh, whose father is from China, was instrumental in the development of pro baseball in Taiwan and is idolized there as he is in Japan. Playing with a team of former […]

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Narrow defeat harms Goeido’s promotion push

Ozeki Goeido’s chance of getting promoted to yokozuna was dealt a blow on Sunday, in a narrow loss to sekiwake Okinoumi for his second defeat at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament. After a false start, Goeido’s tame charge was sharply countered by Okinoumi (2-6), who was all over the ozeki in a flash. Goeido clung […]

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Matsuzaka poised for winter ball in Puerto Rico

Fukuoka SoftBank pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka has come to terms on a deal that will allow him to play in Puerto Rico’s winter league, a Hawks source said Sunday. The 36-year-old right-hander, who spent this past season coming back from shoulder surgery in August 2015, will play for Gigantes de Carolina. Once a contract is signed, […]

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Jubilo make multi-year offer for veteran Nakamura

Yokohama F. Marinos have received an offer for playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura from J. League first division rivals Jubilo Iwata, sources said Sunday. Jubilo’s offer for the 38-year-old former Japan international and Celtic player is for more than one year, according to the sources. Nakamura and Iwata manager Hiroshi Nanami have a strong bond as former […]

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Mikki Isle wins Mile Championship amid controversy

Mikki Isle went wire-to-wire for his second Grade 1 victory, holding off Isla Bonita to win the Mile Championship on Sunday. The 5-year-old horse, ridden by Suguru Hamanaka and trained by Hidetaka Otonashi, went past the winning post in 1 minute, 33.1 seconds on firm going at Kyoto Racecourse. The third choice, Mikki Isle won […]

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Consadole, S-Pulse gain promotion to J1

Consadole Sapporo and Shimizu S-Pulse finished one-two in the J. League second division, clinching promotion back to the top flight on Sunday. Consadole’s 0-0 home draw to Zweigen Kanazawa was enough to keep them on top of the table with 85 points from the 42 games. Sapporo will return to the first division after a […]

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Sapporo lauds Fighters with victory parade

The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters held their first victory parade in four years on Sunday, celebrating their Japan Series and Pacific League championships in the streets of Sapporo. A crowd estimated at around 138,000 cheered on the Fighters, who captured their first pennant since 2012 and their first Series title since 2006. In open convertibles […]

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Ohio State holds on for win over Michigan State

Before Ohio State could move on to next weekend’s showdown with Michigan, the Buckeyes had to deal with a different nemesis. As usual, Michigan State gave Urban Meyer’s team all it could handle. Mike Weber ran for 111 yards and a touchdown, and No. 2 Ohio State held off Michigan State 17-16 on Saturday after […]

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Toure returns to lift City past Palace

Yaya Toure returned to Manchester City’s ranks on Saturday after a public apology to manager Pep Guardiola and scored twice in a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace that took the team to the top of the Premier League alongside Liverpool. While Liverpool’s progress was checked by a goalless draw at Southampton, City clambered back level […]

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Celtics react fastest to sink Pistons

Al Horford got the winning basket, though it was Marcus Smart who made the biggest play. With the game tied at 92, Jae Crowder missed a go-ahead 3-pointer, but Smart came from the corner to tip the ball back at the basket. His shot didn’t go in, but it gave Horford time to set himself […]

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McDavid bags first hat trick in Oilers’ win

Connor McDavid, among the league’s most electrifying young stars, got his first career hat trick behind a few fortunate breaks Saturday night. McDavid scored once off a defender’s stick and put back two other juicy rebounds, and his three goals helped the Edmonton Oilers beat the Dallas Stars 5-2 to end a five-game skid. McDavid, […]

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Djokovic ends Nishikori’s season with semifinal rout

A great season for Kei Nishikori came to a disappointing finish on Saturday, when he was knocked out of the ATP World Tour Finals by world No. 2 Novak Djokovic. Nishikori, ranked fifth in the world, lost their semifinal match 6-1, 6-1 in 1 hour, 6 minutes. Djokovic will take on top-ranked Briton Andy Murray […]

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Wales denies battling Japan famous victory

Japan came within 20 seconds Saturday of once again shocking the rugby world. Despite missing a plethora of players through injury and self-imposed exile, the Brave Blossoms pushed Wales all the way before a last-gasp drop goal from Sam Davies saw the hosts win 33-30 in front of 73,969 at the Principality Stadium. With the […]

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Radionova, Chan post victories at Cup of China

Mai Mihara just missed the podium at the Cup of China on Saturday, finishing fourth with 190.92 points. After placing third in the short program, Mihara ended up fourth in the free skate (122.44) as the 17-year-old performed to “Lawrence of Arabia.” Elena Radionova of Russia won with 205.90, followed by Canada’s Kaetlyn Osmond (196.00) […]

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Sakai outperforms Seto in 200-meter butterfly showdown

Masato Sakai held off fellow Rio Olympic medalist Daiya Seto to win the men’s 200-meter butterfly at the Asian swimming championships on Saturday. Sakai, who won silver in the event in Rio this summer, touched the wall in 1 minute, 54.53 seconds ahead of Seto (1:55.45), the 400 individual medley bronze medalist in Rio. Ippei […]

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Inspired Sakamoto takes lead over Honda at Japan Junior Championships

Kaori Sakamoto grabbed the lead ahead of reigning world junior champion Marin Honda on the first day of the Japan Junior Championships at Tsukisamu Gymnasium on Saturday night with a sublime short program. Sakamoto gave a polished performance to “The Artist” and earned a score of 67.45 points. She began with a triple loop, and […]

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Fazekas powers Brave Thunders past Albirex

There’s no secret about the Kawasaki Brave Thunders’ recipe for success. It all starts with Nick Fazekas. The ex-NBA big man delivered a splendid 36-point, 11-rebound performance to guide Kawasaki past the Niigata Albirex BB on Saturday. Fazekas made 13 of 18 shots from the field, and he went 8-for-8 at the free-throw line in […]

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Vegalta’s Watanabe to remain in charge for 2017 season

Vegalta Sendai announced on Saturday that Susumu Watanabe will manage the club for another season in 2017. Watanabe, who has been in charge of Sendai since April 2014, kept his team afloat in top-flight soccer as Vegalta finished 12th in the overall standings this season. “I’m grateful to the club for giving me another chance,” […]

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Westbrook, Oklahoma City cruise past Brooklyn

The Brooklyn Nets knew they couldn’t afford to let Russell Westbrook run wild in the paint. It didn’t matter. Westbrook had 30 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds in his fourth triple-double of the season, and the Oklahoma City Thunder rolled past the Nets 124-105 on Friday night. It was the 41st triple-double of Westbrook’s […]

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Goeido, Hakuho bounce back from defeats

Ozeki Goeido dodged a bullet and got his bid for promotion to sumo’s highest rank back on track, while Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho also rebounded from his first defeat at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday. The wins kept the pair within striking distance of sole leader and Mongolian yokozuna Kakuryu, who maintained his perfect […]

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Tommie Smith set to honor Al Davis in Mexico City

Olympic gold medalist Tommie Smith will return to Mexico City to light the torch honoring late Raiders owner Al Davis before Oakland plays Houston in an NFL game. Smith will make his second trip back to Mexico City since he famously raised his black-gloved fist with bronze medalist John Carlos as a sign of black […]

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Bryant praises Cowboys’ bond

Dez Bryant hesitated to talk about playing a day after the death of his father, and preferred not to try to add anything to Tony Romo’s heartfelt statement about the quarterback situation in Dallas. The Cowboys’ star receiver had already drained enough emotion on the field in a wild win at Pittsburgh, less than a […]

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FIFA boss open to 32-team CWC

FIFA president Gianni Infantino thinks the mostly unloved Club World Cup could expand to a 32-team tournament played in June. Infantino said in interviews published on Friday in Italian and Spanish newspapers that a club competition could start in 2019. A 32-team event played in the last three weeks of June would be more balanced […]

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Calvert gets stitched up, delivers go-ahead goal

Matt Calvert was beaming in the Columbus Blue Jackes’ locker room after scoring the winning goal with a bandaged forehead hiding about 30 stitches. Calvert returned from absorbing a slap shot that required medical attention and scored a short-handed, tiebreaking goal in the third period to lift the Blue Jackets to a franchise-record seventh straight […]

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Cashner on move to Texas

Right-hander Andrew Cashner is going home for a spot in the Texas Rangers’ rotation. A person familiar with the decision told AP on Friday that the free agent pitcher and the team had reached an agreement on a $10 million, one-year deal. That person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a […]

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Carp finalize deals with veteran trio

Three key contributors to the Hiroshima Carp’s Central League championship effort have been re-signed for 2017, the club announced Friday. Left fielder/first baseman Brad Eldred agreed to a two-year deal reportedly worth $1 million (roughly ¥110 million). This past season, he hit 21 homers with a .294 average. Setup man Jay Jackson and middle reliever/starter […]

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Osmond, Jin win short programs

Kaetlyn Osmond of Canada was the leader after the ladies short program at the Cup of China on Friday, while China’s Jin Boyang was tops for the men. Osmond, the Skate Canada runner-up, scored 72.20 points to take a narrow lead over Russia’s Elena Radionova (70.75) and Mai Mihara (68.48). Rika Hongo sits in sixth […]

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