Red Bull’s Max Verstappen secures first Formula One win for Honda since 2006

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen survived a stewards’ investigation to keep his win in the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday, giving the team’s Japanese engine manufacturer ...

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Kevin Durant to sign with Brooklyn Net

Kevin Durant is headed to the Brooklyn Nets, leaving the Golden State Warriors after three seasons.His decision was announced Sunday at the start of the ...

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Caster Semenya defiant after successful return to 800

Caster Semenya easily won the women’s 800 at the Prefontaine Classic on Sunday, as an international court continues to debate her future in the event.The ...

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Lions finish strong in win over Buffaloes

Takeya Nakamura blew open the game with a three-run double in the bottom of the seventh as the Saitama Seibu Lions overpowered the Orix Buffaloes ...

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David Villa, Andres Iniesta lead Vissel to win over Grampus

Former Spain internationals David Villa and Andres Iniesta each struck twice to lead Vissel Kobe to a 5-3 home win over Nagoya Grampus in the ...

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Free agent Darren Collison retires at 31 to focus on faith

Point guard Darren Collison has decided to retire from the NBA after 10 seasons to focus on being a Jehovah’s Witness.The 31-year-old Collison played for ...

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Former PM Yoshiro Mori invites Vladimir Putin to Rugby World Cup

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori on Saturday invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Rugby World Cup, which kicks off Sept. 20 in Tokyo.The ...

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Penguins trade Phil Kessel to Coyotes for Alex Galchenyuk

The Arizona Coyotes were one of the NHL’s best defensive teams last season while just missing their first playoff appearance in six years.The biggest reason ...

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Australia beats New Zealand by 86 runs in 2015 World Cup final rematch

The break for drinks arrived and the groundsmen at Lord’s sprinted into the middle.While Australia fielders and New Zealand batsmen gulped down fluids on the ...

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Abdul Hakim Sani Brown endures long meet to win 200-meter dash

The long four-day schedule made it tough even for a phenom like Abdul Hakim Sani Brown.The 20-year-old successfully overcame the grind to earn his second ...

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Naomi Osaka returns to hunter role at Wimbledon

A shocking coaching change, off-court distractions, the pressure of added expectations as world No. 1: There’s no one-size-fits-all explanation for Naomi Osaka’s struggles since winning ...

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Michael Leitch eyes Pacific Nations Cup return as Rugby World Cup looms

Japan captain Michael Leitch is targeting the Pacific Nations Cup game against Fiji on July 27 for his long-awaited return to action.The 30-year-old back-row forward ...

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Yankees top Red Sox in MLB’s European debut

Rest assured, British fans: Most baseball games are not like this, not even the crazy ones between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.Major ...

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Sweden ends German curse to clinch berth in semifinals

With Germany out of the way, Sweden believes it could win it all.Stina Blackstenius scored the go-ahead goal just minutes into the second half and ...

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Peru reaches Copa America semifinals after Luis Suarez misses crucial Uruguay penalty

Underdogs Peru advanced to the semifinals of Copa América on Saturday after a goalless draw and a penalty shootout miss from Uruguay striker Luis Suarez.Peru’s ...

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Sani Brown, Koike, Kiryu qualify for 200-meter final; athletes nab national titles in other events

Asian Games men’s 200-meter gold medalist Yuki Koike, 100-meter national record holder Abdul Hakim Sani Brown and Yoshihide Kiryu calmly qualified for the gold-medal race ...

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Lions hurler Keisuke Honda tosses six scoreless innings in rout of Buffaloes

Right-hander Keisuke Honda threw six innings, and Sosuke Genda had a big day at the plate to lead the Seibu Lions to a 7-0 Pacific ...

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Crusaders edge Hurricanes to reach Super Rugby final

The defending champion Crusaders will host Argentina’s Jaguares in next weekend’s Super Rugby final after beating the Hurricanes 30-26 Saturday to continue their quest for ...

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Ex-Japan captain Shigetaka Mori selected as JRFU president

The Japan Rugby Football Union on Saturday named former national team captain Shigetaka Mori the president of the sport’s governing body with less than three ...

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Warriors give contract extensions to GM Bob Myers, COO Rick Welts

Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers and chief operating officer Rick Welts have received multiyear contract extensions.The Warriors announced the moves Friday. Golden State ...

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Michelle Wie done for rest of year to let right wrist heal

Michelle Wie said Friday she has called it quits for the remainder of the 2019 LPGA season to allow her right wrist to heal so ...

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Dominican police arrest ‘mastermind’ in David Ortiz shooting

Authorities in the Dominican Republic announced Friday that they have arrested the man behind the recent shooting of David Ortiz in an apparent case of ...

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London calling: Yankees, Red Sox promote MLB’s arrival in Europe

An array of retired All-Stars and Hall of Famers conducted a youth clinic. Workers put final touches on new clubhouses, batting cages and bullpens.No ducks ...

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Brave Blossoms boss Jamie Joseph explains Sunwolves player policy

Japan coach Jamie Joseph hit back at criticism over his handling of the Sunwolves saying that from a national team’s point of view things went ...

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South Africa triumphs by nine wickets, dents Sri Lanka’s CWC hopes

A week after an upset win over England that tilted the Cricket World Cup axis, Dimuth Karunaratne and his Sri Lankans were trounced by South ...

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Yankees hurler Masahiro Tanaka says he’s ‘honored’ to start first MLB game in Europe

Masahiro Tanaka said Friday he is “honored” to start the first MLB game held in Europe, when the New York Yankees face the Boston Red ...

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Rockies end 12-game losing streak to Dodgers

Pinch hitter Pat Valaika and David Dahl homered in an eight-run fifth inning, Nolan Arenado had four hits, including a home run, and the Colorado ...

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Megan Rapinoe leads U.S. past France, into Women’s World Cup semis

Controversy didn’t drive Megan Rapinoe, the big moment did.Rapinoe turned turmoil into triumph Friday night, scoring twice in the much-anticipated clash with host France to ...

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Giannis Antetokounmpo to play for Greece at FIBA World Cup

Giannis Antetokounmpo will play for Greece at the FIBA World Cup in China, saying on Friday he can play any position.The NBA MVP said he ...

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Argentina moves into Copa America semifinals

Lionel Messi was shackled and yet Argentina flourished to beat Venezuela 2-0 on Friday and set up a Copa America semifinal against Brazil.Marked closely by ...

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Jaguares reach Super Rugby final for first time

Argentina’s Jaguares continued a history-making season, beating the ACT Brumbies 39-7 on Friday to reach the Super Rugby final for the first time just four ...

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Jose Lopez, Yoshitomo Tsutsugo slug two homers apiece as BayStars crush Carp

Jose Lopez and Yoshitomo Tsutsugo each homered twice as league play resumed on Friday in the Yokohama BayStars’ 13-3 whipping of the Hiroshima Carp.Lopez, a ...

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Abdul Hakim Sani Brown claims second 100-meter national title

The field for the men’s 100-meter dash had been called the best and most competitive in the history of the tournament.But at the end of ...

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Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson to pay for 11-year-old shooting victim’s funeral

Buffalo Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson said he will pay for the funeral of an 11-year-old South Carolina girl who died after someone fired more ...

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Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal drawn into possible Wimbledon semifinal

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have been set up for a potential semifinal matchup at Wimbledon.With defending champion Novak Djokovic in the top half of ...

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India downs West Indies to extend unbeaten run to five

Mohammed Shami only got a start at the World Cup because his India teammate Bhuvneshwar Kumar was injured.After finishing off contrasting victories over Afghanistan and ...

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Steven Yates becomes second Toyota Verblitz player arrested on drug charge within a week

Another Toyota Verblitz player was arrested Thursday on suspicion of possessing cocaine, police said.Steven Yates, 35, has admitted to being in possession of a small ...

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Mets Hall of Famer Tom Seaver gets his statue, and Citi Field gets new address

Tom Seaver is getting a statue outside the Mets’ home, and the team is getting a new address.The announcement was made official at a ceremony ...

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Bjorn Borg’s son set to make Wimbledon junior debut: reports

Almost 40 years after his father Bjorn Borg won a fifth consecutive Wimbledon title, 16-year old Leo Borg is set to make his debut at ...

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Lakers trading three players to Wizards to clear salary cap space

The Los Angeles Lakers’ price tag for Anthony Davis got a little steeper on Thursday, with the tradeoff being that the team now has the ...

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Brazil defeats Paraguay in shootout to make Copa America semifinals

Goalkeeper Alisson made a save and Gabriel Jesus scored the decisive penalty as Brazil defeated 10-man Paraguay 4-3 in a penalty shootout to reach the ...

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England blanks Norway to reach World Cup semis

As England practiced a set-piece routine hours before facing Norway, defender Lucy Bronze was determined to apply the finishing touch.“I’ll hit it tonight,” Bronze told ...

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Abdul Hakim Sani Brown, Yuki Koike advance to 100-meter final at nationals

New national record holder Abdul Hakim Sani Brown, former record holder Yoshihide Kiryu and other top sprinters safely qualified for the men’s 100-meter final at ...

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Evessa bring back former coach Kensaku Tennichi

In an attempt to resurrect the franchise and usher in a new glory era, the Osaka Evessa have hired former bench boss Kensaku Tennichi.The Evessa ...

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Liverpool sign Dutch teenager Sepp van den Berg

Liverpool on Thursday completed its first signing of the summer with the capture of 17-year-old Dutch defender Sepp van den Berg from PEC Zwolle.The European ...

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Test events for 2020 Games begin in full swing

The test events for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics started in full swing on Thursday as the Pentathlon World Cup Final opened as the ...

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Ross Ford, Scotland’s most capped player, hangs up boots after 110 test appearances

Ross Ford, Scottish rugby’s most capped player with 110 test appearances, announced his retirement on Thursday.The 35-year-old hooker — who won one cap for the ...

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Fed Cup follows Davis Cup with new tournament format

The Fed Cup is following the Davis Cup with a new tournament format.Starting next year, the women’s tennis event will be a six-day final tournament ...

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Judo great Yasuhiro Yamashita replaces scandal-hit Takeda as Japan Olympic Committee chief

Former Olympic judo gold medalist Yasuhiro Yamashita was appointed president of the Japanese Olympic Committee on Thursday during an executive board meeting in Tokyo.Yamashita won ...

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J. League establishes global ambassador program to promote league overseas

The J. League will draw from its considerable network of foreign former players under a new global ambassador program intended to promote the competition overseas.Two ...

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Raptors’ Marc Gasol accepts one-year player option

Toronto Raptors center Marc Gasol accepted a one-year player option Wednesday for next season.The value is approximately $25.6 million, marking the final year of a ...

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Angels’ Justin Bour continues offensive tear; Shohei Ohtani throws off mound for first time since surgery

Justin Bour returned from his banishment to the minors with a slightly tweaked swing and a renewed hunger at the plate.With another huge game in ...

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Yuta Tabuse returning to Brex for 12th season

The Tochigi Brex fell short of their ultimate goal this past season as injuries took a toll on the title-chasing club.But team management believes continuity ...

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Standout goalie Roberto Luongo retires after 19 NHL seasons

Roberto Luongo wanted to keep playing and keep chasing the elusive Stanley Cup, largely because he believes the Florida Panthers are finally in position to ...

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Thomas Bach says IOC ready to talk 2030 bid with Sapporo

Changes to the Olympic election process announced by the IOC on Wednesday are likely to impact Sapporo’s prospective 2030 Winter Games bid.Speaking at a news ...

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Rookie Rui Hachimura to wear No. 8 for Wizards

Rookie Rui Hachimura will wear No. 8 for the Washington Wizards, the NBA team said Wednesday.The Wizards made the announcement on their official Twitter account, ...

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Roger Federer seeded No. 2, Rafael Nadal No. 3 at Wimbledon; Naomi Osaka No. 2

Eight-time champion Roger Federer was seeded No. 2 for Wimbledon, one spot ahead of Rafael Nadal, reversing their positions in the ATP rankings and creating ...

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Breakdancing among four sports likely added to Paris 2024 Games

The four sports proposed by Paris organizers — breakdancing, skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing — were provisionally approved for the 2024 Summer Games at the ...

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Angels’ Shohei Ohtani to throw off mound Wednesday

Shohei Ohtani will throw off a mound Wednesday for the first time since Tommy John surgery.The Los Angeles Angels announced the latest big step in ...

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IOC strips Olympic status from troubled boxing body AIBA

The IOC has stripped Olympic status from troubled boxing body AIBA and will now organize qualifying and final tournaments for the 2020 Tokyo Games.Olympic inquiry ...

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Australia in World Cup semis after crushing England

Australia smothered top-ranked England by 64 runs at Lord’s on Tuesday and ratcheted up the pressure on the home side to join the defending champion ...

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Tourney defeats hint at Tokyo 2020 potential

In the space of nearly 24 hours, Japan’s hopes at two major international tournaments were extinguished.On Monday, the Samurai Blue’s Copa America campaign ended — ...

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Much talk, no action from sumo committees

The Japan Sumo Association loves committees.Barely a scandal or incident goes by without the creation of some kind of panel or investigative group. Last month ...

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Yankees set home run record in win over Jays

Aaron Judge and his teammates were joking about which one of them would hit the home run that gave the New York Yankees a major ...

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Rui Hachimura takes first NBA steps at Wizards minicamp

Rui Hachimura, the first Japanese player selected in the opening round of the NBA draft, embarked on his professional basketball career Tuesday on the first ...

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Japan falls to Netherlands 2-1 as Dutch advance to WWC quarterfinals

Lieke Martens scored her second goal on a late penalty kick to send the Netherlands into the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup for the ...

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Hiroshima’s Aren Kuri twirls first career shutout in season’s final interleague game

Aren Kuri allowed three hits and no walks over the distance to throw his first career shutout as the Hiroshima Carp beat the Tohoku Rakuten ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2ZRDhcZ

Shoma Doi double propels Antlers into ACL quarterfinals on away goals

The Kashima Antlers went through to the quarterfinals of the Asian Champions League but not without a fight in a 3-2 second-leg, round-of-16 loss to ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2xmKDZP

Derby County’s Frank Lampard granted permission to discuss managerial job with Chelsea

Derby County on Tuesday said it will allow Frank Lampard to hold talks on becoming Chelsea coach.The former Chelsea midfielder led Derby to promotion to ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2ZHX2Ub

Special edition train unveiled in Iwate Prefecture in run-up to Rugby World Cup

A special edition train designed for the upcoming Rugby World Cup was unveiled to reporters at Kamaishi Station in on Tuesday in the build-up to ...

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Longtime AP sports writer Ed Shearer dies at 82

Ed Shearer, a longtime sports writer with The Associated Press who covered the Olympics, Super Bowl, World Series and Hank Aaron’s 715th homer but left ...

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Rui Hachimura’s marketability already evident

Rui Hachimura’s rise to national icon didn’t happen overnight.But he’s now a household name throughout the Japanese archipelago — and this is only the beginning. ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2LnTAdB

Yuzuru Hanyu draws Skate Canada, NHK Trophy for Grand Prix season

Two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu will start his Grand Prix campaign at Skate Canada, the ISU announced recently when the GP assignments for the 2019-20 ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2IJZjbP

Former NBA star Stephon Marbury to coach CBA’s Beijing Royal Fighters

Two-time NBA All-Star Stephon Marbury was named head coach of the Beijing Royal Fighters of the Chinese Basketball Association on Monday.Marbury, a native New Yorker, ...

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CAS to shorten Junya Koga’s doping ban: sources

The Court of Arbitration for Sport is set to hand swimmer Junya Koga a less severe ban after he filed an appeal over his four-year ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Ry9QcH

Coach Gary Stead confident New Zealand openers can rediscover form

New Zealand coach Gary Stead is confident opening batsmen Martin Guptill and Colin Munro will rediscover their scoring touch as the Cricket World Cup reaches ...

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JBA announces August exhibition schedule for national teams

The Japan men’s national team will tune up for the upcoming FIBA World Cup with international exhibitions against New Zealand, Argentina, Germany and Tunisia in ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2J3C1MU

Yankees homer in record-tying 27th straight game

Aaron Hicks and Giancarlo Stanton stretched the Yankees’ home run streak to a record-tying 27 games, and New York beat the Toronto Blue Jays 10-8 ...

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Milan-Cortina to host 2026 Winter Olympics

Riding a wave of widespread Italian enthusiasm to be an Olympic host, Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo won the vote Monday to stage the 2026 Winter ...

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U.S. moves into quarterfinals after victory over Spain

Megan Rapinoe converted a pair of penalty kicks and the United States set up a much-anticipated quarterfinal meeting with host France at the Women’s World ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2LbCi3b

Giannis Antetokounmpo wins MVP; Mike Budenholzer voted top coach

The Milwaukee Bucks fell two games short of the NBA Finals.They won big at the NBA Awards. A tearful Giannis Antetokounmpo earned Most Valuable Player ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2IHKneb

Japan eliminated at Copa America after draw with Ecuador

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said his team would learn from its Copa America heartbreak after missing out on a place in the quarterfinals following Monday’s ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2IEZkOe

Daichi Takeyasu earns first win since 2017 as Buffaloes beat Swallows

Right-hander Daichi Takeyasu pitched seven-plus innings and claimed his first win since 2017 on Monday as the Orix Buffaloes defeated the Tokyo Yakult Swallows 6-2 ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Fol7HV

Coca-Cola extends Olympic sponsorship to 2032 in joint deal with Chinese dairy company

Taking Coca-Cola’s sponsorship beyond 100 years, the IOC has extended with Coca-Cola from 2021 through 2032 in a first-ever joint commercial deal with Chinese dairy ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/31U0lts

Santa Anita season ends after 30 horse deaths, trainer ban

Santa Anita’s troubled racing season has come to a close after the deaths of 30 horses at the Southern California track rattled the industry and ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2X24xnc

Argentina beats Qatar to escape elimination at Copa America

Lionel Messi avoided another disappointment with the national team as Argentina escaped elimination in the group stage of the Copa America.Lautaro Martinez and Sergio Aguero ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2IFN9Rf

Nasa Hataoka’s final-day 65 not enough as Hannah Green wins Women’s PGA Championship

A tournament-low final-day 65 from Nasa Hataoka rocketed her up the leaderboard Sunday, but it proved too little, too late as Australian Hannah Green won ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Y9evEL

Israel Folau’s GoFundMe appeal shut down

Online donation website GoFundMe has shut down the page of Wallabies fullback Israel Folau who sought to raise $3 million to meet the legal costs ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2ZOsEHP

Japan ramps up RWC prep

The Brave Blossoms began the second stage of their pre-Rugby World Cup camp on Monday in Miyazaki with head coach Jamie Joseph saying Japan is ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/31NoFNj

England remains cool under fire as Cameroon implodes

As the Cameroon players protested and play was delayed, England’s staff and players watched in disbelief.“I didn’t know what was going on,” England coach Phil ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2ZEQSEj

Lewis Hamilton easily wins French GP for sixth straight victory

Lewis Hamilton comfortably won the French Grand Prix from pole position on Sunday to clinch a sixth victory this season and extend his championship lead ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Yhk6ZL

Yokozuna Kakuryu tops rankings for Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament

Kakuryu will head into next month’s Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament in pole position as east yokozuna while summer basho winner Asanoyama moved into the No. ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WVnyYh

Yusei Kikuchi bounces back as Mariners rout Orioles

J.P. Crawford had a career day, Yusei Kikuchi had his best outing in a month and the Seattle Mariners used an eight-run third inning to ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2X3xsw0

Aussie Ashleigh Barty’s win knocks Naomi Osaka off WTA summit

Ashleigh Barty will become the first Australian in 43 years to climb to the top of the WTA singles ranking after she won the Birmingham ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XpxZI5

Misfiring FC Tokyo falls to Vegalta

Kunimitsu Sekiguchi scored a stunning goal for Vegalta Sendai to set his team on the way to a 2-0 victory over J. League leader FC ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2ZHVmK6

Lys Gracieux claims second G1 win at Takarazuka Kinen

Third-favorite Lys Gracieux claimed her second Grade-1 victory on Sunday at the 60th running of the Takarazuka Kinen.Lys Gracieux, steered by Australian jockey Damian Lane, ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WYFwOE

Tsuyoshi Wada, Shuhei Fukuda lead Hawks past Giants to interleague title

Tsuyoshi Wada threw five masterful innings, and Shuhei Fukuda homered twice as the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks clinched their eighth interleague championship with a 5-1 win ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2IZ94Si

Wife says David Ortiz in good condition, out of intensive care

David Ortiz’s wife says he has moved out of intensive care.Tiffany Ortiz said in a statement distributed by the Red Sox on Saturday that the ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2X6GbxD

Yankees get bounces in victory against Astros

Booed and banged up during a frustrating season, Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton muscled his way to a breakthrough performance Saturday night.A couple inches the other ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2IZ91pA

Fernando Torres to close out career against David Villa, Andres Iniesta’s Vissel Kobe

Fernando Torres will hang up his boots for good after taking on Andres Iniesta and David Villa in a J. League first-division match in August, ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WYClRZ

Sharpshooter Keisei Tominaga ready to mess with Texas

Keisei Tominaga had always been bound for the United States; the only thing that remained uncertain was where he would end up.The 18-year-old’s destination is ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XxMyJq

Norway tops Australia to reach quarterfinals

Ingrid Hjelmseth proved to be a shootout hero once again as Norway beat Australia on penalties Saturday night to advance to the quarterfinals of the ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2FrNgxR

New Zealand survives scare to remain unbeaten at Cricket World Cup

New Zealand’s unbeaten Cricket World Cup run went within one shot and two meters of ending in the most improbable way as Carlos Brathwaite blazed ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/31ONHMa

Ashleigh Barty reaches Birmingham Classic final with chance to supplant Naomi Osaka as world No. 1

Ashleigh Barty will become the first Australian woman to be ranked world No. 1 in more than 40 years if she beats her doubles partner ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Y7LtoG

Devils land P.K. Subban in deal with Predators

The revamp of the New Jersey Devils now includes one of the top defensemen in the NHL to go along with No. 1 overall draft ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/31Rx3eE

Japan an unwelcome guest at Copa America

Both Copa America guests are still alive as the last round of group stage matches begins, a feature that doesn’t seem to please some of ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Y6FGA3

Marinos triumph over Yamaga on Edigar Junio’s late goal

Edigar Junio’s late goal helped Yokohama F. Marinos overcome their attacking struggles with a 1-0 win over Matsumoto Yamaga on Saturday in the 15th round ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2RtCLia

Hurricanes hold off Bulls in Super Rugby quarterfinal

Rookie winger Salesi Rayasi came off the bench to score two tries as the Hurricanes beat South Africa’s Bulls 35-28 in a Super Rugby quarterfinal ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/31OdZht

FIFA makes penalty shootout rule change during Women’s World Cup

The debut of video review in women’s soccer is causing confusion and has pushed FIFA to make a rule change heading into the knockout phase ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2ZExreM

Dwane Casey says it was ‘exciting’ to see Raptors capture NBA title

Dwane Casey had nothing but positive things to say about the fact that his former team just won the NBA title.Casey coached the Toronto Raptors ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XvOu5f

Giants whip Hawks, stay in contention for interleague crown

It’ll essentially be winner-take-all for this season’s interleague title.The Yomiuri Giants made sure of that. Shun Yamaguchi remained hot on the mound, Yoshihiro Maru remained ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2N4JAbD

Wizards welcome Rui Hachimura

Washington Wizards fans can expect to see Rui Hachimura “play hard” every time he takes the floor, the NBA team’s first-round draft pick said Friday.Fronting ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WZjIxs

Cubs hurler Yu Darvish ties MLB mark with 10th straight no-decision

Chicago Cubs starter Yu Darvish got his 10th straight no-decision Friday in a 5-4 loss to the New York Mets, tying a major league record.The ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Ku7yL7

Devils take center Jack Hughes with No. 1 pick in draft

The first round of the NHL Draft wasn’t so much unpredictable as the game is becoming more international.That was Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill’s ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/31SoC35

Juan Martin Del Potro admits career in doubt after latest injury

Juan Martin del Potro said on Friday that he is not sure if he has played his last tennis match after fracturing the patella in ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2ZCycVB

Raptors must win over Kawhi Leonard

The title won and the draft over, the Toronto Raptors turn to the next order of business: keeping Kawhi Leonard.He is expected to opt out ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2x6TI8V

Roger Federer backs Naomi Osaka to shine after rough patch

Roger Federer insisted Friday that Naomi Osaka will bounce back from a string of setbacks and thrive in the spotlight of being world No. 1 ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2N33rry

Redskins quarterback Alex Smith wants to play again

Washington Redskins quarterback Alex Smith says he hopes to play football again but still needs to make basic progress like relearning how to run after ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2KxWBbi

MLB hands Athletics pitcher Frankie Montas an 80-game doping ban

A season full of All-Star potential for Oakland Athletics pitcher Frankie Montas was drastically cut short Friday when Major League Baseball suspended him 80 games ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2L6kiXP

Chile moves into Copa America quarterfinals

Despite another ankle injury, Alexis Sanchez led Chile to the quarterfinals of the Copa America.Playing in pain after getting hurt in the first half, Sanchez ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2ZCbGw7

Kings hire Joe Dumars as special adviser

Hall of Famer Joe Dumars is back in the NBA, hired as a special adviser to Sacramento Kings general manager Vlade Divac.The Kings announced the ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2RvvKgF

Jaguares rally to beat Chiefs, reach Super Rugby semifinals for first time

Argentina’s Jaguares scored a try in the opening minute but still had to rally to beat the Chiefs 21-16 in a Super Rugby quarterfinal on ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2FpBsfA

Shuhei Fukuda crushes sixth-inning grand slam as Hawks soar past Giants

Pinch hitter Shuhei Fukuda broke a 2-2 tie with a sixth-inning grand slam to lift the interleague-leading Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks to an 8-3 come-from-behind victory ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/31K9HHY

Fiji, Japan could be added to expanded Rugby Championship

Fiji, Japan and even the United States could join an expanded Rugby Championship now that World Rugby’s proposed global league has collapsed.Rugby Australia chief Raelene ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Y0FIZT

Petr Cech returns to Chelsea as technical adviser

Chelsea has appointed its former goalkeeper Petr Cech as technical and performance adviser, the Premier League club announced on Friday.Cech spent 11 years as a ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2FmKhGE

NHL expands video review after calls missed during playoffs

The NHL is expanding its video review process to allow an unlimited number of coaching challenges to address concerns raised after several notable missed calls ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2MZLw52

Crash victim Chris Froome leaves hospital

Chris Froome left Saint-Etienne Hospital on Thursday a week after the horrific crash that ruled him out of next month’s Tour de France.The four-time Tour ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Xo1fPj

Sagan Tosu’s Fernando Torres announces retirement

Sagan Tosu forward Fernando Torres, a former Atletico Madrid, Liverpool and Chelsea star who won the 2011 World Cup with Spain, announced Friday he was ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Foq7w7

Koji Miyoshi scores twice in Japan’s draw with Uruguay

Newcomer Koji Miyoshi scored in both halves for Japan as Hajime Moriyasu’s young side matched Uruguay in an entertaining 2-2 draw Thursday at the Copa ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2N0Mm1e

MLB gives Rays OK to explore playing in Montreal

The Ex-Rays?Starved for fans despite success on the field, the Tampa Bay Rays have been given the go-ahead by Major League Baseball to look into ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Fo29AW

Top-ranked Naomi Osaka loses in second round in Birmingham

Naomi Osaka lost in straight sets at the Birmingham Classic grass-court tournament on Thursday — and could soon lose her No. 1 ranking, too.The two-time ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Fn13Wu

Japan basketball pioneer Yasutaka Okayama reflects on his past, wishes Rui Hachimura well

Yasutaka Okayama was the first Japanese to ever be selected in the NBA Draft. But he humbly says that the impact made by Rui Hachimura ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/31F3mNU

Pelicans open new era by taking Zion Williamson No. 1

Zion Williamson plays with force and ferocity, a Hulk in hightops who looks as though he would never show a soft side.Draft night proved otherwise. ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WS5uy9

Rui Hachimura make history as first-round NBA draft choice by the Washington Wizards

Rui Hachimura made history on Thursday night in New York.Half a world away, the upbeat news provided a positive buzz throughout Hachimura’s homeland on Friday ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WSoD3b

New Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri foresees more goal records for Cristiano Ronaldo

With his attack-minded 4-3-3 formation, new Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri foresees Cristiano Ronaldo setting more scoring records.Sarri was presented Thursday after signing a three-year contract ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WVdHGH

Giants’ Yoshihiro Maru spearheads comeback victory over Buffaloes

Two-time Central League MVP Yoshihiro Maru proved to be a one-man wrecking crew Thursday, driving in four runs in the Yomiuri Giants’ 4-2 come-from-behind interleague ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/31J4hgn

Australia’s David Warner makes Bangladesh pay for World Cup reprieve

Australia opener David Warner made Bangladesh pay for an early miss with a hundred as the reigning champion piled on the runs in a Cricket ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2RqcxNJ

Standout point guard Kaito Ishikawa joins Kumamoto Volters

Kaito Ishikawa demonstrated throughout the 2018-19 season that he was one of the B. League’s most dependable point guards.The Tokyo native shined for the B2 ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WWA6yR

Verblitz flyhalf Ryota Kabashima arrested on cocaine charge

Toyota Verblitz flyhalf Ryota Kabashima was arrested Thursday on suspicion of possessing cocaine, police said, and the team has pulled out of the upcoming Top ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Isd1jf

Rui Hachimura aims to inspire others

Rui Hachimura used to adore a manga and anime series called “Slam Dunk,” which followed a high school basketball team’s trials and tribulations and helped ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2ZAwh3M

Willson Contreras powers Cubs past White Sox

Willson Contreras went 2-for-3 with two home runs and five RBIs, and the Chicago Cubs pulled away for a 7-3 win over the Chicago White ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/31Env6V

Kane Williamson paces New Zealand in close victory over South Africa

Kane Williamson hit a six in the last over to reach his century and followed it up with a boundary to give New Zealand a ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2KtwouM

Lionel Messi, Franco Armani help Argentina stave off elimination at Copa America

Lionel Messi and goalkeeper Franco Armani saved Argentina from another Copa America defeat on Wednesday.Messi scored a second-half equalizer and Armani later saved a penalty ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WSa7s9

David Ortiz wasn’t target of nightclub shooting, Dominican Republic lead prosecutor says

The Dominican Republic’s lead prosecutor said on Wednesday that former Red Sox slugger David Ortiz was not the target of a shooting in a nightclub ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2KsLUXC

World Rugby calls off plans for Nations Championship

World Rugby has scrapped plans to create a rich 12-team Nations Championship after opposition from national unions over issues such as promotion and relegation.The championship, ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WTRTve

Ducks buy out contract of ex-MVP Corey Perry

The Anaheim Ducks have bought out the contract of former NHL MVP Corey Perry after 14 seasons with the franchise.The Ducks announced the move Wednesday, ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WUxIbE

England beats Japan 2-0 to clinch top spot in Group D

For the first time since Bryan Robson, Peter Shilton and Glenn Hoddle, an England team finished a World Cup group stage with a 3-0 record.Ellen ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2MY6gtZ

Ulsan comes from behind to beat Urawa in first leg of Asian Champions League matchup

Urawa Reds, looking to win the Asian championship for the second time in three years, suffered a huge setback in their Asian Champions League round-of-16 ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Y6Bnop

Kazuto Ioka becomes first Japanese four-division champ with TKO of Aston Palicte

Veteran Kazuto Ioka became the first Japanese boxer to capture world titles in four different weight divisions with a dramatic 10th-round technical knockout of top ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XiHxEJ

Up to 70 Russian athletes could face doping charges

The number of Russian athletes accused of receiving banned treatments from a doctor could rise to 70, the country’s anti-doping agency said Wednesday.The agency, known ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/31A30bk

Daiki Iwashita, hard-hitting Marines too much for Carp

Daiki Iwashita took a three-hitter into the eighth inning and was backed by four home runs as the Chiba Lotte Marines beat the Hiroshima Carp ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2x5caP8

Japan’s fencers show progress at Asian championships

“Yeah!”“Yo!” The exact words coming out of veteran fencer Kenta Tokunan’s mouth were unclear. But this much is certain: he was fired up during the ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Xn3W3w

Retirement ceremonies often full of emotion

It’s no secret that difficulty in procuring tickets is one of the main hurdles preventing overseas visitors from being able to watch sumo in person.In ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Zws69b

Host Brazil jeered during scoreless draw with Venezuela

For the second straight time in the Copa America at home, Brazil was jeered by its fans.The hosts followed a lackluster win over Bolivia with ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XkHDLX

No. 1 Naomi Osaka makes winning start at Birmingham Classic

A day after saying she was “not really that comfortable” playing on grass, top-ranked Naomi Osaka needed three sets to get past her first-round opponent ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Zw9XZ9

England’s Eoin Morgan sets record during Cricket World Cup win over Afghanistan

Eoin Morgan came out swinging in an innings that started with an awkward-looking tangle involving his opposing captain, and ended with a world-record clutter of ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2MXrmZz

Matildas star Sam Kerr scores four goals in group stage finale

Sam Kerr scored four goals, one shy of the World Cup record and the most by an Australian, in a 4-1 victory over Jamaica on ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WS6TK4

Takehiro Tomiyasu set for big move to Italy’s Bologna

After a breakout season with Belgium’s Sint-Truiden, defender Takehiro Tomiyasu appears set for a blockbuster move to Bologna in the Italian first division.According to journalist ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2N04HeU

MLB says umpire union tweet about Manny Machado was ‘inappropriate’

Major League Baseball said it was inappropriate for the umpire’s union to comment on the one-game suspension levied against San Diego Padres star Manny Machado ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2IoBJ3X

IAAF argued in court that Caster Semenya is ‘biologically male’

The governing body of track argued that Caster Semenya is “biologically male” and that is the reason she should reduce her natural testosterone to be ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2IS6Kwh

Striker Yuika Sugasawa says Nadeshiko Japan determined to win group

Though their place in the knockout stage is already guaranteed, Nadeshiko Japan are determined to finish on top of Group D at the FIFA Women’s ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/31zxfz8

Giants’ Daikan Yoh comes through in clutch in triumph over Buffaloes

Daikan Yoh delivered a pinch-hit, game-winning RBI double in the bottom of the eighth inning to lead the Yomiuri Giants to a 4-3 victory over ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2xaZM0d

England’s Eoin Morgan blasts record 17 sixes against Afghanistan

England captain Eoin Morgan smashed his way into the record books on Tuesday, blasting 17 sixes — the most in a one-day international cricket innings ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WO7k89

Serginho propels Antlers past Sanfrecce in Asian Champions League round-of-16 first leg

Serginho struck the winner midway through the first half as the Kashima Antlers beat Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1-0 in the opening leg of their Asian Champions ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Xl5gnw

Nick Hundley’s care for ailing boy leads to lasting bond with family

Five years ago, veteran big leaguer Nick Hundley visited Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and met a boy named Zach Sprader. Hundley, then with the San ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2ZxgAdA

Guard LaMelo Ball, 17, signs with Australian team to prep for NBA

American teenager LaMelo Ball has signed with the Illawarra Hawks for the upcoming National Basketball League season, the second top U.S. prospect to join the ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2FtVu8L

Mathieu Bastareaud, Morgan Parra left offFrance’s preliminary Rugby World Cup squad

Mathieu Bastareaud and Morgan Parra, who both captained France just last year, have failed to make the preliminary squad for the Rugby World Cup in ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2KXWA00

Ex-UEFA president Michel Platini arrested in 2022 World Cup probe

Former UEFA president Michel Platini has been arrested in relation to the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, a judicial official said Tuesday.Confirming ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WQD8Jv

Roma icon Francesco Totti’s departure puts pressure on team’s American owner

Former Roma captain Francesco Totti left his position within the club’s management on Monday in a move that will increase fan opposition to the team’s ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XlhvAv

Toronto fetes Raptors with parade

Two weeks from now, the Toronto Raptors’ roster might look as different as Danny Green’s combed-out mohawk with looming decisions from Kawhi Leonard, Marc Gasol ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2KRv3x8

Yankees hurler Masahiro Tanaka tosses two-hit shutout against Rays

At the start of a tough week for his team, Masahiro Tanaka made things look easy on the mound against the Tampa Bay Rays again.Tanaka ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/31EFQ3B

Norway advances to last 16; France, Germany top groups

Norway went through to the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup alongside China and Spain on Monday after beating South Korea 2-1, while France ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2IPGIdf

Elite defender Erik Karlsson re-signs with Sharks in $92 million deal

The San Jose Sharks took a risk when they traded for star defenseman Erik Karlsson knowing he had only one year left on his contract. ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2KmLDW7

Bangladesh hunts down West Indies with second-best run chase at Cricket World Cup

Bangladesh achieved the second-highest run chase in Cricket World Cup history and pushed the West Indies close to elimination in a surprisingly comfortable seven-wicket victory ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Rmi5Zg

Rui Hachimura set to find out fate in NBA Draft

Watch video highlights of the 2014 FIBA Under-17 World Championship in Dubai and you’ll see glimpses of the future pro Rui Hachimura’s immense talents. Impressive ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2KmLBgX

Journeyman QB Josh McCown retires after 16 NFL seasons

Josh McCown was sometimes the starting quarterback, often the backup— and always among the most-respected and well-liked players in whatever locker room he was in.And ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WNqATa

Chile begins Copa America title defense with rout of Japan

Two-time defending champion Chile opened its Copa America campaign with a 4-0 win over Japan on Monday, with Eduardo Vargas scoring a pair of goals ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Kkmds8

Noriaki Kinoshita’s three touchdowns hand Obic third straight Pearl Bowl title

Evergreen wide receiver Noriaki Kinoshita caught three touchdown passes from Skyler Howard and was named the game’s MVP as the Obic Seagulls won their third ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2RiO0Kh

Dragons hold on for close win over Marines

Chunichi Dragons starter Enny Romero struck out 11 in his seven-inning start to get a 5-4 win against the Chiba Lotte Marines in interleague play ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Ktp9mD

Rio 2016 marathon runner-up Eunice Kirwa banned four years for doping

Olympic marathon silver medalist Eunice Kirwa has been banned for four years for doping.The Athletics Integrity Unit says Kirwa’s ban will end on May 7, ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XQ0nzL

Nadeshiko Japan keeps eyes on prize after reaching knockout stage

Nadeshiko Japan will face England in its last Women’s World Cup Group D match with a knockout-stage berth already guaranteed, but the 2011 champion is ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/31BQgB3

Takefusa Kubo’s J. League stint ends with unexpected climax

Japan’s next great hope has taken his next big step.Takefusa Kubo, the 18-year-old midfielder expected to feature for Japan at the Tokyo Olympics and for ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2KRSlmB

Christian Lealiifano to leave ACT Brumbies for Japan

Wallabies utility back Christian Lealifano will end his 12-year career with the ACT Brumbies at the end of the Super Rugby season to play in ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2MPZpmc

Raptors coach Nurse to guide Canada at Basketball World Cup

Fresh off coaching the Toronto Raptors to the NBA title, Nick Nurse confirmed Sunday that he plans to coach the Canadian national team at the ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WU2w1j

Perth to host Australia-France Fed Cup final

Perth was Monday named as host city for the Fed Cup final between Australia and France later this year — the first to be held ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Y0iSC1

Gutsy Gary Woodland wins U.S. Open

In front of Gary Woodland was a 263-yard shot to the scariest green on any par 5 at Pebble Beach, especially with a U.S. Open ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2FcT2Di

Kazuki Nakajima aids Toyota’s 1-2 finish at Le Mans

Toyota drivers Kazuki Nakajima, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Buemi claimed their second consecutive 24 Hours of Le Mans victory Sunday, but only after some bad ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2MVbQx2

12-year-old Misugu Okamoto lays down dominant performance to win Olympic skateboarding qualifier

Less than a week before her thirteenth birthday, skateboarder Misugu Okamoto shocked the crowd with a dominant performance in the women’s park final on Sunday ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2ISBNIC

Carli Lloyd scores twice as U.S. rolls past Chile at Women’s World Cup

Carli Lloyd wasn’t thrilled to open the Women’s World Cup on the bench for the United States. She accepted the role, but made no secret ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2INd20f

First round of applications for Tokyo 2020 torch relay opens

Applications for members of the public wishing to run in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic torch relay opened Monday via a promotion organized by Coca-Cola (Japan) ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2FpCwQD

India maintains dominance over rival Pakistan at Cricket World Cup

For such an intense rivalry, it’s still a lopsided contest when India and Pakistan meet at the Cricket World Cup.India extended its record to 7-0 ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2KSyN1j

FIFA tells Saudis to stop pirated Women’s World Cup TV feeds

FIFA has told Saudi-backed satellite broadcaster Arabsat to stop transmitting pirated feeds of Women’s World Cup games from a Qatari network in an ongoing sports ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2MPBDXr

Kris Johnson outduels Takayuki Kishi as Carp down Eagles

Kris Johnson allowed two runs in six innings to outduel veteran right-hander Takayuki Kishi in the Hiroshima Carp’s 4-2 interleague win over the Tohoku Rakuten ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XgYKOx

Kaori Icho’s 2020 Olympic bid hits roadblock after national final loss

Japan’s four-time Olympic wrestling champion Kaori Icho was defeated at the national invitational championships on Sunday and will have to prevail in a playoff in ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XOPIFC

‘Japanese Messi’ Takefusa Kubo set for Copa America debut

On a continent where “imitation” Galacticos are a dime a dozen, Takefusa Kubo could just be the real deal.Snapped up by Real Madrid on Friday ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WIU0C5

Hitting for cycle no common occurance for NPB players

Let’s talk about the cycle for a minute.Shohei Ohtani made history on Thursday in Tampa, Florida, when he became first-ever Japanese player to hit for ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2N0qJOy

Yu Darvish overcomes past history at Dodger Stadium as Cubs edge Dodgers

Yu Darvish can rest easier now. He finally conquered his demons at Dodger Stadium.Darvish tossed seven innings of one-run ball while being booed heavily and ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2wYYPHX

Gary Woodland holds slim lead over Justin Rose at U.S. Open

Gary Woodland hit a shank and a chunk and both times made par, and he made a birdie from a deep divot in the fairway. ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2wUw2nR

O.J. Simpson joins Twitter: ‘I got a little gettin’ even to do’

O.J. Simpson launched a Twitter account with a video post in which the former football star said he’s got a “little gettin’ even to do.”Simpson ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2IPPQ1d

Tyson Fury stays unbeaten, stops Tom Schwarz late in second round

Tyson Fury put on a show before, during and after his first bout in the fight capital of the world.The British heavyweight star stopped Tom ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/31CWPTO

Canada advances with victory over New Zealand

Jessie Fleming and Nichelle Prince each had second-half goals and Canada advanced to the knockout round at the Women’s World Cup with a 2-0 victory ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2IYB5JV

Tokyo 2020 rowing venue opens in heart of Tokyo Bay, 13 months ahead of Olympics

Organizers opened the rowing venue for next year’s Tokyo Olympics on Sunday, highlighted by a race between alumni crews from Oxford and Cambridge — the ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XYK9V2

Former All Black player recalls Kamaishi’s 3/11 devastation

March 11, 2011, is a date that will stick long in the memory of former All Black Pita Alatini, and not just because it was ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Rryqw9

Lakers, Pelicans agree on blockbuster trade for Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis will wind up with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers after all.The New Orleans Pelicans have agreed to trade the disgruntled Davis ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WN9KnB

Aaron Finch ton leads Australia to 334-7 vs. Sri Lanka

Aaron Finch hit a career-best 153 in spearheading Australia to 334-7 against Sri Lanka at the Oval in a Cricket World Cup match on Saturday.Australia’s ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Fczqz1

Andres Iniesta guides Vissel Kobe past FC Tokyo in Kanto debut

After four no-shows at high-capacity stadiums in the greater Tokyo metropolitan area, Andres Iniesta finally stood on a pitch in the capital in front of ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/31BrDVh

Swallows blow big lead, then rally past Lions

Takahiro Araki tied the game with a ninth-inning, pinch-hit RBI single, helping the Tokyo Yakult Swallows overturn a late deficit in their 6-5 interleague victory ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Xfp4Zs

All-rounder Carlos Brathwaite reprimanded for showing dissent to umpire’s decision

West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite has received an official reprimand and one demerit point for showing dissent to an umpire’s decision during a Cricket World ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Zt2xG5

Caster Semenya declines Rabat 800-meter race invitation, organizers say

Caster Semenya was invited on Friday to run in an 800-meter race in Morocco on Sunday — after previously saying she had been denied the ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XarokD

Japan coaches thinking long term for young hoop prospects

The next year and a half will arguably be the most important period in the history of Japanese basketball with the 2019 FIBA World Cup ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XPjTMX

Giants showing signs of life

Pablo Sandoval, Kevin Pillar and Mike Yastrzemski homered and Drew Pomeranz pitched into the sixth inning, helping the San Francisco Giants beat the Milwaukee Brewers ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XTPayw

Rui Hachimura among 20 players to receive invitation to green room at NBA Draft

Rui Hachimura is among 20 players who have been issued invitations to sit in the green room for the NBA Draft next Thursday, ESPN reported ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2MPrsSW

Prosecutors to retry Kellen Winslow Jr. on rape charges

Former pro football player Kellen Winslow Jr. will be retried after a jury convicted him of raping a homeless woman but failed to agree on ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2IhADav

JRA bans horses over feed additive

The Japan Racing Association said Saturday it would exclude 156 horses from weekend races after finding a prohibited substance in their feed additives.According to the ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2IEXiMM

Jaguares hammer Sunwolves in teams’ season finale

The Sunwolves’ 2019 Super Rugby season came to a close Friday with a 52-10 defeat at the hands of the Jaguares at Buenos Aires’ Estadio ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XM1lgw

Captain Michael Leitch says Brave Blossoms can make history at Rugby World Cup

Japan captain Michael Leitch warned that the Brave Blossoms will fear no one at this year’s World Cup as the hosts target a place in ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2F9AZ0Q

Coutinho sparks Brazil in opening win over Bolivia

Philippe Coutinho helped Brazil overcome the absence of Neymar by scoring twice in a 3-0 win over Bolivia in the opening match of the Copa ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WIz65S

Gary Woodland takes lead, ties U.S. Open record

Gary Woodland was playing so well on Friday in the U.S. Open that he didn’t want to give away any shots. He wound up stealing ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2MZeMZs

Warriors brace for much uncertainty

Steve Kerr still considers Golden State an ideal fit for Kevin Durant.Whether Durant sees it that way going into free agency next month, Kerr isn’t ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2MOCsA0

Nadeshiko Japan back on track with 2-1 win over Scotland in Women’s World Cup

Coach Asako Takakura insisted there is more to come from her young team after Nadeshiko Japan gave its women’s World Cup campaign a shot in ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2X9psZC

Dragons starter Yuya Yanagi fans 13 in electrifying complete-game effort

The Chiba Lotte Marines invited the band from nearby Narashino High School to sit in left field and power their cheering section on Friday night.Turns ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WHPovT

Frontale, Consadole play to 1-1 draw

Kawasaki Frontale captain Yu Kobayashi equalized in the second half to salvage a 1-1 draw against Consadole Sapporo on Friday.In the return to J1 action ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2IFVe7f

West Indies’ Chris Gayle sets batting mark against England at Cricket World Cup

Chris Gayle took his time getting off the mark, miscued a few shots, was dropped in the deep and finally hit and cleared the boundary ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/31wwPcT

Diego Maradona steps down as Sinaloa Dorados coach

Citing medical reasons, former soccer star Diego Maradona stepped down as coach of the Sinaloa Dorados of Mexico’s second division Thursday.The 58-year-old Maradona took over ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2MNf6dM

Nations League winner Portugal climbs to No. 5 in FIFA rankings

Nations League champion Portugal is up two places to No. 5 in the FIFA men’s rankings, which are still led by Belgium.World champion France in ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2MLTeQ9

Robert Morris University guard Honoka Ikematsu, assistant coach Asami Morita aiming for personal growth

After two seasons as an NCAA Division I college basketball player, Honoka Ikematsu has learned that mental strength and physical skills are equally important.The Robert ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Kjc7YJ

Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen dies at 75

Pat Bowlen, the Denver Broncos owner who transformed the team from also-rans into NFL champions and helped the league usher in billion-dollar TV deals, has ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2ZpXy9e

Brazil police question Neymar over rape allegations

Brazilian soccer star Neymar spent about five hours at a police station to undergo questioning about rape allegations against him, one of the final steps ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XMDqxs

Oh, Canada … Raptors are NBA champions!

Kawhi Leonard raised his arms high in triumph and celebrated Canada’s first NBA championship.“We the North!” is now “We the Champs!” Leonard and the Toronto ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WFmR56

Chris Froome undergoes successful surgery after crash, could race again in six months: surgeon

Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome has undergone a successful four-hour operation following a devastating crash and could be back racing in six months, ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2KfaMlu

Arizona State football coach Herm Edwards to serve as professor

Herm Edwards is adding a new title at Arizona State: Professor.The school announced Thursday that the Arizona State head football coach will become a professor ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WFF7QS

Lee Chong Wei’s retirement ends legendary rivalry with Lin Dan

Lee Chong Wei’s tearful retirement was not just a sad conclusion to one of badminton’s great careers, it also ended his remarkable rivalry with China’s ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2If6nwA

Australia stuns Brazil with rally

A Monica own goal completed a remarkable turnaround by Australia at the Women’s World Cup on Thursday, as the Matildas came from two goals down ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2MN71pq

Justin Rose fires 65 to tie record at U.S. Open

Justin Rose closed out his opening round with three straight birdies to lead the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, which was all he could want.He ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2KgcNhn

Ban on ticket scalping comes into force ahead of 2020 Tokyo Olympics

A law that prohibits ticket scalping for concerts and sports events came into force Friday ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.The legislation, which ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WIZmgr

Shohei Ohtani first Japanese player to hit for cycle in MLB

Shohei Ohtani became the first Japanese-born player to hit for the cycle, helping the Los Angeles Angels beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-3 Thursday night ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2IHDdWc

FC Tokyo’s Takefusa Kubo set to make Real Madrid move

Japan’s ascendant star playmaker Takefusa Kubo is set to depart FC Tokyo for a move to Spanish giant Real Madrid, sources close to the matter ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2F8OuO9

Hawks’ Kotaro Otake tosses eight scoreless innings in victory over Tigers

Kotaro Otake pitched eight scoreless innings and Yurisbel Gracial’s seventh-inning home run lifted the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks to a 3-0 win over the Hanshin Tigers ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2RcORvR

Defending champion Manchester City receives kind start in Premier League

Defending champion Manchester City will begin its Premier League campaign at West Ham and only play one of the so-called “Big 6” teams in its ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WC0zS6

Star center Davante Gardner joins SeaHorses

In a major move that could shake up the balance of power in the B. League’s Central Division, the SeaHorses Mikawa announced the acquisition of ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2ZlMwSi

Mike Moustakas lifts Brewers with 14th-inning blast against Astros

utersOn a night when the Milwaukee Brewers struck out again and again, piling up a season-high 24 strikeouts against the Houston Astros, one big swing ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2MOuHtI

Golden Kings add Hiroki Fujita to coaching staff

The Ryukyu Golden Kings have added the well-traveled Hiroki Fujita to their coaching staff as an assistant.The team announcement was made on Tuesday. Two days ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WMGpd7

Brooks Koepka bids to make history with third straight U.S. Open win

Brooks Koepka launches his bid for an historic U.S. Open treble on Thursday at Pebble Beach, where Tiger Woods once separated himself from all rivals ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2KfriSF

Grizzlies confident in new coach Taylor Jenkins

Taylor Jenkins feels confident that Memphis’ new front office will give him enough time to turn around the Grizzlies.Jenkins is the Grizzlies’ fourth head coach ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2KS3nYK

Six suspects, including gunman, arrested in David Ortiz shooting

An alleged gunman and five accomplices have been detained in the shooting of former Red Sox superstar David Ortiz, Dominican officials said Wednesday, while providing ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2ICxlNT

Yui Hasegawa in doubt as Japan prepares for Scotland

Winger Yui Hasegawa skipped practice to treat an ankle injury Wednesday as Nadeshiko Japan prepared for its upcoming Women’s World Cup clash with Group D ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2IdcpxN

Chris Froome crashes in training, will miss Tour de France

Four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome will miss this year’s race after a “bad crash” in training on Wednesday.Team INEOS leader Dave Brailsford said ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2IKbqVc

Australia’s David Warner notches century in triumph over Pakistan

Australia batsman David Warner was a happy man after returning to something like his best form with a century to lead his team to victory ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XHc5wM

France beats Norway for 2nd win

Eugenie Le Sommer scored the winning goal from the penalty spot to lift host nation France to a 2-1 win over Norway at the Women’s ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Rb8mFf

‘Street sports’ gain ground in Japan ahead of Olympic debut

As Tokyo prepares to host the inaugural Olympic 3×3 basketball, freestyle BMX and skateboarding events, youth-focused “street sports” are breaking new ground in Japan, providing ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2X6hKiJ

Blues outplay Bruins in Game 7 to nab first Stanley Cup

Blues goalie Jordan Binnington was waiting patiently, as NHL rookies learn to do, while the Stanley Cup was passed from teammate to teammate across the ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2wTF2JW

Kevin Durant has surgery on ruptured Achilles

Kevin Durant confirmed what everyone most feared: He underwent surgery for a ruptured right Achilles tendon.Durant posted on social media Wednesday the severity of his ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WG2QM8

David Ortiz ‘making good progress’ in Boston ICU as $8,000 murder plot is revealed

Former Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz remained in the intensive care unit at Massachusetts General Hospital on Wednesday as he continues to recover from ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WwDOPm

Predicting next yokozuna a formidable task

When veteran sumo journalists get together and the conversation turns, as it inevitability does, to up-and-coming wrestlers, talk is rarely of who will be the ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2wMWQXf

World Rugby confident JRFU strife won’t impact World Cup

World Rugby bosses said Wednesday they are not concerned by the recent upheaval within the Japan Rugby Football Union and that it will not impact ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XFM3tD

All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick signs with Top League’s Kobelco Steelers

All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick, the 2014 World Rugby Player of the Year, has signed a deal with the Kobe Kobelco Steelers, the Top League ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2F4ogwk

Top draft pick Kosei Yoshida makes winning debut as Fighters edge Carp

Kosei Yoshida, the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters’ first pick in last year’s NPB draft, got the win in his professional debut Wednesday as the Fighters ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XIBnL0

Much at stake in a last NBA Finals trip to Oracle Arena

The NBA Finals are making one last trip to Oracle Arena.For the Toronto Raptors, it’s a second shot at a first championship. For the Golden ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2wKVjB5

Alvark’s Yudai Baba to join Mavericks minicamp

Alvark Tokyo star Yudai Baba, last month’s B. League Final MVP, has been invited to participate in the Dallas Mavericks’ upcoming minicamp.The two-time defending B. ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2wMnyzc

Tiger Woods expresses sympathy for injured Warriors star Kevin Durant

Knowing all too well what it’s like to be struck down by injury, Tiger Woods spared a thought for Kevin Durant on Tuesday, after watching ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Xdzau8

Poor scheduling holding back Samurai Blue

Between the U-20 World Cup, the U-22 Toulon Tournament and a Copa America which could see over a dozen Tokyo 2020-eligible players earn their first ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2MFXmRF

Fencers seek Olympic spots

Japan’s national team fencers are fired up for the upcoming Asian Championships as they seek to earn spots in the team competitions at next year’s ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2K9WXEU

Ohtani takes Maeda deep in victory

Shohei Ohtani homered off Kenta Maeda and robbed his countryman of a chance for an eighth win Tuesday as the Los Angeles Angels beat the ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2MIb8mZ

Four main factors stand out when assembling squad for World Cup

It’s 100 days to go until the Rugby World Cup, and all the countries are about to get their players together for training.With England, we ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2KfY1Hh

Final countdown begins for 2019 Rugby World Cup

Japan on Wednesday marked 100 days to go until the start of this year’s Rugby World Cup, with World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper saying, “The ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Kccvbh

Reliever Scott Mathieson happy to be back on mound for Giants

Scott Mathieson had appeared in 393 games for the Yomiuri Giants entering this season. Over the past seven years, he’s come out the Yomiuri bullpen ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2I8AuWy

Raiders picked to be featured on ‘Hard Knocks’

Oakland Raiders coach Jon Gruden will be a TV star once again.HBO announced Tuesday that the Raiders will be featured on the network’s “Hard Knocks” ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/31o4VQp

United States rout Thailand as Alex Morgan scores five goals

Thailand was never a real threat to the U.S. national team. Even so, the three-time Women’s World Cup champions had no desire to go easy ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WznxZU

Emergency starter Yasuo Sano, reliever Kyle Martin guide Lions past Giants

Yasuo Sano threw four innings in an emergency start, then Kyle Martin added three innings of relief as the Seibu Lions shut out the Yomiuri ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2F0pGIk

89ers finalize deal with veteran leader Jerome Tillman for 2019-20 season

The Sendai 89ers orchestrated a dramatic turnaround under first-year bench boss Dai Oketani this past season.The 89ers won 40 of 60 regular-season games, a 19-win ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XH67Mk

Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga returning home briefly for mother-in-law’s funeral

Sri Lanka Cricket has tweeted that Lasith Malinga will return home after the death of his mother-in-law, Kanthi Perera, in Colombo.The fast bowler is due ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2ICr7NS

West Indies ready and raring to go againstEngland

The size and pace of the fast bowlers from the Caribbean has cricket watchers excited about a potential West Indies renaissance at the World Cup.The ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WuxIiz

Rugby World Cup trophy arrives in Japan for three-month tour

The trophy for this year’s Rugby World Cup arrived in Japan on Monday ahead of a three-month tour around the country.The Webb Ellis Cup landed ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XDfWef

Tampa Bay starter Charlie Morton improves to 8-0

Charlie Morton is proving his worth to the Tampa Bay Rays.The 35-year-old right-hander, signed to a $30 million, two-year contract in free agency, remained unbeaten ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2wMfuP9

J. League launches global distribution deal with Rakuten Sports streaming service

The J. League on Tuesday announced a global distribution deal through the newly launched Rakuten Sports streaming service.The platform, which is currently available for free, ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2ZiReA5

Bruins hope for Game 7 win again

The strains of Jay-Z and Linkin Park’s “Numb/Encore” mashup emanated from a small speaker on the hallway floor outside the visiting locker room following the ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2R5nBj0

Ex-NFL player Kellen Winslow Jr. convicted of rape

Former NFL player Kellen Winslow Jr. — the son of a Hall of Famer who himself earned more than $40 million during his career — ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2X39EHQ

Four-time NBA champion Tony Parker retiring after 18 seasons

Four-time NBA champion Tony Parker’s impressive career is over.Parker announced Monday he’s retiring from basketball after 18 seasons in the NBA. The 37-year-old guard said ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2ZqDT9h

Kevin Durant hurt again, but Warriors win Game 5

The Golden State Warriors aren’t letting go of the NBA title just yet.With Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson shooting and Draymond Green swatting, the champions ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WtNf26

David Ortiz returns to Boston after being shot in Dominican bar

David Ortiz was back in Boston on Monday night for medical care, a day after authorities said the former Red Sox slugger affectionately known as ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WCYQRi

Japan open Women’s World Cup with 0-0 draw against Argentina

Nadeshiko Japan were left ruing missed chances after opening their 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign Monday with a scoreless draw against Group D opponents ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Ibidbr

Suspect in custody in ambush shooting of retired Red Sox slugger David Ortiz

Police in the Dominican Republic were investigating on Monday why a man shot and wounded former Boston Red Sox slugger David “Big Papi” Ortiz as ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WYr5t8

Coca-Cola seeks “group runner” for 2020 torch relay

Coca-Cola (Japan) Co. said Monday it is looking for a group of up to 10 people to participate together in the torch relay of the ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WvaXe4

Inaugural Nations League surpasses most expectations

The Estadio do Dragao was still filled as Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates congratulated each other and waited for the trophy presentation after Portugal won ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WTMBPH

Walker Buehler, Max Muncy lead Dodgers to shutout of Giants

Walker Buehler and two relievers combined on a five-hitter, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat ace Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants 1-0 on ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2R53gdx

Two more horses die in two days at troubled Santa Anita

A second horse in two days and 29th overall has died at Santa Anita, where management has chosen to continue racing for the rest of ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XAW5fz

Pakistan have no need to fear Australia, says Mohammad Hafeez

Veteran batsman Mohammad Hafeez has urged his teammates to take the confidence from their win over hosts England into their next World Cup match against ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2wJ3Dkz

USGA hoping to get back to old-style U.S. Open at Pebble Beach

The stage is set for what should be the ideal U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, perhaps the most popular of all U.S. Open courses with ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XDTlOK

Kosei Tanaka looking to punch way into spotlight

Kosei Tanaka was only a fifth-grader when Kiyoshi Hatanaka first saw him throwing punches.It only took an instant for the former world champ to spot ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2ZjqlMn

Hanshin’s Fumihito Haraguchi has already written inspiring story in comeback from cancer

The past week was one of returns in Japanese baseball.Interleague play is back, with the annual competition between the Central and Pacific Leagues having kicked ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2I5QpEY

Nikita Parris shakes off butterflies to power England to victory over Scotland

Sitting in her hotel on the French Riviera on the eve of her World Cup debut, England forward Nikita Parris suddenly felt an unexpected twinge ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2I6HoM3

Bruins rout Blues to force Game 7

Facing elimination in an oh-so-hostile environment, Brad Marchand and Tuukka Rask stepped up for the Boston Bruins once again.The Stanley Cup Final is heading to ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2MAYzK1

Ash Barty basks in glow of Grand Slam title

Ash Barty sat down to meet with reporters, crossed her arms and rested them on a table that held the French Open trophy she’d just ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2R0Z66H

Former Red Sox star David Ortiz shot in Dominican Republic

Former Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz was ambushed by a man who got off a motorcycle and shot him in the back at nearly ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XAGf4B

Raptors, Warriors agree series isn’t over yet ahead of Game 5

The word of the day Sunday that best summed up the NBA Finals was “yet.”As in, Golden State isn’t ready to give up its throne ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WX5K2V

‘King of Clay’ Rafael Nadal captures 12th French Open title

For a few, fleeting moments Sunday, Rafael Nadal found his French Open supremacy seemingly threatened by Dominic Thiem, a younger, talented opponent challenging him in ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2KELiNU

Kensuke Nagai brace leads Japan past El Salvador as Takefusa Kubo earns first cap

Kensuke Nagai scored his first goals for Japan on Sunday in a 2-0 friendly victory over El Salvador as 18-year-old Takefusa Kubo made his highly ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2ZbAtHd

IAAF extends Russia’s ban from track and field, confirms rebrand

Russia’s ban from international track and field has been extended over concerns it’s “backsliding” on doping reforms.Sunday’s decision by track’s world governing body, the IAAF, ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2EZFhb0

Giants bats support returning ace Tomoyuki Sugano in big win over Marines

Yomiuri Giants fans used their cheers to welcome ace pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano back to the diamond.The Giants players did it with their bats. Yoshiyuki Kamei, ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Z8MfSG

Tony Ferguson beats Donald Cerrone by TKO in lightweight fight at UFC 238

Tony Ferguson’s path to the lightweight title is becoming clear.Ferguson won by technical knockout after a medical stoppage in a lightweight fight against Donald Cerrone ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WpXoMU

Shohei Ohtani homers off Yusei Kikuchi in Angels’ big win over Seattle

Shohei Ohtani and Yusei Kikuchi sensed the excitement around Angel Stadium each time they dug in against each other. The Japanese stars also realized millions ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2K4Pnvh

Kumiko Okada sets new national record in women’s 20-km race walk

Kumiko Okada set a new national record in the women’s 20-kilometer race walk Saturday at the Gran Premio Cantones de Marcha, the Spanish leg of ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XvOEX4

Spain downs South Africa for first Women’s World Cup win

Spain won a game at the Women’s World Cup for the first time, beating South Africa 3-1 on Saturday behind two penalty kicks by Jennifer ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2KCVJS2

Sunwolves fall to Stormers despite Semisi Masirewa brace

The Sunwolves fell to their 13th loss of the Super Rugby season Saturday as they went down 31-18 to the Stormers at Cape Town’s Newlands ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/31jVelT

Tomoa Narasaki earns second overall World Cup bouldering title

Tomoa Narasaki finished runner-up at the final bouldering World Cup event of the season on Saturday to earn his second overall title in three years.Narasaki, ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WtIrd7

Australia’s Ashleigh Barty wins first major at French Open

Ashleigh Barty knew she needed a break from tennis, from the pressure and expectations, from the week-in, week-out grind. So she stepped away in 2014 ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WvCl0H

Yui Kamiji falls in women’s wheelchair final at French Open

Japan’s Yui Kamiji failed in her attempt to win a third straight French Open women’s wheelchair singles title on Saturday, while compatriot Shingo Kunieda prevailed ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2KCWmuS

Dominic Thiem ousts Novak Djokovic, awaits French Open final rematch with Rafael Nadal

Novak Djokovic’s dream of becoming just the second man in history to hold all Grand Slam titles at the same time twice was crushed by ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2I1DTq9

Jason Roy smashes 153, takes out umpire as England hits 386-6

Jason Roy smashed an umpire to the ground and Bangladesh’s bowlers to all corners of Sophia Gardens in his 121-ball 153 to lead England to ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2KD5XlA

Marines rally past Giants in ninth

The Chiba Lotte Marines were on the road, missing some key players because of injuries, down a run and three outs away from a loss.But ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WrUkjn

Crusaders pound Rebels 66-0 in Super Rugby match

The back three of Braydon Ennor, Sevu Reece, and David Havili shared eight tries as the Crusaders emphatically sealed first place in Super Rugby by ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2wFWeTc

Saki Kumagai excited about chance to play Women’s World Cup in adopted home country

Japan midfielder Saki Kumagai has a special reason to look forward to her country’s opening match in the Women’s World Cup — her adopted home ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2QVD98Z

Vissel Kobe hire ex-Hamburger SV boss Thorsten Fink as new manager

Vissel Kobe on Saturday named former Hamburger SV boss Thorsten Fink as their new manager. He replaces Takayuki Yoshida.The 51-year-old German takes the reins with ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WWML8P

Rui Hachimura excites draft experts

Mark your calendars.June 20 is the day that officially puts Japan on the global basketball map like never before. The reason?The 2019 NBA Draft will ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WpEbv5

ICC tells India star to ditch gloves

Cricket’s governing body insisted on Friday that India’s Mahendra Singh Dhoni will not be allowed to wear an apparent military insignia on his World Cup ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2wEXki4

NHL hands Blues forward Ivan Barbashev one-game ban for illegal hit

The NHL has suspended St. Louis Blues forward Ivan Barbashev for one game for an illegal check to the head of Boston Bruins forward Marcus ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Xzvdwr

Takuma Sato claims pole position for IndyCar Series race in Texas

Takuma Sato has earned the pole for the IndyCar Series race at Texas with a two-lap qualifying average of 354.4 kph.Sato got his ninth career ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2QVEnks

Astros top Orioles in 11th

Robinson Chirinos hit an RBI double with two outs in the 11th inning to lift the Houston Astros to a 4-3 win over the Baltimore ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2IpBDrM

Eagles reward quarterback Carson Wentz with four-year extension

Carson Wentz proved to the Philadelphia Eagles in three years he’s worth a huge investment.Wentz and the Eagles have agreed on a four-year contract extension ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2I2NwVK

France wins in World Cup opener against South Korea

France began the Women’s World Cup the way it ended last year’s men’s tournament: with an emphatic victory.Wendie Renard, at 188 cm the tallest player ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Iy8J8O

Raptors win away from NBA title

Kawhi Leonard’s hot hand is sending the Raptors home to Toronto on the cusp of a startling upset for Canada.Leonard outdueled the Splash Brothers for ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WSYNjA

Japanese sprinter Abdul Hakim Sani Brown sets national record in 100 meters

Japanese sprinter Abdul Hakim Sani Brown set a new national record with a time of 9.97 seconds in the men’s 100 meters at the NCAA ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Wt064E

Kodai Senga shines on mound as Hawks outplay Carp

Kodai Senga struck out eight over seven scoreless innings as the Pacific League’s Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks beat the three-time defending Central League champion Hiroshima Carp ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2wFX2r9

Rafael Nadal defeats Roger Federer in three sets to reach French Open final

Rafael Nadal beat rival Roger Federer 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 on Friday to reach his 12th French Open final.Nadal improved to 6-0 against Federer at Roland ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2wGuAp9

Ashleigh Barty, Marketa Vondrousova advance to French Open final

Ashleigh Barty and Marketa Vondrousova set up a Roland Garros final showdown on Friday, shrugging off a sexism row which had seen their semifinals shifted ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2EX1KFA

Saga Ballooners coaching staff takes shape

The Saga Ballooners, a new B. League third-division team, have hired Takayuki Yasuda as an assistant coach, it was announced on Wednesday.Yasuda spent the past ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WpS4hw

Sunwolves shake up lineup for match against Stormers

The Sunwolves head into their final two games of the 2019 Super Rugby season with yet more new players in their squad as they look ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2I0Dc0g

Michael Norman sets 200-meter meet record at Golden Gala

Michael Norman clocked a world-leading time in the 200 meters to edge out fellow American Noah Lyles at the Golden Gala meet on Thursday.Norman’s time ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2K9t7Rd

Max Kepler slugs three homers as Twins avoid sweep

Max Kepler homered three times and Jose Berrios (8-2) locked up Cleveland’s lineup into the seventh inning as the Minnesota Twins avoided a sweep — ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2MA3f2R

Sports court confirms Man City files appeal against UEFA

The Court of Arbitration for Sport confirmed it has been asked by Manchester City to block UEFA’s pursuit of a Champions League ban for violating ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WzmtdD

Left-hander Dallas Keuchel, Braves reach deal: source

It appears free agent pitcher Dallas Keuchel has finally found a home. Keuchel and the Atlanta Braves agreed to a one-year contract that would pay ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WlhJ6d

Golden State’s Klay Thompson slated to return from hamstring injury for Game 4

Everyone knows about Klay Thompson’s ability to get dangerously hot in a hurry on offense.His stingy defense might just be the thing that matters most ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WkMY1h

Ex-Japan captain Makoto Hasebe visits Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh

Soccer player Makoto Hasebe, who serves as Japan’s national UNICEF goodwill ambassador, visited a Muslim Rohingya refugee camp in southern Bangladesh on Thursday to call ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2ZeLcQX

NBA hands Warriors investor one-year ban, $500,000 fine for shoving Kyle Lowry

Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry wanted the Golden State Warriors executive who shoved him during an NBA Finals game ousted from the league.The NBA decided ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2EWBwTv

Netherlands defeats England to reach Nations League final

Another semifinal loss, another missed chance for England to end its title drought.The Netherlands took advantage of two sloppy defensive mistakes by England in extra ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2K2ewGO

Bruins angry by no-calls in Game 5 loss

Down and nearly out, the Boston Bruins are angry, too.An emotional return by their injured captain and a frenzied start weren’t enough for the Bruins, ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Mx8Qa7

Giants’ Kazuma Okamoto delivers game-winning blast against Eagles

Kazuma Okamoto’s home run lifted the Yomiuri Giants to a 2-1 win over the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles on Thursday, helping the club claim its ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WuLjez

Inazawa junior high school students to participate in Greek leg of 2020 relay

Junior high school students from Inazawa, Aichi Prefecture, will take part in the Greek leg of the 2020 Tokyo Games torch relay after the flame ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2HYFwoI

Teenager Amanada Anisimova shocks defending champ Simon Halep in quarterfinals

American teenager Amanda Anisimova stunned defending champion Simona Halep on Thursday to reach a French Open semifinal against Australian eighth seed Ashleigh Barty.The 17-year-old downed ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Wo1fPA

Blues wearing down Bruins in battle of attrition

Twice the Boston Bruins have been forced to finish a Stanley Cup Final game down a defenseman. The St. Louis Blues won each time.That’s not ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Z8GB2S

NCAA moving 3-point line back to international distance

The 3-point line is moving back in men’s college basketball.The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel announced Wednesday that the arc will be moved to 6.75 ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Wow3Qi

Shohei Ohtani homers, drives in four runs in Angels’ win over Athletics

Shohei Ohtani blasted a home run for the second straight game and drove in a major league career-high four RBIs on Wednesday in the Los ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2JZUvkv

NeoPhoenix turn to veteran coach Brian Rowsom in quest to make playoffs

The San-en NeoPhoenix’s victory total has decreased in each season of the B. League era.Therefore, team management decided it was time to make a coaching ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2ERIwBa

New Zealand defeats Bangladesh in drama-filled Cricket World Cup match

Two unforced run out errors scarred Bangladesh’s loss to New Zealand in their drama-filled Cricket World Cup match on Wednesday at the Oval.At the center ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XssNzK

Cops say women vanished with Le’Veon Bell’s jewelry worth $500,000

Authorities say two female acquaintances vanished with more than half a million dollars in jewelry from star NFL running back Le’Veon Bell’s Florida home.Hollywood police ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2wFMkkE

Ronaldo’s hat trick propels Portugal into Nations League final

On a night when Portugal unveiled its newest star, it was the same old Cristiano Ronaldo who came through for the national team again.Teenager Joao ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Kw3CbO

French Open rainout makes mess of schedule

The second full-day washout at the French Open since 2000 made a mess of the schedule Wednesday and raised the possibility that the Grand Slam ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WkOPmC

University of Florda’s Abdul Hakim Sani Brown advances to 100-meter final at NCAA championships

University of Florida sophomore sprinter Abdul Hakim Sani Brown posted a wind-assisted 9.96-second time in the men’s 100-meter preliminaries at the NCAA Division I Outdoor ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Z8mXnE

Raptors hit big shots, beat Warriors for 2-1 series lead

For every amazing shot in a career night by Stephen Curry on his home court, Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry and Danny Green kept finding dazzling ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2ZbLJTT

Champions League architect Lennart Johansson dies at 89

Lennart Johansson, who oversaw the introduction of the Champions League during a 17-year reign as president of European soccer’s governing body, has died. He was ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Wg7wI7

Japan comes up empty in scoreless draw with Trinidad and Tobago

Japan showed plenty of attacking energy but was foiled by Trinidad and Tobago ‘keeper Marvin Phillip in Wednesday’s scoreless draw.Although fans at Toyota Stadium were ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WpyeDa

Doc Emrick not slowing down in his dream job

The Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues’ morning skates are over and a handful of broadcasters have taken the ice to re-enact a play from ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2KudxyG

Warriors’ Kevin Durant out for Game 3 of NBA Finals

The Golden State Warriors will take the floor once more without two-time reigning NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant, counting on their depth and home court ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2IqAVue

Alfredo Despaigne homer helps Hawks put away Dragons

The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks made the most of having former ace Tsuyoshi Wada on the mound for the first time since 2017 in a 5-2 ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2HWA45t

NFL says eight social justice organizations getting grants

The NFL said eight social justice organizations are receiving grants totaling nearly $2 million.The grants are part of a $20 million commitment from the NFL ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2wAoTZQ

Rikako Ikee discharged from hospital in May amid leukemia fight

Swimming star Rikako Ikee, who revealed her leukemia diagnosis in February, was temporarily discharged from hospital, she said on her website on Wednesday.According to her ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XuObEG

Beach cleanup held at Olympic surfing venue

Surfers and students participated in a trash-picking event at the surfing venue of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Wednesday in a bid to raise awareness ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2HYbyBf

Stephen Strasburg earns 100th win as Nats rally past White Sox

Stephen Strasburg didn’t turn in a vintage performance. He still did enough — with plenty of help from the Washington Nationals’ offense — to reach ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2IxA8Ij

IAAF to fight Swiss court ruling on Caster Semenya

The IAAF said Tuesday it will fight a Swiss court decision to suspend its rules obliging athletes, including double Olympic champion Caster Semenya, to lower ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2HW2MmY

Amateur tourneys offer window to sport’s future stars

Asanoyama is sumo’s latest champion.The Takasago stable wrestler’s victory in the May tournament makes him the fourth rikishi to win a debut championship in the ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Iih4NS

Takefusa Kubo’s pathway to Europe coming into focus

I last wrote about FC Tokyo midfielder Takefusa Kubo in this column a little over three months ago, reflecting on his impressive performance against reigning ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2HXmMWw

Former swimming world champion James Magnussen retires

Two-time world swimming champion James Magnussen said Wednesday he is retiring after winning 15 medals for Australia at major international events over a 10-year career.The ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Mw6ubz

New Zealand Rugby boss Steve Tew joins post-World Cup exodus

Longtime New Zealand Rugby (NZR) chief executive Steve Tew announced Wednesday he will leave his role at the end of 2019, citing a need for ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WuuLU4

China to host ‘launchpad’ 2023 Asian Cup

Asia’s soccer chief Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa said Tuesday that China’s staging of the 2023 Asian Cup would serve as a “launchpad” for the ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WeY0VF

Fatigued Kei Nishikori comes up empty against Rafael Nadal in Paris

Playing two straight five-set matches ahead of his French Open quarterfinal against Rafael Nadal was certainly not the ideal preparation for Kei Nishikori.Already exhausted before ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WMdvc2

Rafael Nadal demolishes Kei Nishikori to set up semi-final showdown with Roger Federer

Rafael Nadal continued his march towards a record-extending 12th French Open title by steamrolling a sorry Kei Nishikori 6-1 6-1 6-3 to book his place ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XlrGBX

Johanna Konta conquers Sloane Stephens to reach French Open semis

Johanna Konta reached the French Open semifinals for the first time after beating last year’s runner-up Sloane Stephens 6-1, 6-4 on Tuesday.It was the 26th-seeded ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Z4nQxr

England not focused on revenge in upcoming Women’s World Cup match against Japan

Englands insists it will not be seeking revenge for its heartbreaking defeat to Japan at the last Women’s World Cup when the teams meet at ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2QJxLWp

BayStars’ Hikaru Ito sets tone for offense in triumph over Buffaloes

Hikaru Ito went 3-for-3 with a home run to lead the Yokohama BayStars to a 3-1 win over the Orix Buffaloes at the start of ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WBnHUT

FIFA members gather ahead of Gianni Infantino’s re-election

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is meeting his 211 voters one day ahead of his re-election for a new four-year term.Infantino is attending a series of ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2QJM0KX

Orioles select Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman with No. 1 pick

The Baltimore Orioles have selected Oregon State switch-hitting catcher Adley Rutschman with the No. 1 pick in the Major League Baseball draft.The announcement Monday night ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2EPPCWI

Dodgers’ Walker Buehler stifles Diamondbacks in 11-strikeout effort

Walker Buehler’s second time on the mound against the Arizona Diamondbacks this season went far better than the first.Buehler held the Diamondbacks to a run ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2HUapdP

Pioneering sailmaker Lowell ‘The Pope’ North dies at 89

Lowell North, a pioneering sailmaker who won an Olympic gold medal and four world championships in the venerable Star Class, has died. He was 89.North, ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2HW1jxj

Ryan O’Reilly scores pair as Blues even series 2-2

Just when the St. Louis Blues had the Boston Bruins on their heels and chasing the game, they gave up a goal and the roar ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WGLd2v

Roger Goodell reiterates desire to shorten NFL’s four-game preseason

Four preseason games remain too many for Roger Goodell.The NFL commissioner on Monday reiterated his stance of wanting to reduce the preseason schedule at a ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2QFRbLC

Russia officials say doping cover-up report is part of ‘information war’

Russian authorities said on Monday that they were victims of an “information war” following reports in British newspapers that sparked the investigation of high-jump world ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2IhQfJP

Qatar to host next two Club World Cups in preparation for 2022 World Cup

Qatar will host the next two editions of the Club World Cup in a major test of the Gulf nation’s preparedness to stage the World ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2HUgC9A

Andy Murray plans comeback from hip surgery at Queen’s Club

Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray is planning to return from hip surgery by competing in doubles at the Queen’s Club tournament this month.Murray hasn’t ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2InaTbA

Kawhi Leonard sues Nike over rights to his logo

Toronto star Kawhi Leonard filed a federal lawsuit against Nike on Monday, saying the footwear and apparel giant is blocking him from using a logo ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2HW0i8w

Novak Djokovic facing first test in Alexander Zverev at this year’s French Open

Novak Djokovic is into his record 10th consecutive French Open quarterfinal, something not even King of Clay Rafael Nadal has managed to do.And Djokovic is ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WHRDyE

Star players from around globe help NBA to stretch worldwide growth

The NBA Finals returned to the United States on Monday after the best-of-seven showdown’s first games were played in another nation, a sign of the ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2QMEgaT

Will Shoma Uno move to Eteri Tutberidze or Alexei Mishin after coach split?

Olympic and world silver medalist Shoma Uno announced on Monday that he was leaving longtime coaches Machiko Yamada and Mihoko Higuchi, who he has trained ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2QJN6Gc

Kei Nishikori faces daunting challenge against ‘King of Clay’

Robin Soderling. Novak Djokovic. Kei Nishikori?The native of Shimane Prefecture on Tuesday will attempt to join one of the most exclusive clubs in tennis: Players ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2MCueLg

Kei Nishikori outlasts Benoit Paire in two-day marathon, sets up quarterfinal clash with Rafael Nadal

No. 7 seed Kei Nishikori came back from 1-4 and 3-5 down in the final set to beat France’s Benoit Paire and set up a ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2QFYlj2

Jets star Yuki Togashi breaks ¥100 million barrier

Chiba Jets Funabashi star Yuki Togashi has become a “Million Dollar Man.”The diminutive point guard became the first Japanese player to earn an annual salary ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2JRIRId

Dominic Thiem blasts Serena Williams’ ‘bad personality’ in Roland Garros press conference row

Dominic Thiem has accused Serena Williams of having a “bad personality” as the bizarre row over him being booted out of his own press conference ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2KocuQI

Hideki Matsuyama ends Memorial in sixth as Sunday charge fails to materialize

Hideki Matsuyama failed in his quest for a first tournament victory in two years when he finished sixth at the Memorial Tournament on Sunday, eight ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/317NUd8

NSW slam sex tape ‘stitch-up’ ahead of Origin clash

A sex tape claiming to feature a New South Wales State of Origin player that went viral Monday was a “stitch-up” aimed at derailing their ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2QGEi4f

Japanese runners to get shot at Tokyo 2020 spot during MGC

Olympic marathon trials have always generated major interest among the Japanese public. But the attention will be even greater this year, thanks to the first-ever ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WaxGMg

Brave Blossoms call up 42 players to squad

Japan coach Jamie Joseph named 42 players Monday that will form the basis of the Brave Blossoms squad for this year’s Rugby World Cup.Led by ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2QLHtaQ

David Price finally solves Yankees as Red Sox win to stop skid

David Price picked an excellent time to erase his Boston zero in the Bronx.The left-hander finally won at Yankee Stadium for the first time with ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2JZjdl5

Japan hunts Olympic gold from beyond arc

With a small-ball approach, Japan’s women’s basketball team will try to achieve big things.The Akatsuki Five wrapped up its first games of the year with ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2W7BGxm

Warriors dig deep in Game 2 to even NBA Finals at 1-1

The Golden State Warriors relied on a champion’s heart to overcome their weary bodies.Klay Thompson scored 25 points before leaving with a hamstring injury, Stephen ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2JSHV6e

Mamiko Higa falls short as Jeongeun Lee6 rises to win U.S. Women’s Open

Six is certainly a magic number for U.S. Women’s Open champion Jeongeun Lee6.The 23-year-old South Korean won her first major title Sunday, the first $1 ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2MnHhjp

Stan Wawrinka wins 5-hour battle to set up quarterfinal meeting with Roger Federer

This is why Stan Wawrinka went through two operations on his left knee in the span of a month. Why he dealt with the rigors ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2MplOXo

Russia says it’s working with probe of doping forgery claims

The Russian track and field federation said Sunday it’s cooperating with an investigation into allegations its officials submitted forged paperwork in a doping case.British newspaper ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2QJXHkM

Japan relegated from World Rugby Sevens Series for 2020

Japan’s run as a core team in rugby sevens’ elite world tour came to an abrupt end on Sunday, when the team was relegated for ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2EMM9Iy

Indy Champ steals Almond Eye’s thunder in Yasuda Kinen

Four-year-old colt Indy Champ won its Grade 1 debut on Sunday in the Yasuda Kinen, where overwhelming favorite Almond Eye turned on the jets too ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WdYJGU

Swallows snap 16-game losing streak with win over BayStars

Keiji Obiki drove in three early runs with a two-out, bases-loaded double on Sunday afternoon as the Tokyo Yakult Swallows snapped a three-week losing streak ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2KkfWfb

Donald Trump says NBA great Jerry West to get Presidential Medal of Freedom

U.S. President Donald Trump says that Jerry West, the pro basketball great, will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.“The Great Jerry West will be receiving ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2EMtZqg

Japan sweeps Belgium; Saki Hayashi named series MVP

Japan’s women’s basketball team concluded a two-game exhibition series sweep of Belgium with a 84-71 win at Adastria Mito Arena on Sunday.Newcomer Saki Hayashi was ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2JTDlVm

Justin Verlander takes share of majors’ wins lead, shuts down A’s

Justin Verlander could hardly fathom his name being mentioned in the same breath as Cy Young.“Pretty cool, man,” the Astros ace right-hander said. Verlander struck ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2EOuSi8

Bruins rout Blues, take 2-1 lead

David Pastrnak flashed a wry smile, brimming with confidence.No even-strength points through the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final for the first line ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XnfQqS

Andy Ruiz Jr. TKO’s Anthony Joshua to claim heavyweight title

Andy Ruiz Jr. had six weeks to prepare for the fight of his life.He’ll have a lifetime to celebrate one of boxing’s biggest heavyweight stunners. ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2XkVVc9

Mamiko Higa one back going into final round of U.S. Women’s Open

Mamiko Higa dropped out of the lead with three bogeys on Saturday, and heads into the final round of the U.S. Women’s Open one shot ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2wu73rw

Liverpool claims European Cup for sixth time

No tears of pain this time, just redemption for Mohamed Salah.Only 108 seconds were needed to banish the Champions League final heartbreak of a year ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Z36VLA

No. 1 Naomi Osaka’s 16-match winning streak at Slams ends in Paris

This was one deficit too big to overcome for Naomi Osaka, whose Grand Slam winning streak is over.The No. 1-ranked Osaka couldn’t muster a comeback ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Z5pcIy

Former Arsenal, Sevilla midfielder José Antonio Reyes killed in traffic accident at 35

ormer Spain midfielder José Antonio Reyes, who won five Europa League titles and was part of Arsenal’s unbeaten “Invincibles” squad, has been killed in a ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Z4wOuS

Simona Halep races past Lesia Tsurenko to move into fourth round

A ruthlessly efficient Simona Halep marched into the fourth round of the French Open on Saturday, dropping just three games against Lesia Tsurenko.Halep, the defending ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2JPTfAb

Eagles climb into first place in Pacific League

Opening Day starter Takayuki Kishi allowed three runs over six innings to win his first game of the season for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2HSl7Sh

Tiger Woods says Hank Haney ‘deserved’ suspension for making disparaging comments about LPGA Tour

Swing coach Hank Haney has been suspended from the SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio channel for disparaging comments about the LPGA Tour, and Tiger Woods says ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2HQa8Zr

Sunwolves suffer lopsided loss to Brumbies in final home match of season

Connal McInerney scored a hat trick off the bench Saturday as the Brumbies overpowered Sunwolves 42-19 to boost their Super Rugby Finals chances.The bonus-point victory, ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2WibdlE

Takefusa Kubo steers FC Tokyo past Oita Trinita

If Saturday turns out to have been Takefusa Kubo’s last game for FC Tokyo, no one can accuse him of failing to make the most ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2MmLdRi

NBA fines Clippers $50,000 for Doc Rivers’ comments about Kawhi Leonard

The NBA fined the Los Angeles Clippers $50,000 on Friday for violating the league’s anti-tampering rule.The league did not specifically say what comments were determined ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2Ic3DiA

2020 torch relay to pass historic sites

The organizing committee of the 2020 Games said Saturday the Tokyo Olympics’ torch relay will pass through major Japanese landmarks, including World Heritage sites and ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2KkjaPN

Rikako Ikee resumes light exercise while battling leukemia

Teenage swimming star Rikako Ikee has resumed light exercise while she continues to battle leukemia, her coach said Saturday.The 18-year-old Ikee, who revealed her diagnosis ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/30YTNJg

Dodgers’ Kenta Maeda improves to 7-2

Kenta Maeda allowed two runs over six innings for the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday.Maeda (7-2) scattered ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2KkvzUa

Hornets star Kemba Walker says Rui Hachimura will be ‘a big name in the NBA’

While Rui Hachimura’s immediate future in the NBA will be determined later this month, one established superstar believes the young forward will fit right in.Speaking ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2W1t0bD

Mamiko Higa clings to U.S. Open Women’s lead after delay

GolfMamiko Higa said she wasn’t nervous holding the first-round lead at the U.S. Women’s Open. Now, she’s given her nerves a much bigger test after ...

from Sports – The Japan Times http://bit.ly/2EMg7fU