Tigers win sixth straight to leapfrog Carp for Climax Series spot

The Hanshin Tigers beat the Chunichi Dragons 3-0 on Monday in their final regular-season game to edge the Hiroshima Carp out of third place in ...

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RWC to push through with France-U.S. game despite typhoon concerns

The Rugby World Cup Pool C clash between France and the United States will be held as scheduled despite an earlier announcement that an approaching ...

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Scotland gets first win of World Cup as Samoa’s Ed Fidow sent off

Scotland got two penalty tries and Samoa winger Ed Fidow got a red card for giving away both of them in a pressure-relieving 34-0 win ...

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Leave the refs alone, says All Blacks coach Steve Hansen

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has appealed to rival coaches and pundits to lay off referees at the Rugby World Cup as match officials continue ...

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Russian anti-doping CEO ‘betrayed’ by data tampering

The CEO of the Russian anti-doping agency said Monday he feels “betrayed” after evidence emerged that crucial doping data was tampered with.Russian authorities handed over ...

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Ritsu Doan scores debut goal in PSV’s rout of Zwolle

Midfielder Ritsu Doan came off the bench in the second half to score his first goal for PSV Eindhoven in Sunday’s 4-0 thrashing of PEC ...

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Milan Macvan, Alex Kirk lead Alvark Tokyo to FIBA Asia Champions Cup title

Entering the 2019-20 season, the Alvark Tokyo recalibrated their roster in order to set off on an ambitious quest for a third consecutive B. League ...

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England’s Joe Marler calls out press for violating Japan’s bathing protocol

England’s Joe Marler put on a clinic in the art of international diplomacy at the Rugby World Cup on Monday, laying down the law on ...

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Levanga’s 49-year-old veteran Takehiko Orimo to call it a career

Takehiko Orimo, who at 49 years of age is the oldest basketball player in the B. League, will retire at the end of the 2019-2020 ...

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Australia completes 2020 Olympic softball field

Australia became the sixth and final team to earn a berth in next year’s Olympic softball tournament, beating China 9-3 Sunday at Shanghai to finish ...

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Uruguay’s upset of Fiji boosts interest in rugby at home

Uruguay notched its biggest win at the Rugby World Cup with an opening-game upset of Fiji in Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture on Wednesday, a result that ...

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Giants star Shinnosuke Abe bows out as one of NPB’s great catchers

For nearly 20 years Shinnosuke Abe’s go-to phrase during hero interviews, following some heroic feat on the baseball diamond, has been “saikō desu” (the best). ...

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Chiefs score late to beat Lions, remain undefeated

Patrick Mahomes made more plays than usual with his legs because the Detroit Lions set up their defense to limit what the superstar quarterback could ...

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Manager Joe Maddon won’t be back with Cubs next season

From the moment Joe Maddon joined the Chicago Cubs, taking the reins in a Wrigleyville bar five years ago, he talked about winning.He was the ...

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Cardinals clinch NL Central title

Jack Flaherty, Paul Goldschmidt and the St. Louis Cardinals quickly drained any drama from a final-day playoff chase.They were totally fine with that. The Cardinals ...

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JRFU, Jamie Joseph discussing new deal

The Japan Rugby Football Union has started negotiations over a contract extension for Brave Blossoms head coach Jamie Joseph as Rugby World Cup fever sweeps ...

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Wales hopes to keep putting best foot forward at RWC

Wales super-sub Rhys Patchell hailed his team’s kicking prowess after beating Australia on Sunday, claiming “tries don’t win World Cups.”The Welsh held off a fierce ...

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Rugby superfan ‘Bak-san’ becomes World Cup sensation with body-painted jerseys

Step aside Beauden Barrett, Owen Farrell and Siya Kolisi — the real MVP of the 2019 Rugby World Cup so far is “Bak-san.”Japan’s scantily clad ...

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Typhoon could alter schedule for France-U.S. clash in Kyushu

Rugby World Cup organizers announced Sunday that an approaching typhoon might force changes to the schedule for Wednesday’s Pool C match between France and the ...

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FC Tokyo fails to expand league lead after away draw at Matsumoto

FC Tokyo remained winless for a second straight round on Sunday, clinging to their J. League first-division lead with a 0-0 draw at Matsumoto Yamaga.With ...

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Japanese fans celebrate Brave Blossoms’ historic victory over Ireland at Rugby World Cup

Japanese fans celebrated their team’s stunning upset of Ireland at the Rugby World Cup with everyone from the prime minister to rivals paying tribute to ...

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Tower of London wins 1st G1 title at Sprinters Stakes

Second-favorite Tower of London won his first Grade 1 title after darting past the pack at Nakayama Racecourse on Sunday to claim the Sprinters Stakes ...

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Naomi Osaka gets by Pegula to advance in China

Naomi Osaka endured a challenge from Jessica Pegula of the United States in the first round of the China Open on Sunday to keep her ...

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Tigers keep playoff bid alive with fifth-straight win

The Hanshin Tigers moved within one win of the postseason with a 6-3 Central League win over the Chunichi Dragons on Sunday.If the Tigers beat ...

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Wales holds off Australia comeback attempt to take control of Pool D in Rugby World Cup

Wales withstood a furious second-half fightback from Australia to seize control of Pool D at the Rugby World Cup with a 29-25 victory on Sunday.Tries ...

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Nationals win right to host wild-card game

The Washington Nationals’ surge started after they brought aboard Gerardo Parra, whose dugout dancing and “Baby Shark” walk-up music became the trademarks of the club’s ...

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Georgia outmuscles Uruguay in Pool D rout

Los Teros pulled off a historic upset of Fiji in their opening game of the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Doing it again in their second ...

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Yusuke Suzuki grabs race walk title, Olympic spot at world championships

Yusuke Suzuki captured Japan’s first race walk world title and secured a spot at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after winning gold in the men’s 50-km ...

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Japan lock Luke Thompson making impact as oldest player at Rugby World Cup

You couldn’t pick out the oldest player at this Rugby World Cup as Japan was bringing Ireland back to earth on Saturday.He was out there, ...

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Springboks coach keeping eye on Japan with ‘scary’ quarterfinal clash possible

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus arrived later than he normally does for his team’s pregame warmup in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture. Turns out he couldn’t take his ...

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Brave Blossoms savor victory over Ireland, immediately shift focus to next match

Japan regular captain Michael Leitch hailed his team’s momentous Rugby World Cup win over Ireland on Saturday as a “massive step” toward a first-ever place ...

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Georgia coach Milton Haig reminds his players of Uruguay’s progress

While the rest of the rugby world was in shock at Uruguay’s surprise victory over Fiji earlier this week, Milton Haig was not at all ...

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South Africa overpowers Namibia in Pool B rout

South Africa’s electric wing Makazole Mapimpi scored two tries as the Springboks eased to a nine-try 57-3 win over neighbor Namibia, but it was a ...

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Serginho secures point for title-chasing Antlers against Consadole

Ten days after their bid for back-to-back Asian titles came crashing down, the Kashima Antlers were spared another disappointing result on Saturday when Serginho’s 50th-minute ...

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Shocked Ireland fans praise Japan after unexpected loss

Fervent Ireland rugby fans were in shock on Saturday but also praised Rugby World Cup host Japan for a stunning 19-12 win over their team, ...

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All Blacks don’t have secret plans, trying to build through RWC, Ian Foster insists

The All Blacks do not possess “plans C, D and E” to continue their global domination and would rather just make sure they execute Plans ...

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Tigers keeps postseason hopes alive by beating BayStars

Yuki Nishi worked five innings, and four relievers completed a nine-hit shutout in the Hanshin Tigers’ 7-0 victory over the Yokohama BayStars on Saturday.The Tigers ...

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Asian Football Confederation to launch women’s club competition

The Asian Football Confederation confirmed on Friday a pilot competition to crown a women’s club champion.The AFC said a four-team event with the champions of ...

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Longtime judo coach Hiroshi Nakamura to be inducted into Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame

As a young man, Hiroshi Nakamura left Japan and settled in Canada.That decision had a profound impact on his life and the future of Canadian ...

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Stunner in Shizuoka — Japan beats No. 2-ranked Ireland 19-12 in second Pool A game of 2019 Rugby World Cup

In a stunning performance, Japan shocked Ireland 19-12 at the Rugby World Cup on Saturday.

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Rays back in playoffs as wild card

Last year, 90 wins wasn’t enough for the Tampa Bay Rays.This year, 96 proved to be the number the Rays needed to reach the postseason. ...

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Julian Montoya leads Argentina past Tonga

Argentina hooker Julian Montoya scored a rapid first-half hat trick as the Pumas beat Tonga 28-12 on Saturday to revive their bid for a Rugby ...

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Scotland changes entire back row for showdown with Samoa

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has changed his entire back row for Monday’s Rugby World Cup match against Samoa, as his injury-hit team seeks to bounce ...

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Receiver Antonio Brown plans grievances against Raiders, Patriots

The Oakland Raiders may be done with Antonio Brown, but it appears he is not yet done with them.ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Friday that Brown ...

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Ruth Chepngetich beats heat, wins midnight marathon at world championships

Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich overcame extreme heat and humidity to win the IAAF World Athletics Championships midnight marathon on Friday, in a grueling test of survival ...

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Magic Johnson’s 1992 Barcelona Olympic jersey up for bid

Magic Johnson’s game-worn jersey from the 1992 Barcelona Olympics is up for bid in an auction that ends this weekend.Johnson was part of the Dream ...

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Daigo Higa to have license reinstated after weigh-in blunder: sources

Daigo Higa will have his suspension lifted by the Japan Boxing Commission after he had to forfeit his WBC flyweight belt for failing a weigh-in ...

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Takanofuji calls punishment for out-of-ring violence ‘too heavy’

Second-tier juryo division wrestler Takanofuji, who is facing disciplinary action for hitting a lower-ranked wrestler in the forehead, said Friday after issuing an apology that ...

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Former star closer Shingo Takatsu to manage Swallows, source says

Former major league pitcher Shingo Takatsu will manage the Tokyo Yakult Swallows next season, and a team source said Thursday an official announcement could be ...

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Shinnosuke Abe says goodbye to Giants fans on a winning note

Everyone at Tokyo Dome knew what Yomiuri Giants public address announcer Daisuke Takahashi was going say. They just needed to hear him say it one ...

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Uruguay in unfamiliar territory chasing back-to-back wins

Juan Manuel Gaminara had the Uruguay flag draped over his shoulders and struggled to hold back tears as he described how proud he was of ...

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Turning pressure into points key against top teams, Tonga assistant Grant Doorey says

Intensity and bravery can only take the lower-tier nations so far against rugby’s elite sides and the key to running them close is to turn ...

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U.S. flanker John Quill receives three-match ban for high tackle against England

Flanker John Quill has been banned for three matches and will likely miss the rest of the United States’ World Cup campaign after he was ...

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Springboks’ Schalk Brits saves best for last in rugby career

Schalk Brits was late for the pre-match news conference, leading to a chuckle from South Africa assistant coach Mzwandile Stick.Stick had already answered a couple ...

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Australia turns clock back to 2015 Rugby World Cup for Wales encounter

In dropping Christian Leali’ifano, Kurtley Beale, and Nic White from the starting lineup to play Wales, Australia coach Michael Cheika said the moves were planned ...

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LIVEBLOG: 2019 Rugby World Cup — Japan vs Ireland

Follow the action of the next match of the 2019 Rugby World Gup: Japan vs Ireland, at Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa.

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Double collisions, action in Japan game plan for Ireland

Double will be the key word if Japan is to pull off an upset Saturday to match the Brighton Miracle.For if the Brave Blossoms are ...

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Eagles down Packers in real battle

Nigel Bradham picked off Aaron Rodgers’ pass in the end zone with 20 seconds left, Jordan Howard gashed Green Bay for his second career three-touchdown ...

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Wizards GM Tommy Sheppard eyes ‘development,’ not win total

For years, the Washington Wizards would head into a season with proclamations from players or management or ownership — if not all three — about ...

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Teary-eyed Felix Hernandez bids farewell to Seattle

When the time finally arrived for Felix Hernandez to say goodbye to Seattle and all the history of 15 seasons with one franchise, his manager ...

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Ex-middleweight world champion Nigel Benn, 55, returning to ring for one-off fight

Former middleweight boxing champion Nigel Benn is returning to the ring at the age of 55 for a one-off fight, saying he wants “closure” on ...

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Eagles coach Gary Gold wants U.S. to follow Japan’s path for RWC

U.S. head coach Gary Gold said hosting the Rugby World Cup put Japanese rugby on the map, and hopes the United States will have the ...

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Canadiens great Guy Lafleur undergoes quadruple bypass surgery

Montreal Canadiens Hall of Famer Guy Lafleur underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery on Thursday, the NHL club has confirmed.The Canadiens said the procedure took place ...

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Over 530,000 applications received from torchbearer-hopefuls for the Tokyo 2020 relay

The organizing committee for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics said Thursday it received a total of 535,717 applications from people hoping to be torchbearers ...

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England trounces U.S., improves to 2-0 at Rugby World Cup

England’s players got the job done with a solid 45-7 bonus-point victory over the United States at the Rugby World Cup on Thursday against a ...

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Eagles whip Lions in teams’ final regular-season game

Takahiro Norimoto allowed one hit over five innings for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in a 7-1 thrashing of the Pacific League champion Seibu Lions ...

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Banned Wallabies wing Reece Hodge says he wasn’t trained on tackle protocol at RWC

Australia wing Reece Hodge revealed he hadn’t been trained on World Rugby’s new protocol for policing high tackles as he was suspended at the Rugby ...

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All Blacks coach Steve Hansen serves as police chief for day in Beppu

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen on Thursday served as a one-day honorary chief of a police station in Beppu, where his team is training in ...

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Argentina shifts focus to Tonga after disappointing defeat to France

Argentina has done the self-criticism following an agonizing opening defeat, and has to deliver against Tonga in their must-win Rugby World Cup match on Saturday.Coach ...

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Ex-Toyota Verblitz player Ryota Kabashima receives suspended sentence for cocaine possession

Former Toyota Verblitz flyhalf Ryota Kabashima was given a suspended prison term Thursday for possessing cocaine.The Okazaki branch of the Nagoya District Court sentenced the ...

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Italy runs roughshod over Canada for second bonus-point win at Rugby World Cup

Italy ran amok against Canada to bag its second bonus-point win in as many games with a 48-7 Rugby World Cup victory in Fukuoka Thursday.It ...

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Kamaishi saluted by fans, players for its resilience

High school student Yukime Sasaki and two other young girls were all beaming smiles to greet hundreds of visitors who stopped by on Wednesday afternoon ...

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Olympic champion Rafaela Silva loses Pan Am Games gold for doping

Olympic judo champion Rafaela Silva of Brazil was stripped of her Pan American Games gold medal on Wednesday after failing a doping test.Silva was the ...

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Twins clinch first AL Central title since 2010

On this night, the stars were Randy Dobnak, Luis Arraez and Eddie Rosario — but really it could have been anyone.The Minnesota Twins are AL ...

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Melvin Gordon set to end holdout, report to Chargers this week

Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon is ending his holdout and will report to the team Thursday, multiple outlets reported Wednesday.According to NFL Network’s ...

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Kiwis bristle as haka draws flak

One of rugby’s perennial controversies has reared its head at this year’s World Cup in Japan — does performing the haka give the All Blacks ...

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Amanaki Mafi replaces captain Michael Leitch in Japan’s starting lineup for Ireland clash

Japan on Thursday left captain Michael Leitch out of its starting team for Saturday’s clash with Pool A favorite Ireland as a fit-again Amanaki Mafi ...

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Samoa tested by injury, discipline issues

Samoa could lose four front-line players for the game against Scotland at the Rugby World Cup, the first of three tough tests remaining in its ...

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Key names playing in new locales

Every top-flight team has signed new players and tweaked their rosters for the upcoming season, the B. League’s fourth campaign.It’ll take some time to get ...

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Team Canada creates online buzz with outing in yukata

A video clip showing Canada rugby team members wearing yukata (casual kimono) and geta traditional wooden sandals in a Rugby World Cup official Twitter post ...

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Flames sign Matthew Tkachuk to three-year deal

The Calgary Flames have signed forward Matthew Tkachuk to a three-year, $21 million deal.The deal carrying an annual average value of $7 million makes him ...

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Backstreet Boys light Japan’s fire at Rugby World Cup

Japan’s rugby team is looking to an unusual source for inspiration as the World Cup host chases a historic quarterfinal spot — the Backstreet Boys.Asked ...

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Giants veteran Shinnosuke Abe announces retirement

Yomiuri Giants catcher Shinnosuke Abe made his retirement official on Wednesday, saying he felt ready to step away from the game after he ticked enough ...

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Australia’s Reece Hodge handed three-game suspension, to miss rest of Rugby World Cup pool stage

Winger Reece Hodge will miss Australia’s three remaining pool matches at the Rugby World Cup after he was suspended on Wednesday for a dangerous high ...

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Japan exploring all options ahead of match against Ireland

Japan coach Jamie Joseph has spent the week trying to work out how to get four into three in the back row as he finalizes ...

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Australia’s Kurtley Beale can’t wait to face Wales again

Kurtley Beale loves playing Wales.“They bring out the best of you,” he says. He’s not wrong.Beale can’t wait to be in the backfield when Australia ...

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Novak Djokovic expects to play in Tokyo

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who was forced out of the U.S. Open with a shoulder injury, is back in training and will play in ...

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Dragons crush Swallows

Four pitchers combined on a five-hit shutout on Wednesday for the Chunichi Dragons in a 12-0 Central League win over the Tokyo Yakult Swallows.Kodai Umetsu ...

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Bowing to fans becomes new trend for teams at Rugby World Cup

Teams competing at the Rugby World Cup in Japan have taken up a new tradition of bowing to spectators after matches to express their appreciation, ...

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Uruguay upsets Fiji as tsunami-hit Kamaishi hosts first Rugby World Cup match

Wednesday may have been a little breezy, but overall it was an absolutely beautiful day with a vivid blue sky above as Kamaishi Unosumai Recovery ...

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Pressure increases on refs

Japan assistant coach Tony Brown weighed in on the latest referee controversy Wednesday when he asked reporters at the Brave Blossoms hotel if they had ...

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RWC scores try with Japanese soccer media

Last weekend saw packed crowds take over Ajinomoto Stadium and Nissan Stadium, two of the J. League’s biggest venues, for pageantry-filled days of sport.That sport, ...

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Eddie Jones says players newly selected for England should put team first

England coach Eddie Jones has warned his new-look side against putting personal ambitions ahead of team success when it faces the United States in the ...

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Injuries continue to impact sumo landscape

Sumo fans continue to be spoiled, with September serving up yet another incredible and dramatic tournament.What seemed early on like a Kakuryu procession to a ...

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MLS lifts ban on anti-Nazi symbol following fan protests

Major League Soccer is lifting its ban on signs and banners featuring an anti-Nazi symbol for the remainder of the season and the playoffs.A handful ...

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Qatar preps for major test

Qatar is preparing to welcome thousands of fans and competitors for the World Athletics Championships starting Friday, an event seen as a staging post toward ...

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Shohei Ohtani vows to come back stronger after knee surgery

Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani showed how to handle an injury setback with grace Tuesday, saying he will benefit from his regret as ...

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Nats sweep Phillies, reach playoffs

Trea Turner’s go-ahead grand slam in the sixth inning lifted Washington to a 6-5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies for a doubleheader sweep Tuesday that ...

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Tottenham stunned by fourth-tier Colchester in League Cup

Tottenham’s disappointing start to the season hit a new low as it suffered an embarrassing League Cup third-round defeat on penalties at fourth-tier Colchester on ...

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Winger Ed Fidow ignites Samoa in bruising encounter with Russia

Marauding winger Ed Fidow bagged a quickfire double as Samoa beat Russia 34-9 in a bruising Rugby World Cup encounter on Tuesday.Fidow provided the spark ...

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World Rugby issues rare rebuke of referees at Rugby World Cup

World Rugby issued a rare criticism of refereeing standards at the Rugby World Cup on Tuesday after a number of controversies in the tournament’s opening ...

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Lions repeat as Pacific League champions

The Seibu Lions lost their best pitcher and one of their best hitters off last year’s Pacific League title winner.As for the PL pennant, they’re ...

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Naomi Osaka raised spectators’ spirits, pleased organizers at Pan Pacific Open

It was a potential nightmare for fans, tournament organizers and even the players.Hours after the start of a rain delay Friday afternoon, the wet weather ...

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Springboks now taking tough road at Rugby World Cup

It’s not time to panic, or even press the “reset button,” according to Springboks lock Lood de Jager.The Rugby World Cup has got a fair ...

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Johnny Sexton skips Ireland training ahead of Japan match

Johnny Sexton sat out training Tuesday ahead of Ireland’s second Pool A match against tournament host Japan in Shizuoka on Saturday.“That wouldn’t be unusual for ...

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Fiji coach John McKee responds to Australia boss Michael Cheika’s accusations

A day after Michael Cheika accused him of being two-faced, Fiji coach John McKee claimed not to know what his Australian counterpart meant.After their Rugby ...

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France’s players angry about scrum refereeing at Rugby World Cup

France’s players are fuming over the refereeing during their last-gasp win over Argentina in their Pool C opener at the Rugby World Cup.Les Bleus won ...

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Brave Blossoms’ Ryohei Yamanaka relishing opportunity to play on global stage

Ryohei Yamanaka’s first experience of World Cup rugby may have come eight years after he had initially hoped, but the 31-year-old back is relishing every ...

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Anthony Alford slugs walk-off homer in 15th inning to lead Blue Jays past Orioles

Anthony Alford hit a game-ending drive in the 15th inning for his first career homer, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles 11-10 ...

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Russia fears missing Olympics over doping data tampering

Russia’s doping troubles are nowhere near over. After a head-snapping day of developments from Moscow to Tokyo to the Middle East, the country has new ...

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Italy opts to rest captain Sergio Parisse against Canada

Italy announced 10 changes on Monday for its Rugby World Cup match against Canada and rested talismanic captain Sergio Parisse, with an eye on sterner ...

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Tonga’s Kurt Morath, Nafi Tuitavake to miss remainder of RWC due to injuries

Tonga has lost the services of flyhalf Kurt Morath and center Nafi Tuitavake for the remainder of the Rugby World Cup after they were injured ...

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Bears’ no-huddle offense dominates in rout of Redskins

After the Chicago Bears’ offense was slow to get going this season, Mitchell Trubisky was excited to speed things up.Trubisky and the Bears used a ...

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U.S. stays humble after ’15 Donald Trumps’ quip

It was meant to be a compliment in Eddie Jones’ famously impertinent style, only it didn’t really work out that way.The England coach’s quip that ...

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Wales moves on without departed assistant coach Rob Howley

Warren Gatland said Wales has “moved on” from the Rob Howley controversy and is only looking to the future as it prepares for a crucial ...

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Andre Emmett, former Texas Tech star and NBA player, shot to death

Former Texas Tech basketball standout Andre Emmett, the team’s all-time leading scorer, was shot to death early Monday near his home in Dallas.Emmett, 37, was ...

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Giants star Shinnosuke Abe to retire after season, sources say

Yomiuri Giants catcher Shinnosuke Abe will draw the curtain on his professional baseball career after 19 seasons with the Central League club, informed sources said ...

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Lionel Messi, Megan Rapinoe earn top FIFA awards

Lionel Messi won his sixth FIFA player of the year award, while Megan Rapinoe won her first at a lavish ceremony at Milan’s iconic Teatro ...

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Satoko Miyahara’s move to Toronto the right decision at this stage of her career

Coming off a disappointing season, Satoko Miyahara is looking to get back on the right track.The four-time national champion got off to a good start ...

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Wales overwhelms Georgia with 6 tries but struggles in second half

Wales opened its Rugby World Cup campaign by beating Georgia 43-14 on Monday in a contest which became much more even in the second half.“It ...

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Ernesto Mejia moves Lions past Eagles again

Ernesto Mejia once more had the last word against the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles on Monday, his three-run double lifting Seibu to a 5-3 win ...

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Russia asked to explain alleged doping data tampering, fears Olympic ban

The World Anti-Doping Agency is giving Russia three weeks to explain possible signs of tampering with data from its doping laboratory, an accusation which Russian ...

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Fiji plans to pause briefly, then turn it on against Uruguay

The Fijian players will pause in silence before their Rugby World Cup game against Uruguay to commemorate those who died in the 2011 tsunami that ...

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Plenty for Brave Blossoms coach Jamie Joseph to ponder ahead of Irish clash

On the day Rugby World Cup organizers opted to change their policy and allow fans to bring their own lunches and dinners to games, there ...

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Newly minted teenager Tamai becomes Japan’s youngest national diving champion

First-year junior high school student Rikuto Tamai became Japan’s youngest national diving champion on Monday, the final day of the national championships.Tamai, who turned 13 ...

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Takakeisho’s ozeki return spoiled by chest injury

Sekiwake Takakeisho’s star-crossed journey to sumo’s second-highest rank continued on Monday, when he was diagnosed with a chest muscle strain, his stablemaster said.According to stablemaster ...

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Toyota Stadium removes name sign for Rugby World Cup sponsor

A stadium hosting games for the Rugby World Cup in the central Aichi Prefecture city of Toyota has removed its name sign in consideration of ...

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Massimo Ficcadenti to replace ousted Yahiro Kazama at Grampus

J. League first-division side Nagoya Grampus said Monday that head coach Yahiro Kazama has been dismissed and Italian trainer Massimo Ficcadenti will be his successor.The ...

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Savea stakes early claim to star status at RWC

All Blacks backrower Ardie Savea is among the players whose performances on the opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup put them among the leaders ...

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World Cup lifts stadium food ban after long lines spur complaints

The 2019 Rugby World Cup organizing committee announced on Monday that it has modified its in-venue food policy amid a shortage of provisions at stadium ...

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Russia’s confidence to be tested in Samoa match after loss in opener

Russia’s confidence will be tested in its second Pool A match against Samoa on Tuesday after suffering a shattering 30-10 loss to host Japan in ...

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Scotland’s Hamish Watson ruled out of World Cup with knee injury

Scotland suffered a major blow on Monday when key flanker Hamish Watson was ruled out of the Rugby World Cup with a knee injury.The 27-year-old, ...

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Cardinals get past Yu Darvish, Cubs to clinch playoff berth

Paul Goldschmidt and the St. Louis Cardinals celebrated the franchise’s first postseason berth in four years with a champagne toast in the visitor’s clubhouse.It was ...

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Mitakeumi celebrates latest title, vows to aim for ozeki

Sekiwake Mitakeumi expressed his joy on Monday after winning his second top-division championship the previous night in a dramatic conclusion to the Autumn Grand Sumo ...

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Australians upset after Fiji lodges complaint over tackle by Reece Hodge

Australia coach Michael Cheika accused Fiji of going behind his back on Monday after the Fijians referred Wallabies wing Reece Hodge for disciplinary action over ...

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Foreign-born players uniting Brave Blossoms at Rugby World Cup

Weak rules over eligibility to play for a country is one of the characteristics of rugby, and the Japan team is no exception in capitalizing ...

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Patrick Mahomes wins QB duel as Chiefs hold off Ravens

The Kansas City Chiefs rolled into Arrowhead Stadium to play the red-hot Baltimore Ravens without their best wide receiver, their lead running back and their ...

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England coach Eddie Jones gets special feeling from being in World Cup hosted by Japan

For England coach Eddie Jones, leading a team at a World Cup in Japan is “very special.”Buoyed by his side’s 35-3 win against Pool C ...

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All Blacks eye Canada next after getting past South Africa

All Blacks hooker Dane Coles paused. Their next Rugby World Cup opponent was, um … Canada?Yes. “One game at a time,” Coles said with a ...

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‘Fairy Japan’ wins first group world championship gold

Japan won its first group world championship in rhythmic gymnastics on Sunday, capturing the group five balls competition along with a silver in three hoops ...

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England easily dispatches tryless Tonga

Manu Tuilagi scored two tries and captain Owen Farrell added 15 points on three conversions and another three penalty goals, leading England to a 35-3 ...

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Hawks narrow gap on PL-leading Lions

Yuki Yanagita and Yurisbel Gracial each drove in a pair of runs as the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks closed to within one game of the Pacific ...

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Ireland wary of Japan threat after manhandling Scotland

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt dismissed suggestions his players can take it easy after starting their Rugby World Cup campaign with a resounding win over ...

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World Cup head injury rules tweaked after All Blacks protest

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has welcomed a tweak to the head injury assessment rules after flanker Sam Cane missed the second half against South ...

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FIFA boss Gianni Infantino says Iran has assured that women can attend qualifier

FIFA President Gianni Infantino says soccer’s governing body has been “assured” that Iran will lift its 40-year ban and allow women to attend a World ...

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Rugby fans voice safety concerns over Sapporo Dome bottlenecks

While spectators at Sapporo Dome witnessed an entertaining Rugby World Cup Pool D opener between Australia and Fiji on Saturday, a number expressed concerns about ...

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British Open champ Hinako Shibuno overcomes record deficit in win

Hinako Shibuno, who this summer became the second Japanese golfer to capture an overseas major tournament, matched a Japan LPGA tour record by overcoming an ...

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Sumo 101: Restaurants run by former rikishi

Sumo stable life is communal.Rikishi take care of all of their own cooking and cleaning, and because they consume so much food the former is ...

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Ireland crushes Scotland in early show of force

World No. 1-ranked Ireland announced itself in dominant style at the 2019 Rugby World Cup with a bruising 27-3 win over Scotland on Sunday.Ireland, which ...

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Mitakeumi beats Takakeisho in playoff to earn second title

Mitakeumi defeated fellow sekiwake Takakeisho in a dramatic playoff on Sunday to win the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament and claim his second top-division championship while ...

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Wales looks to put past behind as it faces Georgia

Wales will look to put its rollercoaster start to the Rugby World Cup behind it Monday when it take on Georgia in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture.From ...

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Italy too much for Namibia

Sergio Parisse started his fifth Rugby World Cup by guiding Italy to a 47-22 win over Namibia on Sunday, and going oh-so-close to celebrating the ...

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‘Fairy Japan’ claims first world rhythmic gymnastic silver in 44 years

Japan finished runner-up in the group all-around competition at the rhythmic gymnastics world championships in Baku on Saturday to match the country’s best result and ...

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Takuma Sato extends contract with Rahal as Colton Herta joins Andretti

Takuma Sato will return to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing next season and Colton Herta was pulled inside the Andretti Autosport camp as IndyCar drivers are ...

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Naomi Osaka cruises to victory in Pan Pacific Open final to capture first title on Japanese soil

Naomi Osaka won her first singles title since the Australian Open in January by beating Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2, 6-3 in the Toray Pan Pacific ...

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Brewers improve position in race

Brent Suter has turned out to be the wild card in the wild card chase for the Milwaukee Brewers.Rookies Keston Hiura and Trent Grisham each ...

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New Zealand players bow in show of respect to Japanese supporters

The victorious New Zealand players made sure to take a Japanese-style bow to every corner of International Stadium Yokohama on Saturday “to show a bit ...

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France center Wesley Fofana ruled out of Rugby World Cup

France center Wesley Fofana has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup because of a thigh injury.Fofana sustained the injury in a warmup win ...

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All Blacks look ahead after beating Springboks in first-round clash of titans

Two-time defending champion New Zealand began its 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign with a statement win over South Africa on Saturday night, but head coach ...

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All Blacks deliver clear message with methodical victory over Springboks

Two-time defending Rugby World Cup champion New Zealand sent an ominous warning to its 2019 title rivals with a 23-13 win over much-fancied South Africa ...

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Giants capture first Central League pennant since 2014

The return to the top is complete.The Yomiuri Giants are Central League champions once again. Daiki Masuda hit a two-out RBI single up the middle ...

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France escapes with narrow victory over Argentina

Three-time Rugby World Cup runner-up France managed to get off to a winning start in the tournament’s 2019 edition with a nail-biting, 23-21 victory over ...

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Tonga poses more than just a physical threat, says England flanker Sam Underhill

Much of the conversation around England’s Rugby World Cup opener has centered around how it will deal with Tonga’s physical threat, but flanker Sam Underhill ...

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Grampus boss Yahiro Kazama to resign: sources

Yahiro Kazama will step down as manager of relegation-threatened Nagoya Grampus, sources said late Friday evening.The 57-year-old Kazama had been in charge of the J. ...

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Naomi Osaka advances to Pan Pacific Open final

Naomi Osaka beat Elise Mertens of Belgium on Saturday to reach the final of the Pan Pacific Open, thrilling her Japanese fans in the city ...

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All Blacks and Springboks supporters soak up Japanese culture

New Zealand and South Africa fans got the party started early outside International Stadium Yokohama on Saturday afternoon, as two of rugby’s traditional heavyweights prepared ...

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Trio tied for lead entering final day

Three wrestlers head into the final day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament tied for the lead, with sekiwake duo Takakeisho and Mitakeumi winning on ...

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Sumo 101: Championship scores

One of the side effects of having Hakuho, the greatest rikishi of all time, succeed another legend in Asashoryu at the top of the sumo ...

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Australia staves off upset bid by Fiji

Hooker Tolu Latu scored two tries in the second half to help Australia escape a historic upset by Fiji and win 39-21 on Saturday in ...

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Georgia hopes strong unity is enough to conquer Wales

Georgia will be banking on a unity forged in France to trouble Wales when they meet in the Rugby World Cup on Monday in Toyota, ...

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Kaho Minagawa secures Japan’s lone Olympic berth for rhythmic gymnastics

Kaho Minagawa on Friday secured Japan one of the 21 Tokyo Olympic berths up for grabs at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships.The top 16 individuals ...

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Braves clinch NL East again

Freddie Freeman didn’t care that his eyes kept tearing up from all the beer and champagne soakings.It seemed like every teammate stopped by to blast ...

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Patriots cut Antonio Brown after another accusation of sexual misconduct

Antonio Brown was released by the New England Patriots on Friday after a second woman accused him of sexual misconduct. New England is the third ...

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Kei Nishikori to skip Rakuten Japan Open due to elbow, arm injury

Kei Nishikori announced Saturday that he will skip the upcoming Rakuten Japan Open and Shanghai Masters due to pain in his right arm and elbow.“I ...

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Italy’s Parisse prepares for historic fifth World Cup

When Italy’s Sergio Parisse runs out against Namibia on Sunday, he will join a very select band to have played five Rugby World Cups and ...

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Yamaguchi pitches Giants past BayStars

Shun Yamaguchi pitched into the seventh inning at his old stomping grounds as the Yomiuri Giants beat the DeNA BayStars 9-4 to lower their magic ...

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Matsushima thinks Brave Blossoms will be poised for Ireland match

Hat-trick hero Kotaro Matsushima is backing Japan to shake off its Rugby World Cup stage fright before it plays Ireland next weekend, after the host ...

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Yukako Kawai earns family’s second medal at 2019 world championships

Yukako Kawai earned a bronze medal in the women’s 62-kg division at the World Wrestling Championships on Friday to complement the gold medal won by ...

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Fans stoked for start of Rugby World Cup

Hours before Friday night’s Rugby World Cup opening game between Japan and Russia at Tokyo Stadium, tons of fans donned red and white Brave Blossoms ...

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Australia talisman David Pocock returns to face Fiji

Adaptable to the end, David Pocock will start his last tournament for Australia in an unfamiliar position.Pocock was selected at No. 6 for the Wallabies’ ...

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Italy’s Sergio Parisse set to compete in record-equaling fifth Rugby World Cup

Sergio Parisse’s run at the Rugby World Cup has been more like a marathon than a sprint.The 36-year-old backrower will join his former teammate Mauro ...

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Tonga’s Nasi Manu beats cancer and chemotherapy to play at Rugby World Cup

No matter the score, if Nasi Manu gets on the field for Tonga in the Rugby World Cup game against England on Sunday it’ll be ...

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Rugby World Cup kicks off in Tokyo

The 2019 Rugby World Cup kicked off in spectacular style on Friday night with an opening ceremony that paid homage to traditional Japanese culture and ...

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Sumo 101: Imperial family and sumo

You don’t have to look far in sumo to find links with Japan’s imperial family.Every two months the top rikishi compete for a whole host ...

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Title chase now wide open

The race for the Emperor’s Cup at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament was thrown wide open again when Takakeisho lost to ozeki Goeido on Friday ...

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Spain’s superior teamwork produced glorious results at FIBA World Cup

Maybe 13 is a lucky number after all.Thirteen years after an inspired Spain, playing without injured star Pau Gasol (left foot) in the final, routed ...

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Ireland rules out injured Rob Kearney, Keith Earls for opener against Scotland

Injured British and Irish Lions backs Rob Kearney and Keith Earls weren’t risked by Ireland and won’t play against Scotland in their Rugby World Cup ...

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Springboks to honor late Chester Williams in RWC opener

The Springboks are to pay homage to late 1995 Rugby World Cup winner Chester Williams with his image printed on their jerseys for their tournament ...

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LIVEBLOG: 2019 Rugby World Cup — Japan vs Russia

Following the action of the opening ceremony of the 2019 Rugby World Gup and the first match of the tournament: Russia vs Japan, at Tokyo ...

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All Blacks, Springboks set for titanic clash

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen is confident his team has what it takes to win an unprecedented third straight Rugby World Cup title, but ...

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Yankees wrap up AL East title

The resilient New York Yankees powered their way to the club’s first AL East title since 2012, routing the Los Angeles Angels 9-1 Thursday night ...

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Arsenal, Man United open Europa League with wins

Arsenal and Manchester United both relied on a teenager to get their Europa League campaigns off to a winning start on Thursday.Arsenal, last year’s finalist, ...

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Mavericks sign free agent Yudai Baba to contract

As expected, the Dallas Mavericks finalized a contract with Yudai Baba on Thursday, signing the 23-year-old free agent to a contract in the run-up to ...

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Quarterback Gardner Minshew, defense shine as Jaguars clobber Titans

Minshew Mania is gaining momentum.Gardner Minshew threw two touchdown passes and should have had a third, Calais Campbell spearheaded another defensive gem and the Jacksonville ...

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Roger Federer, John McEnroe push for Laver Cup’s place in team tennis

Team events are having quite the resurgence on the men’s tennis circuit, with three different competitions scheduled in the next four months. What’s still unclear, ...

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Kawai captures third world crown

Japan’s Risako Kawai defeated defending women’s 57-kg champion Rong Ningning of China on Thursday to capture the third world championship gold medal of her career.Kawai ...

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Rugby 101: A primer on the rules

Rugby in the modern age is a high-paced game of skill and attrition in which 15 players on opposing sides spend 80 minutes hammering away ...

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Why rugby is the greatest game in the world

As we approach the start of what some claim is the third-largest sporting event in the world behind the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics, ...

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Mind your manners and don’t embarrass yourself at the Rugby World Cup

First time in Japan? Here are a couple tips that will serve you well.DO: Memorize this: nama (draft beer), daijyoki (make ‘em big) and — ...

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2019 Rugby World Cup team profiles

The following are profiles of each of the 20 participating teams in the 2019 Rugby World Cup. POOL A Ireland Coach: Joe Schmidt Key players: ...

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Nobumasa Fukuda’s two-RBI outing pushes Dragons past Giants

Nobumasa Fukuda twice drove in Ryosuke Hirata, pacing the Chunichi Dragons to a 2-1 win Thursday over the Central League-leading Yomiuri Giants.The Giants entered the ...

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Dutch soccer player Kelvin Maynard, 32, killed in overnight shooting in Amsterdam

Dutch police say that a man killed in an overnight shooting was former professional soccer player Kelvin Maynard.Police in Amsterdam confirmed his identity Thursday morning. ...

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Camila Giorgi, Misaki Doi post upsets in Pan Pacific Open second round

Camila Giorgi dropped just three games to upset third-seeded Sloane Stephens 6-0, 6-3 in the second round of the Pan Pacific Open on Thursday.The unseeded ...

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Carp slugger Seiya Suzuki taking nothing for granted

The only thing old school about Seiya Suzuki is his work ethic, because the strong-armed, hard-hitting Hiroshima Carp outfielder is not in the habit of ...

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Promoter Bob Arum urges Manny Pacquiao to fight Floyd Mayweather or retire

Veteran boxing promoter Bob Arum believes Manny Pacquiao should retire from the sport soon unless he can land a lucrative rematch with Floyd Mayweather.Arum, who ...

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France looking to impose attacking style of play against Argentina

France coach Jacques Brunel thinks he knows how to beat Argentina — impose an attacking style of play early on and then batter the Pumas ...

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Russia captain Vasily Artemyev says ‘pressure is on’ Japan in opener

Russia captain Vasily Artemyev has warned Japan that unless it brings its “A” game in Friday’s Rugby World Cup opener, the Brave Blossoms could face ...

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Haka embodies spirit of New Zealand’s All Blacks

The crowd is erupting in anticipation. The national anthems of both teams have just concluded and all eyes are now firmly fixed on the action ...

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England favorites to win World Cup, says former Brave Blossoms assistant Sawaki

Keisuke Sawaki, 44, a former Japan assistant coach under Eddie Jones in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, has made bold predictions for the upcoming World ...

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Retooled Brave Blossoms look to take world by storm

Japan head coach Jamie Joseph has a clear goal for the 2019 Rugby World Cup — lead his team to the quarterfinals for the first ...

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Japan hosts groundbreaking Rugby World Cup

The eyes of the world will be on Tokyo on Friday when Japan kicks off the 2019 Rugby World Cup in the opening game against ...

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Sumo 101: New Otani hotels and sumo

Last Friday, several members of the Ireland rugby team, including Clan Healy and Rory Best, visited Isegahama stable to watch a training session.It’s unusual for ...

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Takakeisho moves ahead of the pack

Takakeisho took the outright lead at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Thursday, beating Myogiryu to improve to 10-2 and secure promotion back to ozeki.The ...

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Man City cruises past Shakhtar in Champions League

Manchester City became the only English club to win its opening Champions League game, beating Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0 on Wednesday.After Chelsea and Liverpool lost and ...

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On-demand streaming service available for overseas visitors to RWC

An online streaming service designed for the more than 400,000 overseas visitors expected here over the next two months for the Rugby World Cup was ...

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Cancer survivor completes 12,000-km cycle from U.K. to Japan for Rugby World Cup

On the rain-soaked shores of Lake Kawaguchi in Yamanashi Prefecture, Patrick McIntosh, 63, looks relaxed, unperturbed by the inclement weather. In the context of his ...

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Gerrit Cole reaches 300 strikeouts for season as Astros clinch playoff berth

Gerrit Cole wanted to get his milestone strikeout at home, and he accomplished the feat in an important win for the Houston Astros.Cole struck out ...

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All Blacks select playmakers Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo’unga for opener against South Africa

Defending champion New Zealand has stuck with a dual playmaker model, selecting Richie Mo’unga at flyhalf and Beauden Barrett at fullback for their Rugby World ...

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Japan set to welcome the world for opening of 2019 Rugby World Cup

Blood, sweat and tears will be shed over the next six weeks as 20 teams fight for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in 12 stadiums ...

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Japan Skins exhibition to be broadcast live worldwide

Tiger Woods is playing another skins game with two big differences. This one is in Japan and will be broadcast live around the world by ...

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Brave Blossoms admit nervousness, excitement before RWC opener against Russia

Japan national team players on Thursday confessed to feeling nervous ahead of Friday’s opening game of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, but are confident the ...

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Cristina Valdez ecstatic after fulfilling dream of seeing Yuzuru Hanyu skate in person

There is nothing greater in life than fulfilling a dream.For Christina Valdez, the artistic director and choreographer for the Crescendo Conservatory in Overland Park, Kansas, ...

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Zach Neal picks up 10th straight win as Lions edge closer to Pacific League pennant

Zach Neal allowed five hits over eight innings to win his 10th-straight decision as the Seibu Lions beat the Orix Buffaloes 5-0 in the Pacific ...

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Wrestlers Risako Kawai, Hiroe Minagawa punch tickets for 2020 Tokyo Games; Kaori Icho eliminated

Risako Kawai booked her spot in next year’s Tokyo Olympics on Wednesday along with compatriot Hiroe Minagawa as both advanced to the finals of their ...

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Antlers fall on away goals in Asian Champions League quarterfinals

Defending champions Kashima Antlers exited the Asian Champions League quarterfinals on Wednesday with a 1-1 home draw against China’s Guangzhou Evergrande.The teams had played to ...

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Volunteers ready for action at Rugby World Cup

With the historic first Rugby World Cup match in Asia fast approaching, the volunteers are working to be just as ready as the players for ...

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Florida court dismisses ex-coach’s lawsuit against Naomi Osaka

A court in Florida has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Naomi Osaka’s former coach demanding a portion of the tennis star’s earnings, Osaka’s management agency ...

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Naomi Osaka reaches quarterfinals at Pan Pacific Open

Top-seeded Naomi Osaka reached the quarterfinals at the Pan Pacific Open by beating qualifier Viktoriya Tomova 7-5, 6-3 on Wednesday.Osaka, who was broken twice early ...

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Samoan players planning to cover tattoos in certain venues in Japan

Samoan rugby players will wear skin suits to cover their traditional tattoos during some training sessions at the World Cup in order not to offend ...

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Sumo 101: ‘Dragons’

There are many ways of classifying rikishi and discussing those groups’ various merits.Who are the best yokozuna or ozeki of all time for example? Which ...

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Takakeisho holds onto tie for lead

Takakeisho pulled off a big win at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Wednesday, defeating ozeki Tochinoshin to remain in a tie for the lead ...

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Thai star drives J. League’s popularity abroad

After seven years of hard work, the J. League’s vaunted “Asian Strategy” has resulted in some significant successes.Building on them will be an even bigger ...

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Brave Blossoms name team for Russia clash

Japan head coach Jamie Joseph on Wednesday urged his entire squad to be ready to play their part at the Rugby World Cup after naming ...

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Like father, like son as Blue Jays’ Cavan Biggio hits for cycle

Cavan Biggio hit for the cycle, just like his dad.Biggio homered in the third inning, singled in the sixth, doubled in the eighth and tripled ...

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Kenichiro Fumita clinches Greco-Roman 60-kg gold, Olympic berth

Japan’s Kenichiro Fumita defeated Russia’s Sergey Emelin to claim the men’s Greco-Roman 60-kg gold medal Tuesday at the world championships in Kazakhstan, which double as ...

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Gaming heavyweights raise $17 million for new esports network

A new venture backed by many of video gaming’s biggest publishers is unveiling a network that hopes to be to esports what ESPN has been ...

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Uncertainty looms over South Korea’s World Cup visit to Pyongyang

South Korea’s soccer association is unsure whether its World Cup qualifier against North Korea next month will take place in Pyongyang or on a neutral ...

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VAR takes center stage as titleholder Liverpool loses opener

It didn’t take long for VAR to become a talking point as the video refereeing system made its debut in the Champions League group phase.Liverpool ...

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China chooses panda as Winter Olympics mascot

China has chosen its most iconic animal — the panda — to be the official mascot of the Beijing Olympics in 2022, the Winter Games ...

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Wales coach Rob Howley returns home under betting investigation cloud

Wales assistant coach Rob Howley has returned home from the World Cup in Japan for a potential breach of World Rugby’s regulation on betting.The Welsh ...

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Urawa Reds move past Shanghai SIPG into ACL semis on away goals

Urawa Reds advanced to the semifinals of the Asian Champions League on away goals Tuesday after their quarterfinal tie with Shanghai SIPG ended in a ...

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Neymar’s Champions League ban cut to 2 games

Neymar’s ban from the Champions League for insulting match officials on social media was cut Tuesday to two group games.The Court of Arbitration for Sport ...

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Aerial battle key to France clash, says Pumas’ Nicolas Sanchez

Argentina’s fly-half says the aerial battle will be a key factor in the team’s crunch Pool C encounter with France, hoping that his experience in ...

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A’s waste late lead to Royals as advantage over Tampa Bay down to 1

There was plenty of blame to go around after Oakland’s stunning loss to Kansas City, one that prevented the Athletics from adding on to their ...

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Sumo 101: Sumo on the silver screen

For an activity as visually fascinating as sumo, there are precious few movies about the sport.A typical day’s action in the Kokugikan often involves more ...

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Five rikishi share lead after Day 10

Mitakeumi, Takakeisho and Asanoyama earned impressive victories Tuesday to move into a five-way tie for the lead at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.The logjam at ...

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Organizers laud Rugby World Cup prep

Rugby World Cup 2019 organizers on Tuesday said the stage is set for a “transformational” tournament as host nation Japan prepares to raise the curtain ...

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South Korean baseball team cancels fall training in Japan amid trade row

South Korean professional baseball team LG Twins has canceled its annual fall training in western Japan amid an escalating diplomatic row between the two countries, ...

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Mavericks call up Alvark’s Yudai Baba to fall tryout

Yudai Baba has stressed that he wants to be an NBA player, participating in a mini-camp and playing in July’s Summer League.Now the 23-year-old speedster ...

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Yuzuru Hanyu skates to victory in competitive return

A healthy Yuzuru Hanyu returned to competition over the weekend at the Autumn Classic International in victorious fashion. The superstar scored a comfortable win skating ...

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Italy captain Sergio Parisse optimistic team can deliver big World Cup surprise

To say the draw for the Rugby World Cup pool stage was unkind to Italy would be an understatement.Reaching the quarterfinals was always going to ...

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NHL players to stick with current CBA until September 2022

The National Hockey League will play its next three seasons without the threat of a work stoppage amid optimism that labor peace will stretch beyond ...

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Olympic Channel heavily invested in success of 2020 Tokyo Games

The Olympic Channel, a sport-focused streaming television service operated by the International Olympic Committee, is hoping that fans tune into the free platform when it ...

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Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger done for season with elbow injury

Ben Roethlisberger likes to point out that he’s played through the end of every contract he’s ever signed. It’s tangible proof of the longtime Pittsburgh ...

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Wales’ training session draws 15,000 fans ahead of World Cup

A crowd of about 15,000 fans gathered to see Wales, one of the tournament favorites, hold the team’s first open training session in Japan on ...

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Brave Blossoms taking different approaches to preparation, playing ahead of World Cup

Japan heads into their opening game of the Rugby World Cup knowing its strategy off the field in terms of preparation needs to be the ...

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Ayamu Ishikawa, Tatsuhiro Tamura lead Marines over Lions

Ayumu Ishikawa pitched seven strong innings and Tatsuhiro Tamura drove in the winning runs on Monday as the Chiba Lotte Marines claimed a 9-3 come-from-behind ...

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Okinoumi surrenders top spot on ninth day of basho

Okinoumi suffered his first loss of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday and fell into a two-way tie for the lead with fellow rank-and-filer ...

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Sumo 101: Presentation of new recruits

Sumo is a world filled with ritual and costume.From daily training to tournament bouts to going out in public, there are rules governing what you ...

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Okamoto keeps Olympic thoughts on back burner

Teenager Misugu Okamoto is refusing to entertain thoughts of Tokyo Olympic gold despite becoming skateboarding’s youngest world champion over the weekend.The 13-year-old captured the skateboarding ...

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Springboks assistant coach calls for fair officiating in All Blacks showdown

The Springboks on Monday called on French referee Jerome Garces to treat them as equals during this weekend’s opening Pool B blockbuster clash with defending ...

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Judo champion who defied Iran’s rules now in hiding

Saeid Mollaei has been in hiding since he left the Iranian judo team last month, saying he had been ordered to withdraw from the world ...

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U.S. retailer seeks to shake up Japan’s merchandise market

Kodai Senga’s 12-strikeout no-hitter on the night of Sept. 6 was more than just a historic moment — it was the first of his career ...

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Dodgers damage Mets’ playoff chances with comeback win

Pete Alonso is slumping at the wrong time for the New York Mets.And with little margin for error, their two most reliable relievers let a ...

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Koji Miyoshi scores winner off bench on Antwerp debut

On-loan midfielder Koji Miyoshi scored a winner just five minutes into his Belgian top-division debut as Antwerp beat Anderlecht 2-1 away on Sunday.The match was ...

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Wales players using baby oil to prepare for slick conditions at Rugby World Cup

Dealing with the extreme humidity during the World Cup in Japan will not be child’s play for any team, so Wales is looking to avoid ...

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Shinobu Ota claims gold at non-Olympic weight during Greco-Roman worlds

Shinobu Ota won the gold medal Sunday in the men’s Greco-Roman 63-kg class at the world championships, which is also a qualification event for the ...

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Rams win big in rematch against Saints

When Drew Brees went to the sideline holding his injured throwing hand, this NFC championship game rematch — and maybe this season’s Super Bowl race ...

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Angels’ Mike Trout to have season-ending foot surgery

Mike Trout’s season is over.The Los Angeles Angels say the eight-time All-Star will have surgery on his right foot this week because of Morton’s neuroma, ...

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Spain captures FIBA World Cup; Marc Gasol completes double

Marc Gasol looked to the sky as confetti fell, some sticking to his massive shoulders, and then cradled and kissed the giant golden chalice that ...

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Kotaro Kiyomiya lifts Fighters over Hawks

Kotaro Kiyomiya broke an eighth-inning tie with a bases-loaded RBI single on Sunday, lifting the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters to a 7-5 Pacific League win ...

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Brave Blossoms insist loss to Springboks was great preparation for RWC

Japan will head into the Rugby World Cup on the back of a big loss to South Africa, but the Brave Blossoms insisted Sunday that ...

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Tatsuki Suzuki claims maiden Moto3 win in San Marino

Tatsuki Suzuki claimed his maiden career victory in the Moto3 category at the San Marino Grand Prix on Sunday.Pole-sitter Suzuki, 21, engaged his Honda in ...

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France beats Australia for bronze medal at FIBA World Cup

France has another bronze medal in the World Cup to go with one it won in 2014 — a measure of its world basketball status.Australia ...

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Naomi Osaka among players hoping for redemption at Pan Pacific Open

Redemption is the theme as the 2019 edition of the Pan Pacific Open gets underway Monday with a weaker field than in year’s past, with ...

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Bars near Rugby World Cup venues prepare for surge in beer drinking

From the start of Rugby World Cup until it finishes in November, a bar nearby Tokyo Stadium will lay on three times its usual number ...

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Ichiro thanks Mariners fans in English during pregame ceremony

Ichiro Suzuki, who amassed 4,367 hits over his historic career in Japan and the majors, was honored with the Seattle Mariners Franchise Achievement Award on ...

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Banzuke-gai exists for rikishi outside of normal rankings

It’s common knowledge that the written banzuke (ranking sheet) contains the name of every single wrestler in professional sumo, from the yokozuna at the top ...

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Perfect Okinoumi remains in front

Rank-and-filer Okinoumi earned his eighth straight win at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday to remain undefeated and in sole control at the midpoint ...

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Nakamura, Maeda victorious in MGC races

Shogo Nakamura and Yuma Hattori edged national record holder Suguru Osako to finish first and second in the men’s competition at Sunday’s Marathon Grand Championship, ...

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Ireland wary of Brave Blossoms threat, head coach Joe Schmidt says

Ireland wants to take it one match at a time in its Rugby World Cup group stage but has already singled out host Japan as ...

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Tyson Fury overcomes bloody cut over eye to beat Otto Wallin

Tyson Fury overcame a bloody cut over his right eye to pound out a unanimous decision Saturday night over Sweden’s Otto Wallin and set up ...

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Former Hanshin Tigers great, Sawamura Award winner Gene Bacque dies at 82

Former Hanshin Tigers ace Gene Bacque, the first foreign recipient of the Sawamura Award, passed away on Saturday night at the age of 82, multiple ...

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Yokozuna Kakuryu withdraws from Autumn Basho

Mongolian yokozuna Kakuryu pulled out of the ongoing 15-day tournament in Tokyo on Sunday.His withdrawal on Day 8 leaves the Autumn Sumo Grand Tournament without ...

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Yuzuru Hanyu skates to victory in season debut at Autumn Classic International

Two-time men’s Olympic figure skating champion Yuzuru Hanyu opened his season with a comfortable victory at the Autumn Classic International on Saturday.In first place after ...

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Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard makes Spanish League debut in triumph over Levante

The wait was finally over for Eden Hazard, who made his Spanish League debut with Real Madrid in a 3-2 win over Levante on Saturday.Karim ...

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Wallabies captain Michael Hooper would embrace chance to revive partnership with David Pocock

Australia captain Michael Hooper has said he would welcome the chance to revive his back row partnership with David Pocock at the Rugby World Cup, ...

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Two first-half goals propel Frontale past Jubilo

Two teams winless in their last six games stepped onto the Todoroki Stadium pitch needing a win for very different reasons.Only one walked away happy ...

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All Blacks’ warm welcome confirms status as fan favorites

The New Zealand was officially welcomed to the Rugby World Cup at Tokyo’s Zojoji Temple on Saturday in front of a big crowd of hard-core ...

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U.S. places seventh at FIBA World Cup with victory over Poland

Donovan Mitchell scored 16 points and handed out 10 assists, Joe Harris scored 14 and the United States defeated Poland 87-74 on Saturday for seventh ...

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World Cup winner Mark Andrews says pressure was ‘horrendous’

As a member of the South Africa team that won the 1995 World Cup and was later immortalized in the Clint Eastwood film “Invictus,” Mark ...

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Misaki Doi, Nao Hibino advance to Japan Women’s Open singles final

Misaki Doi upset second-seeded Veronika Kudermetova 6-4, 6-3 Saturday to set up a rare all-Japanese final at the Japan Women’s Open.Nao Hibino moved into her ...

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From cow suit to All Blacks jersey: Shannon Frizell’s journey to Japan

Loose forward Shannon Frizell was surprised and delighted to be summoned to the All Blacks’ Rugby World Cup squad on Friday, having been wearing a ...

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Unbeaten Okinoumi alone at top

Okinoumi maintained the sole lead at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday, improving to 7-0 with an impressive win over fellow rank-and-file grappler Myogiryu.The ...

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England ‘spurred’ by 2015 RWC flop, says captain Owen Farrell

England captain Owen Farrell said Saturday that memories of the team’s horror Rugby World Cup four years ago will be a driving force as they ...

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Rookie Bo Bichette lifts Blue Jays over Yankees with 12th-inning blast

Bo Bichette led off the bottom of the 12th inning Friday night with a home run as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the New York ...

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Sumo 101: World championships

Broadly speaking, sumo is divided into two separate (but overlapping) sports.Professional sumo (known as ozumo or grand sumo) exists only in Japan and is by ...

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Shohei Ohtani undergoes successful surgery on left knee, Angels manager Brad Ausmus says

Los Angeles Angels player Shohei Ohtani underwent successful surgery on his left knee on Friday, a procedure that will keep him out for the remainder ...

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Dragons’ Yudai Ono twirls no-hitter against Tigers

Yudai Ono pitched the 92nd no-hitter in NPB history Saturday, striking out nine and walking one in the Chunichi Dragons’ 3-0 win over the Hanshin ...

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Neymar set to make PSG return after being included on squad

Neymar is set to make his Paris Saint-Germain return after being included on the squad for Saturday’s French League game at home to Strasbourg.PSG coach ...

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Kevin Chappell cards 11-under 59 at The Greenbrier

Last fall, Kevin Chappell was at home recuperating from back surgery. On Friday in his first PGA Tour event since surgery, he had the 11th ...

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Inspired Luis Scola guides Argentina past France, into World Cup finale

Luis Scola was asked what Sunday will mean to him, and he didn’t hesitate with the answer.“Everything,” he said. The veteran Argentinian forward didn’t need ...

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Veteran guard Shaun Livingston retires after 15 NBA seasons and major comeback

Shaun Livingston’s career nearly ended 12 years ago far ahead of his schedule because of a gruesome knee injury. Now, he gets to retire on ...

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Rika Kihira claims Autumn Classic International title; Yuzuru Hanyu leads after men’s short program

Rika Kihira captured the women’s title in her season opener at the Autumn Classic International on Friday, completing a good day for Japan after two-time ...

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Tigers starter Randy Messenger to retire after season

Veteran pitcher Randy Messenger will retire at the end of this season, the Hanshin Tigers announced Friday, the same day he formally told the club ...

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Rookie starter Wataru Matsumoto keeps Lions hot on Hawks’ heels

Rookie Wataru Matsumoto worked seven innings for the Seibu Lions, who moved into a virtual tie for the Pacific League lead on Friday with a ...

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Cerezo’s Atomu Tanaka scores late winner against struggling Reds

Substitute forward Atomu Tanaka struck the winner in the 84th minute as Cerezo Osaka beat the Urawa Reds 2-1 on Friday.Picking up where they left ...

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Rassie Erasmus backs Springboks’ early arrival in Japan as a success

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus feels vindicated in his side’s early arrival in Japan for the Rugby World Cup, even though it will mean its ...

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Kobe Bryant says easy days for Team USA are over

Kobe Bryant played on the Redeem Team in 2008, the one that delivered an Olympic gold medal in Beijing after a series of USA Basketball ...

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Brave Blossoms formally welcomed to Rugby World Cup

Japan was officially welcomed to the Rugby World Cup at a ceremony at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office on Friday that saw all 31 playing ...

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Nao Hibino prevails over top-seeded Hsieh Su-wei in Japan Women’s Open quarterfinals

Nao Hibino advanced to the semifinals of the Japan Women’s Open by beating top-seeded Hsieh Su-wei of Taiwan 6-4, 6-3 on Friday.Making her first appearance ...

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Spain outlasts Australia in 20T to reach FIBA World Cup final

Spain is back into the final of the FIBA World Cup with a chance to match the title it won 13 years ago.Marc Gasol scored ...

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Unbeaten Okinoumi grabs sole lead

A mishap involving a referee left maegashira Okinoumi in the sole lead of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday, the sixth day of competition.No. ...

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Ex-Former JRFU chairman Shigeru Konno to be posthumously inducted into World Rugby Hall of Fame

Former Japan Rugby Football Union chairman Shigeru Konno, who fostered international friendship through his involvement with the game, is to be posthumously inducted into the ...

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Sumo 101: Kaobure

Every day of a sumo tournament contains hundreds of bouts.From early in the morning until late in the evening, a virtually non-stop parade of wrestlers ...

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Marathon Grand Championship offers path to 2020 Games

The inaugural Marathon Grand Championship gets underway with tickets to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on the line.The Olympic trial concept in Japan will kick off ...

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U.S., Canada aiming to not leave another RWC empty-handed

There’s a sense that this is the best team the United States has ever sent to a Rugby World Cup.The Americans won an unprecedented nine ...

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Octopuses prognosticate Japan will fail to reach RWC knockout stage

Two octopuses predicted Friday that Japan will not advance to the knockout stage of the Rugby World Cup, which opens next week.Octopuses selected the outcomes ...

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Cubs’ Yu Darvish fans season-high 14 in victory over Padres

Yu Darvish and the Chicago Cubs are heading back to Wrigley Field feeling better about their situation than they had in several days.Darvish struck out ...

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Rugby reflections: a look back at all eight World Cups

In eight Rugby World Cup tournaments, four countries have claimed the title: New Zealand three times, including the last two, Australia and South Africa twice ...

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Rika Kihira leads after short program at Autumn Classic International

Rika Kihira led the field after the women’s short program on Thursday at the Autumn Classic International, an ISU Challenger Series event held ahead of ...

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Buccaneers use goal-line stand to defeat Panthers

When Cam Newton left the shotgun and began creeping toward the line of scrimmage, Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Vernon Hargreaves knew exactly what was coming.The ...

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Naomi Osaka changes coach for second time this year

Japanese tennis superstar Naomi Osaka announced Friday she is splitting with her coach, her second break-up this year as she battles for form and slips ...

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Shohei Ohtani to have surgery on kneecap, miss rest of year

Shohei Ohtani is ending his second major league season early to make sure he’s prepared to resume his two-way career in 2020.The Los Angeles Angels ...

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U.S. clinches worst big-tourney finish, loses 94-89 to Serbia

The United States will leave the FIBA World Cup with its worst finish in a major international tournament, assured of finishing no better than seventh ...

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Hawks edge Lions, move back into first place

Yurisbel Gracial delivered a solo home run, while Kodai Senga threw eight innings of one-run ball, as the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks held on for a ...

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Former top-ranked Kim Clijsters planning another comeback

Four-time Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters is planning another comeback.A mother of three, the Belgian who retired after the 2012 U.S. Open wants a new ...

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Whistle for RWC opener arrives in Japan after epic journey

The whistle to be used by referee Nigel Owens when the Rugby World Cup kicks off on Sept. 20 in Tokyo arrived in Japan on ...

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Counterfeit NBA championship rings seized at Los Angeles International Airport

Twenty-eight counterfeit NBA championship rings have been seized by federal authorities at Los Angeles International Airport.U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Wednesday that the rings ...

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Arsene Wenger says Man United not mature enough to contend for Premier League title

Manchester United’s current squad lacks the maturity required to mount a serious challenge for the Premier League title, although Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s players have potential, ...

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Top European clubs concentrate transfer spending on young players

The clubs involved in this season’s Champions League and Europa League group stages invested more than half of their transfer spending in the last window ...

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Caster Semenya to finally get her gold medal from 2011 worlds

Caster Semenya is finally getting her gold medal from the 2011 world championships after Russian runner Maria Savinova was stripped of the title for doping.But ...

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Alison Van Uytvanck reaches Japan Women’s Open quarterfinals

Third-seeded Alison Van Uytvanck advanced to the quarterfinals of the Japan Women’s Open with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Kirsten Flipkens on Thursday.Van Uytvanck ...

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Kakuryu handed first defeat; Takakeisho, Okinoumi improve to 5-0

Yokozuna Kakuryu suffered his first loss of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Thursday, falling behind undefeated co-leaders sekiwake Takakeisho and rank-and-filer Okinoumi on Day ...

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Sumo 101: Kitanofuji

Sumo tournaments are shown daily on NHK. While the play-by-play men rotate, one ever present is acerbic color commentator Kitanofuji.Often decked out in traditional Japanese ...

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Mariners rookie Kyle Lewis’ homer spoils another no-hit bid

Rookie Kyle Lewis broke up a no-hit bid with a home run for the second consecutive game, and the Seattle Mariners beat Sonny Gray and ...

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Flyhalf Bernard Foley to join Kubota Spears after Rugby World Cup

Australia flyhalf Bernard Foley will join the Top League’s Kubota Spears after the Rugby World Cup, the club announced on Thursday.Foley, who is in Japan ...

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Rory McIlroy named PGA Tour Player of the Year

Rory McIlroy was named the PGA Tour’s Player of the Year on Wednesday, winning the prestigious Jack Nicklaus Award for the third time.The Northern Ireland ...

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Akita, Shimane are model local teams

Japan’s pro basketball landscape completely changed during the bj-league’s 11 seasons of operations. From six franchises in its inaugural 2005-06 season to 24 in the ...

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France sends U.S. packing with win in quarterfinals

No gold. No medal. No more winning streak.The U.S. reign atop international basketball has ended — this time, thwarted by France at the World Cup. ...

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Bruins extend coach Bruce Cassidy’s contract

The Boston Bruins signed coach Bruce Cassidy to a multiyear contract extension Wednesday, a reward for leading the team to the Stanley Cup Final in ...

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Guard Sam Davis, four-time Super Bowl champ with Steelers, dies at 75

Sam Davis, the guard who helped the Pittsburgh Steelers win four Super Bowls in the 1970s, has died. He was 75.Davis was found dead Tuesday ...

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Justify failed drug test before 2018 Triple Crown run: report

The New York Times says Justify won the 2018 Triple Crown after a failed postrace drug test at a California track that could have kept ...

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Lions move into first place with win over Hawks

The Seibu Lions grabbed the top spot in the Pacific League on Wednesday, sinking the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks 4-1 after Tomoya Mori connected on a ...

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France stuns U.S. in FIBA World Cup quarterfinals

The U.S. has been ousted from medal contention by France at the World Cup, failing to capture gold at a major international tournament for the ...

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Yuta Watanabe shifts focus to upcoming NBA season

Just over 14, 15 hours after his return from China, Yuta Watanabe was back at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, where the Japan men’s national team had ...

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All Blacks hold first practice in Japan ahead of Rugby World Cup

Defending champion New Zealand underwent a punishing first World Cup training session in Japan on Wednesday before promising to come out firing against South Africa ...

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Kakuryu, two others earn 4th wins

Yokozuna Kakuryu kept his share of the lead at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Wednesday, defeating rank-and-filer Ichinojo in the day’s final bout at ...

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Sumo 101: Technique and strategy

One of the defining features of sumo is how quickly bouts end.Most fights take less than 5-6 seconds from start to finish. Japan’s national sport ...

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Antonio Brown accused of rape by former trainer

New England Patriots wide receiver Antonio Brown has been accused of rape by a former trainer.Britney Taylor says Brown sexually assaulted her on three occasions, ...

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South Korea asks IOC to ban ‘rising sun’ flag at Tokyo Olympics

South Korea has formally asked the International Olympic Committee to ban the Japanese “rising sun” flag at next year’s Tokyo Games, calling it a symbol ...

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Mixed results from VAR’s Levain Cup debut

The video assistant referee (VAR) has made its J. League debut, but there’s still much to be done before the system is ready for the ...

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Japan’s shortcomings laid bare at World Cup

High hopes turned into devastation — and misery.With an 80-65 loss to Montenegro on Monday, the Japan men’s basketball team concluded its campaign at the ...

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Koreas miss qualifying deadline for joint 2020 hockey team

South Korea and North Korea have missed a qualification deadline and will not be able to form a unified women’s hockey team for the 2020 ...

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13,000 ‘Team No-Side’ volunteers ready for Rugby World Cup

Fans can expect plenty of helping hands at the Rugby World Cup starting on Sept. 20 as a record-high 13,000 volunteers are set to cover ...

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Christian Yelich breaks kneecap, out for season; Brewers top Marlins

Brewers star Christian Yelich broke his right kneecap on a foul ball Tuesday night and will miss the rest of the regular season, an injury ...

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Browns receiver Odell Beckham Jr. plans to keep wearing lavish watch on the field

Watch it: Odell Beckham Jr.’s taking a stand against the NFL on his lavish wrist wear.Beckham said Tuesday that he intends to keep wearing the ...

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Hong Kong soccer fans loudly boo Chinese national anthem

Thousands of Hong Kong soccer fans booed loudly and turned their backs when the Chinese national anthem was played before a World Cup qualifier match ...

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Japan opens World Cup qualifying with 2-0 away win against Myanmar

Shoya Nakajima’s and Takumi Minamino’s first-half goals lead Japan to a 2-0 win away over Myanmar as the Samurai Blue opened their 2022 World Cup ...

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Argentina knocks off Serbia to reach World Cup semifinals

Luis Scola scored 20 points, Facundo Campazzo finished with 18 points and 12 assists and Argentina earned its first trip to the FIBA World Cup ...

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Carp’s Daichi Osera tosses eight scoreless innings in victory over Dragons

Daichi Osera threw eight innings, leading the Hiroshima Carp to a 3-0 victory over the Chunichi Dragons on Tuesday.Osera (11-8) gave up six hits, all ...

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Two Russian Olympic champs refused clearance for worlds

Two Olympic gold medalists from Russia were refused clearance Tuesday to compete as neutral athletes at the upcoming IAAF World Athletics Championships.High jumper Anna Chicherova ...

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Kakuryu notches third straight win

Yokozuna Kakuryu retained his spotless record with a third straight win at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Tuesday, while ozeki Goeido suffered his first ...

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Hanyu set for season debut in Canada

Two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu is set to make his season debut at the Autumn Classic International in Oakville, Ontario, this week.This will be an ...

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Michael Schumacher treated in secrecy in Paris hospital: report

A Paris newspaper reported that seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher is being treated with a cutting-edge stem-cell therapy in one of the French ...

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Sunwolves to open final season in Fukuoka on Feb. 1

The Sunwolves will open their final season in Super Rugby on Feb. 1, 2020, at Fukuoka’s Level 5 Stadium against the Melbourne Rebels, tournament organizer ...

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Sumo 101: Kuramae Kokugikan

The six yearly grand sumo tournaments are held at four locations.The January, March and September meets are in Tokyo, while the March, July and November ...

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Saints beat Texans on Wil Lutz’s 58-yard field goal on final play

Drew Brees and Wil Lutz supplied the accuracy and poise New Orleans needed to overcome another officiating gaffe and its defense’s late collapse.Lutz made a ...

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Yankees blank Red Sox, end rivals’ three-year AL East reign

The music blared in the clubhouse behind the door to manager Aaron Boone’s office — “New York, New York” was playing through the speakers, and ...

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Czech Republic, U.S. complete quarterfinal field at FIBA World Cup

The Czech Republic and the United States completed the field on Monday for the quarterfinals of FIBA World Cup.The Czech’s did it the hard way. ...

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USC athletic director Lynn Swann resigns

University of Southern California athletic director Lynn Swann resigned Monday after three tumultuous years on the job at his alma mater.New USC President Carol Folt ...

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Kota Futaki holds off Hawks as Marines split series

Kota Futaki threw six solid innings, pitching the Chiba Lotte Marines to an 11-6 win over the Pacific League-leading Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks on Monday.The win ...

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Japan ends World Cup journey with disappointing loss to Montenegro

The squad dubbed the best-ever in its history will exit China with nothing to celebrate.Japan’s men’s basketball team fell 80-65 to Montenegro in its final ...

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Teams, organizers brace for possibility of typhoons at Rugby World Cup

Namibia 0, New Zealand 0 at the Rugby World Cup! It’s an improbable scoreline, but one that could happen if their pool match is cancelled ...

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Lone yokozuna Kakuryu earns second straight win

Yokozuna Kakuryu defended the rank’s honor by making quick work of rank-and-filer Hokutofuji at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday en route to his ...

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Sumo 101: Rikishi & Social media

At first glance, sumo can seem intransigently stuck in the past.Training consists mostly of repeating the exact same movements day after day with little regard ...

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Race for Sawamura Award going down to wire

With the NPB season nearly over — no team has more than 16 games left — it’s almost time for the group of retired pitchers ...

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Nigeria, Iran clinch 2020 Olympic berths

Nigeria and Iran are going to the Olympics. China’s World Cup run came to a disappointing end. And Serbia is unbeaten no more, making a ...

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Former All Black Mark Robinson appointed CEO of New Zealand Rugby

Former All Blacks center Mark Robinson has been appointed chief executive of New Zealand Rugby to replace Steve Tew.Robinson, 45, played nine tests for New ...

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Charles Leclerc races to victory at Italian GP to end Ferrari’s long wait

Charles Leclerc hadn’t even reached his teens the last time Ferrari won the Italian Grand Prix.Only a week after achieving a first Formula One victory ...

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Yokozuna Hakuho withdraws from Autumn Basho

Yokozuna Hakuho withdrew from the ongoing 15-day Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on Monday after suffering a shock loss to a rank-and-filer on the ...

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Dodgers lower magic number to 2 with victory over Giants

The Dodgers are on the verge of another runaway division title, and still there was anxiety Sunday.Matt Beaty homered to end a 12-inning scoreless streak, ...

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Patrick Mahomes leads way as Chiefs beat Jaguars in opener

Patrick Mahomes was every bit as good as he was during his MVP campaign. Sammy Watkins was better than ever.Mahomes and Watkins —along with new ...

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Rafael Nadal wins epic battle against Daniil Medvedev to claim U.S. Open title

Rafael Nadal held off a strong comeback bid to win his 19th Grand Slam title by edging Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4 in ...

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England comes alive in second half to whip Italy

England rounded off its preparations for the Rugby World Cup in Japan by beating Italy 37-0 on Friday with help from one man who will ...

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Frontale punch ticket for Levain Cup semifinals

Kawasaki Frontale booked their place in the Levain Cup semifinals Sunday with a 4-2 aggregate win over Nagoya Grampus in their quarterfinal tie.Frontale will be ...

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Japan looking to end FIBA World Cup on high note

The Japan men’s national team is wounded both physically and mentally.Which makes posting its first win at the FIBA World Cup appear to be a ...

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Yokozuna Hakuho suffers upset on opening day of Autumn Basho

Hakuho suffered a big upset at the hands of rank-and-filer Hokutofuji on Sunday, the first day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.Starting his first tournament ...

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Hotaka Yamakwa comes through late in Lions’ win over Eagles

Hotaka Yamakawa hit a game-winning double and Keisuke Honda had a solid start, as the Seibu Lions beat the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles 3-2 on ...

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Sumo 101: Degeiko

The vast majority of a sumo wrestler’s training bouts take place at home, against his own stablemates.This works well if, like Terutsuyoshi, you join a ...

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Joe Burrow leads No. 6 LSU past No. 9 Texas

Joe Burrow was nearly perfect in the second half against Texas.He had to be. With Longhorns quarterback Sam Ehlinger matching him nearly blow for blow, ...

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Bianca Andreescu holds off Serena Williams to win U.S. Open

Bianca Andreescu knew this would happen, because she knows all about Serena Williams. Looked up to her. Dreamed of playing her.Andreescu knew Williams would not ...

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Shohei Ohtani homers, drives in five runs to help Angels beat White Sox

Shohei Ohtani shared few details about his recent hitting adjustments. The results speak for themselves.Ohtani hit a three-run home run and drove in a career-high ...

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Skateboarder Yuto Horigome wins second straight Olympic qualifier

Yuto Horigome won a second straight 2020 Tokyo Olympic qualifying event when he claimed the men’s street title at the International Skateboarding Open on Saturday.In ...

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Swallows manager Junji Ogawa to step down after season

Tokyo Yakult Swallows manager Junji Ogawa said Sunday he intends to take responsibility for the Central League club’s poor performance this year and retire when ...

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Antonio Brown catches on with Patriots after being released by Raiders

Randy Moss. Josh Gordon. And now Antonio Brown.A dozen years after Bill Belichick took a chance on Moss when the talented but troubled diva had ...

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Australia outplays Samoa in teams’ final test match before Rugby World Cup

Australia survived a second-half comeback attempt by Samoa to beat the South Pacific islanders 34-15 Saturday in the teams’ final test match before the Rugby ...

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New Zealand cruises past winless Japan

Despite playing without two key members, the Japan men’s national squad expected to have a tough contest against another competitive team.But probably not this tough. ...

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Australia overcomes pesky Dominican Republic

Veteran center Andrew Bogut ran the gauntlet once more at the FIBA World Cup in China as Australia planted one foot in the quarterfinals with ...

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Dragons’ Yuya Yanagi recovers from shaky start, pitches seven solid innings to beat BayStars

Yuya Yanagi bounced back from a tough first inning to work seven innings and win for the first time in two months as the Chunichi ...

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RWC organizers to set up 16 fan zones across Japan for live screenings of matches

One million fans without tickets are expected to watch live screenings of matches at 16 fan zones in 12 cities across Japan during the Rugby ...

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Argentina enjoys Sydney seaside romp en route to RWC

Winger Bautista Delguy scored four tries as Argentina romped to a 74-0 victory over Australian club Randwick at Coogee Oval on Saturday in the Pumas’ ...

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All Blacks clober Tonga in final match before Rugby World Cup

The All Blacks got exactly what they wanted from their final match ahead of the Rugby World Cup when they demolished Tonga 92-7 on Saturday, ...

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Angels rally late to beat White Sox

Brian Goodwin left his mark on a game, just as Mike Trout has done so often for the Los Angeles Angels.Goodwin’s two-run homer in the ...

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Jack Sikma, Vlade Divac lead Basketball Hall of Fame class

Jack Sikma used his Basketball Hall of Fame induction speech to make a plea for the NBA to return to Seattle, where he led the ...

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Noah Lyles clocks 19.74 seconds to win 200 at Diamond League finals

Track and FieldAmerican sprinter Noah Lyles raced to the 200 meters title at the Diamond League finals on Friday, extending his winning run ahead of ...

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Rafael Nadal sweeps past Matteo Berrettini in U.S. Open semifinal

Rafael Nadal was down 4-0 in a first-set tiebreaker against a bigger, younger opponent finding ways to cause trouble in their U.S. Open semifinal.So, a ...

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MLB, union plans to discuss opioids testing after Tyler Skaggs’ death

Major League Baseball and the players’ association will discuss the possibility of more widespread testing for opioids following the death of Los Angeles Angels pitcher ...

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Spain finishes strong against Italy to reach FIBA World Cup quarterfinals

Spain produced a devastating late burst to seal a 67-60 victory over Italy and squeeze into the FIBA World Cup quarterfinals on Friday — and ...

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Joe Thornton signs one-year deal with Sharks

Joe Thornton is coming back for another season at age 40, signing a one-year, $2 million contract with the San Jose Sharks on Friday after ...

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Japan fails aerial test against Springboks in Rugby World Cup warmup

Japan head coach Jamie Joseph has warned his players they must stand tall if they want to survive at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, after ...

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South Africa jumps out to early lead, manhandles Japan in pre-RWC match

Japan failed to claim another famous win over South Africa on Friday as the 2019 Rugby World Cup host lost 41-7 to the Springboks in ...

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Hawks’ Kodai Senga tosses no-hitter, fans 12 in triumph over Marines

Kodai Senga threw the 91st regular season no-hitter in NPB history on Friday in the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks’ 2-0 victory over the Chiba Lotte Marines.The ...

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Dustin Johnson undergoes routine knee surgery, eyes autumn return

Dustin Johnson had arthroscopic surgery Thursday to repair cartilage damage in his left knee and is expected to return this fall.The star golfer’s manager said ...

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Poland, Serbia move closer to FIBA World Cup quarterfinals

Poland had not been to the FIBA World Cup in 52 years.It’s making up for lost time. Poland is in the driver’s seat for a ...

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Rui Hachimura to sit out remainder of FIBA World Cup

Star forward Rui Hachimura will not play in Japan’s consolation games against New Zealand and Montenegro in order to rest his weary body, the Japan ...

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RFK Stadium to be demolished by 2021

RFK Stadium, the former home of the NFL’s Washington Redskins, MLB’s Washington Nationals and Senators, and Major League Soccer’s D.C. United, will be demolished by ...

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Springboks aim for return to top

Siya Kolisi dreams of becoming the first black Springboks skipper to lift the Rugby World Cup trophy, and complete the remarkable transformation of the team ...

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Yokohama commemorates its rugby history ahead of RWC

With the Rugby World Cup starting in just two weeks, a monument was unveiled Thursday, marking the city’s place in the 150-year history of the ...

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All Blacks’ title hopes hinge on tactical switch

The All Blacks are confident they can win an unprecedented third straight Rugby World Cup in Japan, even if they have to shift one of ...

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Braves’ Max Fried outduels Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg in marquee pitching matchup

Max Fried knew his night was about done.So, with the final pitch of the most dominating performance of his big league career, he unleashed a ...

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Rikako Ikee makes first public appearance since leukemia diagnosis

Rikako Ikee, who is continuing treatment for leukemia, watched a college swim meet Friday in her first public appearance since revealing her diagnosis in February.The ...

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Serena to face Canadian teen in U.S. Open final

By no means was Serena Williams perfect at the start of her U.S. Open semifinal.She faced three break points in the opening game and managed ...

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Packers beat Bears as NFL opens 100th season

Aaron Rodgers doesn’t have to lay waste to a defense to enjoy Packers football.He sure had a good time seeing what his guys on the ...

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Jerry West receives Presidential Medal of Freedom

Jerry West, the NBA legend who delivered championships to the Los Angeles Lakers as both a player and an executive, said, “It never ceases to ...

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U.S. crushes Japan in final group game at World Cup

The result was much anticipated. Nevertheless, the game left the Akatsuki Five with grief and a sigh.The Japan men’s national team took a third straight ...

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Dragons complete three-city series sweep of Giants

The Chunichi Dragons beat the Yomiuri Giants here, they beat them there and, for this series at least, they beat them everywhere.Nobumasa Fukuda capped a ...

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Japan sets tone with two first-half goals in victory over Paraguay

Japan heads into its first game of World Cup qualifying next week on a high after knocking off Paraguay 2-0 Thursday in a friendly.Yuya Osako ...

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Former Japan boss Javier Aguirre denies involvement in match-fixing in Spain

Former Mexico manager Javier Aguirre has denied taking money that was allegedly used to fix the result of a Spanish Leaguegame eight years ago.Aguirre testified ...

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Czech Republic reaches second round; Turkey headed to consolation round

The Czech Republic is headed to the second round of the World Cup, and Turkey’s collapse is complete.Vojtech Hruban scored 18 points, Ondrej Balvin finished ...

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Former Toyota Verblitz player Ryota Kabashima pleads guilty to cocaine possession

Former Toyota Verblitz flyhalf Ryota Kabashima pleaded guilty on Thursday to possessing cocaine in his first court appearance in the case.“There is no mistake (in ...

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Reds’ Michael Lorenzen achieves feat last accomplished by Babe Ruth in 1921

With a homer, a win and an appearance in the outfield, Michael Lorenzen pulled off a feat last accomplished by The Babe. Cincinnati’s versatile reliever ...

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Japan, South Africa ready for rematch of 2015 Rugby World Cup epic

Much has been said about Japan looking to prove miracles can happen twice when it takes on South Africa on Friday night at Kumagaya Rugby ...

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Envisioning comparisons between sumo, rugby as RWC approaches

Sumo isn’t the only show in town this September, as the world’s third-largest sporting event comes to Asia for the first time ever.The 2019 Rugby ...

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Cowboys, running back Ezekiel Elliott agree on $90 million extension

Ezekiel Elliott was finishing the early stretching at the first practice since ending his long holdout with the Dallas Cowboys when the star running back ...

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Surveying the B. League coaching landscape entering the 2019-20 season

Coaching longevity with one team isn’t a trademark in pro basketball.Here today, gone tomorrow. That’s the reality of the business. And the current crop of ...

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Emperor’s Cup up for grabs at Autumn Basho

Since the beginning of 2018, sumo fans have been spoiled for entertainment with one dramatic event after another hitting the sport.Multiple first-time tournament winners, incredible ...

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Dominant Rafael Nadal advances to U.S. Open semifinals

Rafael Nadal kept pulling away in his U.S. Open quarterfinal, then getting reeled back in by Diego Schwartzman.In the first set, Nadal led 4-0 before ...

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Serbia, Spain, Argentina still unbeaten

Serbia celebrated its third successive World Cup win after a majestic performance by guard Bogdan Bogdanovic helped lead it to a 92-77 win over Italy, ...

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Steve Smith returns to lead Australia fightback in fourth Ashes test against England

Steve Smith delivered another defiant innings on his return from a concussion to lead Australia out of early trouble and into a solid position at ...

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Coyotes sign forward Clayton Keller to eight-year contract extension

Clayton Keller has lived up to lofty expectations, becoming one of Arizona’s best players by his second full NHL season.The Coyotes on Wednesday rewarded the ...

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NTT becomes MLB’s first Japanese information technology partner

Major League Baseball and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. announced a three-year partnership on Wednesday, making NTT the first Japanese information technology company to become ...

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Naturalized Japan big man Nick Fazekas looking forward to playing against U.S.

As a naturalized Japanese citizen, Nick Fazekas described it “a crazy ride” to be facing his native country on the sport’s premier stage.That’s what will ...

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