Retired athletes charting new paths inspire others to take the leap

Stories of athletes trying to find new meaning in life after retiring from elite-level sports are serving as an inspiration for those who think they ...

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Frontale hope to make excitement of live-match experience more accessible to larger audience

In July 2019, before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, a number of guests with developmental disorders were able to watch a live match at ...

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Giants announce agreement with slugger Eric Thames

The 34-year-old will arrive in Japan with 96 career home runs — 75 after he joined the Milwaukee Brewers in 2017.

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Premier League has ‘no plans’ to suspend season as virus cases surge

The Premier League said it had "no plans" to pause the season and had confidence in its protocols after a third match was postponed due ...

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In 2020, sports was about staying safe and speaking out

When the pandemic subsides, what will endure from 2020 in sports?

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Postponed Olympics renew protracted battle with old foe — warnings about weather

Even though the weather conditions during the original games schedule were not as bad as they could have been, experts caution that it’s a dangerous ...

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In remembrance: From Kobe Bryant to Diego Maradona, 2020 saw staggering losses in sports

Sports in 2020 was an unending state of mourning. It was as if every week, sometimes days, another luminary fell, bringing a cascade of condolence ...

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Plenty to unpack after eventful, unforgettable year in sumo

Sumo somehow managed to keep going and provided much-needed distraction in a tough year.

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Bills’ rout of Patriots put exclamation mark on breakthrough season

Don’t let the Buffalo Bills’ polite talk about how the Patriots were merely the next opponent on their schedule fool you.For the team’s longest-serving players, ...

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Yu Darvish headed to Padres as part of seven-player trade

Darvish is in the middle of a career renaissance after struggling upon arrival in Chicago.

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Manchester United rises to second place in Premier League

Three weeks after crashing out of the Champions League, Manchester United is looking more like a potential English champion again.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side rose to ...

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Padres finalize deal to acquire ace Blake Snell from Rays

The upstart Padres finalized their acquisition of the ace left-hander from the Rays on Tuesday, sending four prospects in exchange for the 2018 AL Cy ...

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Rising number of COVID-19 cases sparks call to suspend Premier League

There were 18 positives after 1,479 tests on players and club staff from Dec. 21-27, the Premier League said Tuesday.

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Beleza defeats Urawa to win fourth straight Empress Cup

Tokyo Verdy Beleza claimed the Empress Cup for the fourth straight year Tuesday, beating Nadeshiko League champion Urawa Reds 4-3 following a pair of second-half ...

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China drops 76ers broadcasts as Hong Kong row rumbles on

Chinese streaming giant Tencent has stopped live broadcasts of games by the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers in apparent protest at their new president Daryl Morey, who ...

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Ibu Yamazaki’s late shot seals Winter Cup comeback for Meisei

The alma mater of Wizards star Rui Hachimura staged a dramatic fourth-quarter rally to triumph over Kyoto Prefecture's Higashiyama.

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Padres reportedly acquire Cubs’ Yu Darvish in seven-player deal

The San Diego Padres' whirlwind offseason continued Monday night as they reportedly acquired right-hander Yu Darvish from the Chicago Cubs as part of a seven-player ...

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Vegalta reappoints former manager Makoto Teguramori

Vegalta Sendai has reappointed their former manager Makoto Teguramori, who guided them to their best-ever second-place finish in 2012, the J. League top-division side said ...

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Athletes head into 2021 uncertain over Olympic qualification outlook

Many Olympic sports are still working to schedule events that will give athletes a fair opportunity to earn a place in the postponed Tokyo Games.

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Coronavirus cases at Man City see game at Everton called off

A growing coronavirus outbreak at Manchester City led to the postponement of Monday's Premier League match at Everton and forced the team to close its ...

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Hanshin to launch women’s baseball team in 2021

Former Tigers outfielder Yuya Nohara will manage the 17-player team, which is scheduled to begin competitive play in April.

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Washington releases 2019 first-round pick Dwayne Haskins

Washington released 2019 first-round pick Dwayne Haskins on Monday, less than 24 hours after he committed three turnovers in a loss to Carolina and in ...

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Injury-hit Kakuryu proceeds with caution toward New Year meet

Yokozuna Kakuryu held his final practice of the year on Monday ahead of the upcoming New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, where he hopes to overcome ...

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Diversity on display at Winter Cup

Rui Hachimura — born to a Japanese mother and Beninese father — is the most prominent example, but the number of players with at least ...

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Powerhouse Oka Gakuen captures Winter Cup title

The dominant Oka Gakuen High School girls basketball program added another Winter Cup trophy to its mantle with an 89-65 win over Tokyo Seitoku University ...

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Packers rout Titans in snowy conditions at Lambeau Field

Playing in the cold at Green Bay is tough for road teams, anyway. The Packers showed they can thrive on the frozen tundra of Lambeau ...

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Barcelona’s Lionel Messi mum on immediate plans, hints at possible future in U.S.

As of Jan. 1, Messi can negotiate with other clubs as his contract with Barcelona is set to expire in June.

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Johnny Weir among three elected to U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame

Three-time U.S. champion Johnny Weir has been elected to the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame.Also elected to the Class of 2021 are Sandy Schwomeyer ...

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‘Big Sam’ engineers another masterful performance against Liverpool at Anfield

A trip to Anfield has become the most daunting match in English soccer.Unless, that is, you are Sam Allardyce."Big Sam” — as he is widely ...

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Agent says Roger Federer will miss Australian Open

Roger Federer is withdrawing from the Australian Open while he continues preparing to return to action after two operations on his right knee, his agent ...

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Hall of Fame knuckleballer Phil Niekro dies at 81

Niekro won 318 games over his 24-year career, which ended in 1987 at age 48 after he made one final start with the Braves.

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Naomi Osaka named AP Female Athlete of Year after season of activism, success on court

"Her activism has shone a light on how we as individuals and sports leagues can collectively make an impact,” WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon ...

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Rika Kihira nails quad to seize second straight national title

The 18-year-old opened with the quad salchow and cruised past her only real setback, an under-rotated triple axel that followed, to overcome a powerful challenge ...

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Kawasaki reaches Emperor’s Cup final with win over J3’s Akita

Young guns Kaoru Mitoma and Ao Tanaka delivered a goal in each half Sunday as J. League champion Kawasaki Frontale eased into the Emperor's Cup ...

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Top-favorite Chrono Genesis wins 65th Arima Kinen

Jockey Yuichi Kitamura steered top-favorite Chrono Genesis to victory in the 65th running of the Arima Kinen on Sunday, the third career Grade 1 triumph ...

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Dolphins stun Raiders to move step closer to playoffs

With a defender dragging him down by his facemask, Ryan Fitzpatrick still managed to launch the pass that might have saved the Miami Dolphins' season.Just ...

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Oscar De La Hoya says boxing has a place for Mike Tyson and Jake Paul

Two of the most talked-about boxing matches in 2020 — the return of a 54-year-old Mike Tyson to the ring and an exhibition fight between ...

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Kento Momota wins Japan title to cap comeback after car crash

Badminton's top men's player held off a spirited challenge by Kanta Tsuneyama to claim his third straight national championship.

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Struggling Arsenal lifts gloom with win against Chelsea

Arsenal finally lifted the gloom surrounding the club and beat Chelsea 3-1 on Saturday, with a strong performance from younger players, as the Gunners won ...

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Rangers sign Fighters pitcher Kohei Arihara to $6.2 million contract

The 2015 Pacific League Rookie of the Year will follow in the footsteps of Yu Darvish and Yoshinori Tateyama, who also pitched for the Fighters ...

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Shooting star: Stephen Curry makes 105 straight 3s post-practice

Marveling once again, Stephen Curry made 105 straight 3-pointers from the same baseline spot to finish practice Saturday leading into Golden State's game Sunday game ...

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Yuzuru Hanyu lifts spirits with stirring performance in national championship victory

Hanyu, who suffers from asthma and skipped this year's Grand Prix series due to the added concern of coronavirus infection, said he hopes his performance ...

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Hawks ace Kodai Senga can’t persuade club to post him, gets raise instead

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks ace Kodai Senga said Saturday his desire to move to the majors is unchanged, but he's no closer to going overseas via ...

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Winter Cup in danger of being called off early due to coronavirus

On Saturday, the Kaishi Kokusai High School boys team became the seventh squad to withdraw from the tournament since it tipped off on Wednesday.

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Kyrie Irving leads Nets to win over Celtics

Kyrie Irving scored 37 points with eight assists in his return to Boston and Kevin Durant added 29 for Brooklyn on Friday to lead the ...

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Moses Swaibu continues to warn Premier League stars about dangers of match-fixing

When Moses Swaibu stands in front of future Premier League players, warning of the dangers of becoming embroiled in match-fixing, he is speaking from experience.

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Amid anguish of pandemic, sports still offered memorable moments

Sports can inspire even in the bleakest of times. And 2020, despite all the hardships and heartbreak, was filled with such moments.

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Fighters pitcher Kohei Arihara reportedly reaches deal with Rangers

The 28-year-old right-hander had been seeking a move to the majors via the posting system after six seasons with the Fighters in the Pacific League.

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Alvin Kamara ties NFL mark with six TDs as Saints beat Vikings on Christmas

With a red shoe on his right foot and a green one on his left, Kamara tied an NFL record set in 1929 by running ...

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British hockey fears COVID-19 could leave sport on thin ice

Ciaran Long found work delivering books to Northern Ireland's libraries. Luke Ferrara caught on with a team in France before switching to a squad in ...

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Yuzuru Hanyu makes stylish return to competition at nationals

The two-time Olympic gold medalist unveiled his new routine during Friday's short program in Nagano.

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Under cover: In search of the best athletic face mask

The Japan Times tested some of the more prominent consumer face coverings that sports equipment manufacturers have released this year.

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NHL plans to have Canadian teams play in home venues

The NHL anticipates the league's Canadian teams will be able to play games in their home venues when the season starts on Jan. 13."On the ...

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James Harden must quarantine until Friday; could play in opener

The Rockets star was fined by the NBA for violating the league's anti-coronavirus protocols after he was found to have attended a crowded party while ...

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Grampus signs former Japan forward Yoichiro Kakitani; Cerezo adds Adam Taggart

Nagoya Grampus announced the signing Thursday of former Japan forward Yoichiro Kakitani from fellow J. League first-division side Cerezo Osaka, who the same day added ...

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JFA suspends Emperor’s Cup ticket sales over coronavirus

The Japan Football Association decided Thursday to halt general ticket sales for the Emperor's Cup and national high school championships after the government re-tightened entry ...

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Kashima goalkeeper Hitoshi Sogahata retires with fifth-most J1 games

Kashima Antlers and former Japan international keeper Hitoshi Sogahata announced his retirement Thursday, ending his career with 533 appearances in the J. League's first division.The ...

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Kashima goalkeeper Hitoshi Sogahata retires with fifth-most J1 games

Kashima Antlers and former Japan international keeper Hitoshi Sogahata announced his retirement Thursday, ending his career with 533 appearances in the J. League's first division.The ...

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BayStars sign former Twins pitcher Fernando Romero

The DeNA BayStars have acquired former Minnesota Twins right-hander Fernando Romero on a one-year deal worth a reported ¥75 million ($724,000), with a team option ...

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Takakeisho poised for first shot at yokozuna promotion

Takakeisho, a first-time candidate for promotion to yokozuna, leads the three ozeki in the rankings released by the Japan Sumo Association.

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Raptors’ Yuta Watanabe determined to earn regular NBA deal

Watanabe believes he’ll be a good fit for the Raptors’ style of play, especially on the defensive end.

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Yuzuru Hanyu ‘conflicted’ about return to ice at national championships with virus cases surging in Japan

Hanyu skipped this season's Grand Prix series over concerns his asthma would put him at higher risk if he caught the virus.

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Tokushima hires former Real Madrid youth coach Dani Poyatos as manager

J. League second-division champions Tokushima Vortis on Thursday named Spaniard Dani Poyatos as the Shikoku-based club's new manager ahead of their return to the top ...

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Former Japan forward Yoichiro Kakitani signs with Grampus

Nagoya Grampus announced the signing of former Japan forward Yoichiro Kakitani from fellow J. League first-division side Cerezo Osaka on Thursday.A Cerezo youth product, Kakitani ...

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Edinson Cavani gets away with throat grab before sending United into League Cup semifinals

Edinson Cavani grabbed an opponent's throat, then grabbed a crucial late goal to send Manchester United into the English League Cup semifinals and a rematch ...

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WADA says Swiss court has overturned swimmer Sun Yang’s doping ban

At stake in a second CAS hearing would be Yang’s chance to compete at the pandemic-delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics now set for July 2021.

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Close calls: Defending champion Chiefs piling up one-score wins

The Chiefs are the first team in NFL history to win six straight games by a single score.

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German club Dynamo Dresden sells 72,000 tickets for match played in empty stadium

The total of 72,112 tickets sold for Tuesday's German Cup game against Darmstadt was more than double the capacity of Dresden's stadium.

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PL MVP Yuki Yanagita and Hawks agree to ¥610 million contract for 2021

Fukuoka Softbank Hawks outfielder Yuki Yanagita, who won his second Pacific League MVP award last week, signed a contract worth ¥610 million ($5.9 million) plus ...

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Hidden gems await fans who dig deep into sumo’s lower divisions

The sport's second and third ranks offer a chance to see both rising stars and wily veterans engaged in the sort of exciting bouts that ...

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World badminton No. 1 Kento Momota earns win one year after car crash

Japan's Olympic gold-medal hopeful won his first competitive match since suffering a fractured eye socket after the Malaysia Masters in January.

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B-Corsairs sign 19-year-old phenom Yuki Kawamura on short-term deal

The Tokai University student made waves last season as the B. League's youngest-ever player during a stint with the NeoPhoenix.

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NBA studying ways to bring games back to China in future

The NBA is still looking at scenarios that could allow teams to play in Europe and China again next season, deputy commissioner Mark Tatum said ...

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Phillies promote Sam Fuld to general manager

Sam Fuld went from interviewing to become Boston's manager to general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies.Fuld was promoted to GM on Tuesday, filling the role ...

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Man City, second-division Brentford into League Cup semifinals

If Manchester City’s presence in the semifinals of the English League Cup is no real surprise, the same cannot be said about second-division club Brentford.By ...

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NHL’s COVID-19 rules require coaches to mask up behind bench

NHL coaches are required to wear masks behind the bench, owners are barred from having face-to-face meetings with players, and teams can travel with no ...

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NHL teams begin to unveil advertisements on helmets

There will be advertisements on NHL players' helmets this season as teams try to recoup revenue lost to the pandemic.The New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals ...

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We The South: Raptors settling into their Tampa home

Just like last year, the Toronto Raptors are opening the season at home, against the New Orleans Pelicans, and every available ticket for the game ...

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Reysol’s Michael Olunga named J. League MVP; Frontale packs Best XI with nine selections

The Kenya international became the first African player to be recognized as the league's top player after scoring 28 goals this season.

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Warren Cromartie won’t continue role as Yomiuri adviser in 2021

The three-time Best Nine selectee returned to the Giants in 2019 at manager and former teammate Tatsunori Hara's request.

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Howie Kendrick retires after 15 seasons in majors

Howie Kendrick is retiring after 15 major league seasons that included earning NLCS MVP honors during the Washington Nationals’ 2019 World Series run.Kendrick announced his ...

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Veteran Daisuke Matsuzaka signs new one-year deal with Lions

Former big-leaguer Daisuke Matsuzaka has signed a new one-year deal with the Saitama Seibu Lions, the Pacific League club said Monday.The 40-year-old right-hander rejoined the ...

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Packers, Seahawks, Ravens and Chiefs each have seven Pro Bowl selections

Led by their star quarterbacks, the Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers each had seven players selected to the Pro Bowl.The Baltimore ...

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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confident season can be held safely

The NBA found a way to get through last season amid a pandemic. Adam Silver sees no reason why the same cannot ring true again ...

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Playing without fans ‘horrible’ and ‘ugly,’ says Lionel Messi

Barcelona's Lionel Messi has explained how tough it has been to play without fans in the last year due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, likening ...

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Wizards’ Rui Hachimura to miss three weeks with severe eye infection

The second-year forward is expected to sit out Washington's opening 10 games of the shortened 72-game season.

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Nadeshiko Japan’s Mana Iwabuchi joins Aston Villa in England’s WSL

Japan captain Mana Iwabuchi has signed for Women's Super League team Aston Villa.The 2011 World Cup winner is joining in January from INAC Kobe Leonessa ...

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Sunflowers manage to bloom in All-Japan Championship final without injured Ramu Tokashiki

The team lost Tokashiki during the quarterfinals Wednesday in an injury that may also have a major effect on the national team’s pursuit of gold ...

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College Football Playoff seems destined to change amid mounting frustration

The backbone of the sport, it's economic engine, is the passion fans have for it. But if too many customers — and participants — are ...

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NHL finalizes agreement for 56-game season in 2021

Hockey is set to return Jan. 13 after the NHL and the players completed a deal Sunday to hold a 56-game season that would include ...

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Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton named BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year

Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton capped another successful year by claiming the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year prize on Sunday.The 35-year-old driver, who ...

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Alabama headlines familiar quartet in College Football Playoff

A season filled with uncertainty brought on by the pandemic will end with a perfectly predictable College Football Playoff.Alabama vs. Notre Dame. Clemson vs. Ohio ...

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Yuta Watanabe signs two-way contract with Raptors

The 26-year-old Japanese forward will potentially play his third season in the NBA following two seasons spent moving between the Memphis Grizzlies and Memphis Hustle ...

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Manchester United dominates Leeds to roar back into Premier League title race

The easy win put United ahead of Tottenham, which swept United aside 6-1 in October but is now mired in problems of its own.

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Jets avoid winless season with victory over Rams

After 51 weeks and 13 games without a win, the Jets finally earned the chance to celebrate with pride.

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Coastal Carolina and Cincinnati headline Bowl Day snubs

Once again, Group of Five teams have no representation in the College Football Playoff. That’s been the case every year since the current format was ...

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Kenichiro Fumita and Yuki Takahashi win at wrestling nationals

Tokyo Olympic team member Kenichiro Fumita, the reigning 60-kg Greco-Roman world champion, won his third national title and his first in two years at Japan's ...

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Former Sanfrecce star Hisato Sato retires with 161 J1 goals

Former Japan forward Hisato Sato, whose 161 top-flight goals are the second-most in J. League history, drew the curtain on his 21-year professional career Sunday, ...

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Sunflowers come back to beat Antelopes in Empress Cup final

Guard Saori Miyazaki led the team to their eighth straight title just one day after ace forward/center Ramu Tokashiki's ACL injury was announced.

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Officials expect Roger Federer and other top players for Australian Open

The sport's biggest stars are expected to join the first Grand Slam of the year, which has been pushed back to Feb. 8 following negotiations ...

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How many goal landmarks are left for Lionel Messi?

The Barcelona star matched a record set by Brazilian legend Pele on Saturday with his 643rd goal for Barcelona.

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CFP semifinal moved from Rose Bowl to AT&T Stadium in Texas

The College Football Playoff semifinal scheduled to be played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Jan. 1 is relocating to the Dallas Cowboys' stadium ...

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Russell Westbrook debuts for Wizards in preseason win over Detroit

Russell Westbrook made his Washington Wizards debut. Nikola Vucevic pushed Orlando out to a fast start against the Charlotte Hornets.And, the Atlanta Hawks won a ...

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Cricket Australia mulls swapping test venues after COVID-19 spike

Cricket Australia will consider swapping the third and fourth tests of Australia’s cricket test series against India due to a COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney where ...

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J. League wraps up season of obstacles and new records

Frontale's dominance, Michael Olunga's tally and "King Kazu" Miura's endurance were among the many storylines fans enjoyed in a season disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.

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Bills beat Broncos for first AFC East crown since 1995

The Buffalo Bills captured their first AFC East title in a quarter-century Saturday when 24-year-old quarterback Josh Allen threw for two touchdowns and ran for ...

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Outgoing Cerezo boss Miguel Lotina to take over S-Pulse

Spaniard Miguel Angel Lotina, who is stepping down as Cerezo Osaka manager at season's end, will manage J. League first-division rival Shimizu S-Pulse next season, ...

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Ulsan beats Persepolis to win Asian Champions League

Ulsan Hyundai of South Korea came from behind to defeat Persepolis of Iran 2-1 and become the champion of Asia for the second time on ...

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Alabama’s Nick Saban thrives as SEC’s Coach Killer

They keep trying to knock him off.Occasionally, they're successful.A Kick Six here. A Joe Burrow there.In the end, though, no one in the Southeastern Conference ...

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Nagoya secures third place, ACL playoff berth with win on final day of J. League season

Nagoya started the day a point ahead of fourth-place Cerezo and two clear of fifth-place Antlers, who both stayed put in the standings after drawing ...

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Women’s basketball star Ramu Tokashiki tears ACL

The injury deals a major blow to Japan’s chances of winning Olympic gold on home soil next year.

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Russian doping ban not worth paper it’s printed on

"So they can’t fly their flag or sing the anthem at the games for another two years?” said Travis Tygart, CEO of the U.S. Anti-Doping ...

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Oscar Colas ready to apply lessons learned in Japan on road to MLB

After a tumultuous year away from baseball, powerful outfielder Oscar Colas said he is now ready to sign with a big league club.

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Olympic karate favorite Ryo Kiyuna contracts coronavirus

Ryo Kiyuna, the favorite to win men's kata gold when karate makes its Olympic debut at the Tokyo Games, has contracted the coronavirus, his master ...

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Sara Takanashi places third in women’s World Cup opener

The competitors were forced to contend with difficult conditions, with a relentless tailwind causing even the most well-credentialed jumpers.

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Esports will be medal event at 2022 Asian Games

Esports has been named as a full medal event for the 2022 Asian Games, a major step towards the mainstream for a sport that has ...

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Nicole Schmidhofer injures knee in crash; Corinne Suter wins season’s first downhill

Corinne Suter won the first women's World Cup downhill of the season and Nicole Schmidhofer was injured in a high-speed crash that sent her through ...

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Sergio Perez to race with Red Bull in 2021

Mexican driver Sergio Perez will race alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull next season, the Formula One team said Friday.Perez, who will replace Alexander Albon, ...

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NHL reaches tentative deal for 56-game season

The National Hockey League and its players reached a tentative deal Friday to hold a 56-game season in 2021, pending the approval of each side's ...

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Carp’s Ryosuke Kikuchi captures eighth straight Golden Glove

Kikuchi's award capped off a historic season in which the second baseman did not commit a single error for the Central League side.

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Paris 2024 chief says breakdancing included to reach out to youth

The inclusion of breakdancing at the 2024 Olympics may been surprising but organizers were drawn to the sport's potential to attract a younger fan base ...

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The Rui effect: Wizards capitalize on Japanese star to expand global reach

The club has capitalized on Rui Hachimura's first season with localized content that has generated enthusiasm in Japan and drawn praise from NBA officials.

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In wake of Indians’ decision, Blackhawks stay with team name

The Chicago Blackhawks are going to remain the Blackhawks and there is no sign of a change coming anytime soon.Speaking publicly for the first time ...

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Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski wins FIFA award as best men’s player

The Poland captain is the second player in 13 years to deny Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo the honor.

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Coaches’ challenge stays in NBA, game-night rosters go to 15

The NBA coach’s challenge is back, and here to stay.Following the recommendation from the league’s competition committee, the NBA’s board of governors voted Thursday to ...

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Asian Champions League reaches final after long 2020 campaign

The longest Asian Champions League tournament in history ends on Saturday — more than 11 months after the first ball was kicked — when Ulsan ...

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Russia’s Olympic doping ban halved, but flag barred from Tokyo Olympics

The ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport drew criticism for anti-doping officials who claimed that Russia was not sufficiently punished for its state-sponsored ...

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Tokyo Olympics will still dominate crowded 2021 sports calendar

Tokyo 2020 officials are determined to go ahead next year, even if the pandemic has not receded.

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Tomoyuki Sugano, Yuki Yanagita win MVP honors in NPB

The Giants ace and Hawks slugger each won the award for the second time.

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Two-time Indy 500 champion Takuma Sato keeping foot on gas at age 43

After winning his second Indianapolis 500 in August at age 43, Takuma Sato feels he can still improve and reach greater heights in the racing ...

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Rockets star James Harden won’t address reports about wanting to leave Houston

Given the chance to address months of speculation that he wants to be traded from the Houston Rockets, James Harden sidestepped questions more deftly than ...

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Gamba secure Emperor’s Cup, Asian Champions League berths with victory

Gamba Osaka booked their spot in next year's Asian Champions League and this season's Emperor's Cup on goals by Shu Kurata and Patric in a ...

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Jose Mourinho left miffed as Liverpool scores late winner against Tottenham

It was all going pretty much according to plan for Jose Mourinho and his familiar rope-a-dope tactics.In fact, as the clock ticked toward stoppage time ...

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How putting on a mask raised Naomi Osaka’s voice

In 2020, Osaka found her voice and the self-possession to speak up when and how she saw fit, a massive leap for the global superstar.

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IPC confirms ‘period of stay guidelines’ for Tokyo Paralympics

Athletes taking part in the postponed Tokyo Games have been asked to arrive at the Paralympic village no earlier than seven days before the start ...

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Indians’ upcoming name change gives some groups hope for future

Colorful names for teams are nearly as old as team sports themselves.But as a growing movement aims to right the wrongs of the past, including ...

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MLB to add Negro League players, stats to official records

"It is MLB’s view that the Committee’s 1969 omission of the Negro Leagues from consideration was clearly an error that demands today’s designation,” the league ...

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Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda to drive in F1 with AlphaTauri in 2021

The 20-year-old will become the first Japanese driver to race in Formula One since Kamui Kobayashi drove for Caterham in 2014.

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Unbeaten Floyd Mayweather, Laila Ali elected to Boxing Hall of Fame

Floyd Mayweather, who captured 11 world titles in five weight divisions and retired unbeaten, former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, and Laila Ali have been elected ...

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Tokyo Olympic torch relay to still traverse Japan’s 47 prefectures

The Tokyo Games organizing committee confirmed Tuesday that the domestic leg of next year's Olympic torch relay will pass through 859 municipalities across Japan's 47 ...

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Pistons ready for fresh start after offseason overhaul

This offseason was such a whirlwind for the Detroit Pistons, it was easy to forget that Blake Griffin is still part of the roster — ...

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American rikishi recalls extremely wild times in sumo world

Details on the now 71-year-old’s career had been lost to the mists of time until the California native resurfaced in sumo circles online in recent ...

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Seagulls deny Frontiers on final play of X Bowl to return to X League summit

The Obic Seagulls made their long-awaited return to the X League summit Tuesday night, knocking off the league’s current dynasty.

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Ayumu Goromaru says upcoming retirement part of plan that began after college

The former Japan national team star fullback said he always planned to retire the year he turned 35.

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No place like home: Giannis Antetokounmpo agrees to extension with Bucks

His decision means the Bucks will hang on to their biggest star since Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

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Alabama leads way in College Football Playoff rankings as season winds down

Alabama, Notre Dame, Clemson and Ohio State will enter championship weekend in position to make the College Football Playoff with very little drama.In fact, where ...

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Lamar Jackson returns to save Ravens in win over Browns

Lamar Jackson's only thought was to rescue his teammates.Like any other superhero.Jackson emerged from the locker room, saved the game and maybe Baltimore's season with ...

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Texas eyed for single-site NCAA women’s basketball tournament

UConn coach Geno Auriemma wasn't surprised that the NCAA women's basketball tournament will be played in one geographical area. It just makes the most sense.The ...

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England faces contrasting RWC challenges from Argentina and Japan

England should go into the 2023 World Cup confident but wary after being grouped with Argentina and Japan, plus probably another Pacific island nation, in ...

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Nadeshiko star Mana Iwabuchi leaving INAC to join Aston Villa

The Japan Times has learned that the longtime Japan international will sign for the Women's Super League side early next week.

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Cleveland Indians owner says name won’t change in 2021

The Cleveland Indians are changing their name — they just don't know to what or when.Expressing that "it's time," owner Paul Dolan said that after ...

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Jamie Joseph wants Sunwolves alternative in build-up to World Cup

The Brave Blossoms head coach wants to recreate the preparations that led to Japan's quarterfinal run on home soil in 2019.

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Shonan’s Mitsuki Saito joining Rubin Kazan on loan; teammate Toichi Suzuki heads to Lausanne

Shonan Bellmare midfielder Mitsuki Saito will join Russian outfit Rubin Kazan on an 18-month loan deal starting in January, while fellow midfielder Toichi Suzuki will ...

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A Lim Kim stages record-tying rally to win U.S. Women’s Open; Hinako Shibuno slips to fourth

The 25-year-old South Korean erased a five-shot gap with birdies on the final three holes a day after the final round was postponed by rain.

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Brave Blossoms to face England, Argentina at 2023 Rugby World Cup

Japan was drawn against its former head coach

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Chiefs clinch AFC West with win over Dolphins

Patrick Mahomes took a 30-yard sack before he got the Kansas City Chiefs going in the right direction.The Chiefs overcame a 10-point deficit and four ...

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Olympic favorite Ryo Kiyuna seizes ninth straight title at karate championships

Kiyuna said he’s never competed with records in mind, and insisted his nine straight titles are the result of his dedication to fulfill his own ...

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Cleveland to drop Indians nickname after 105 years

Cleveland's move away from Indians follows a similar decision earlier this year by the NFL's Washington Football Team, which was previously known as the Redskins.

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‘Explosive’ Kevin Durant scores 15 in preseason debut with Nets

Kevin Durant still can score in bunches.The four-time NBA scoring champion returned from a lengthy injury absence to score 15 points in his debut with ...

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New Zealand beats West Indies in second test

New Zealand achieved the first objective of the domestic summer when it swept the West Indies in a two-test series to join Australia atop world ...

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Hinako Shibuno’s title bid on hold as final day of U.S. Women’s Open delayed due to rain

Shibuno said she had been "totally prepared" and was bracing to begin the final push of her title bid before the competition was stopped.

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Late extra-time penalty crushes Vissel Kobe’s dreams of ACL glory

After their 2-1 semifinal win in Qatar, South Korea's Ulsan Hyundai will face Iranian club Persepolis in the decider.

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Marathon man: Hifumi Abe clinches Olympic judo berth in epic playoff

Hifumi Abe booked his place in the Tokyo Olympics next summer with a yusei win in a grueling 24-minute bout against reigning world champion Joshiro ...

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Kwansei Gakuin earns emphatic Koshien Bowl triumph

In a rematch of Japan's most infamous American football game, Kwansei Gakuin University defeated Nihon University 42-24 in Sunday's Koshien Bowl.Kwansei quarterback Kosei Okuno, hospitalized ...

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Kohei Uchimura’s national title an important step toward Olympics

The two-time Olympic champion will focus on the horizontal bars at the postponed Tokyo Games.

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Columbus wins second MLS title after beating Seattle

No matter the absences from the lineup or the opponent, Caleb Porter implored the Columbus Crew to impose themselves.Porter's players responded, putting aside the recent ...

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Russia’s Umar Kremlev defies Olympic concern to win boxing vote

Umar Kremlev of Russia was elected president of the troubled International Boxing Association on Saturday despite concerns of Olympic officials about his candidacy.The governing body, ...

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‘Blossoming’ Kotaro Matsushima bags hat trick in win over Bristol

Clermont coach Franck Azema praised "blossoming" Kotaro Matsushima after the Japan fullback scored a hat trick of tries as the Top 14 giant opened their ...

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Cancer survivor Rikako Ikee’s first race of 2021 set for Jan. 10

The 2018 Asian Games MVP, who returned to competition this summer following her recovery from leukemia, is now aiming to participate in the 2024 Paris ...

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She scores! Sarah Fuller kicks two extra points for Vanderbilt

Sarah Fuller has a football keepsake from her history-making moment. The ball from her second extra point likely is headed to the College Football Hall ...

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S-Pulse to acquire Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda from Portimonense

Struggling J. League first-division side Shimizu S-Pulse is set to ink Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda on a loan deal from Portuguese top-flight club Portimonense, S-Pulse ...

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Olympic Summit supports staging of Tokyo Games despite pandemic

The meeting of key Olympic representatives, chaired by IOC chief Thomas Bach, expressed its "full commitment to and confidence in" the postponed event.

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Last Olympic sport climbing spots assigned against Japan’s wishes

Kai Harada and Miho Nonaka sealed Japan's final sport climbing berths in next summer's Tokyo Olympics after the Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed a ...

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Hinako Shibuno passes big test and hangs on to Women’s Open lead

The 2019 British Open champion's advantage shrunk to one shot, but she stayed in first heading into Sunday's final round at Champions Golf Club.

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Who needs Olympics?: Snowboard great Terje Haakonsen says ‘extreme’ sports just fine with or without games

Terje Haakonsen has been delivering that message since before 1998, when snowboarding made its debut at the Olympics.

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Former major leaguer Kosuke Fukudome returns to Dragons

Former big league outfielder Kosuke Fukudome returned to the Chunichi Dragons, his first pro team, the Central League club announced Saturday.The 43-year-old left-handed hitter joined ...

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World Athletics President Sebastian Coe confident Tokyo Olympics will happen

However, a cloud of uncertainty still hangs over the Tokyo Games, including questions about how many spectators will be allowed into venues.

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Vissel Kobe’s Asian Champions League semifinal moved to different venue

The Asian Football Confederation said Friday it has shifted Sunday's Asian Champions League east zone semifinal between Vissel Kobe and Ulsan Hyundai from Doha's Al ...

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Braves’ Marcell Ozuna becomes first NL player to be named MLB’s top DH

The Atlanta Braves' Marcell Ozuna made history on Friday, becoming the first player from the National League to win the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter ...

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West Ham exploits Leeds’ set-piece weakness to rally for win

Leeds’ weakness at set-pieces haunted it again as West Ham came from behind for a 2-1 win at Elland Road in the English Premier League ...

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World Athletics approves Sapporo course for Tokyo Olympics

Sapporo's Olympic marathon course has been approved by World Athletics and a test event has been scheduled for May, organizers for the postponed Tokyo Games ...

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Lewis Hamilton excited to be back after recovering from COVID-19

A happy Lewis Hamilton said he was "super-excited" to be back in action on Friday after being the second-fastest for Mercedes, behind teammate Valtteri Bottas, ...

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Robert Lewandowski up against Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo for FIFA best player award

Lewandowski’s goals led Bayern to a sweep of titles this year — the Champions League, the German league, the German Cup and the UEFA Super ...

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All smiles: Hinako Shibuno takes 3-shot lead at U.S. Women’s Open

Hinako Shibuno can do without the "Cinderella” nickname, just not the smile. That was bright as ever Friday as the Japanese star posted a 4-under ...

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Cam Akers runs wild, Cam Newton benched as Rams rout Patriots

With rookie Cam Akers running wild for the Rams and his defensive teammates thoroughly stifling the Patriots, Los Angeles got a tiny measure of payback ...

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Hinako Shibuno one shot off lead after U.S. Women’s Open 1st round

The 2019 Women's British Open winner missed the fairway just twice in a fine start to the last major of the year.

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Japan to host Akatsuki Five’s remaining Asia Cup qualifiers

Japan, Taiwan, China and Malaysia will play 10 games over a five-day period after most of this year's qualifiers were scrapped due to the pandemic.

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After listening to athletes, USOPC won’t punish Olympic protests

The decision came in response to rising discontent over the IOC's Rule 50, which prohibits athletes from protesting or demonstrating during the games.

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Boston College becomes first school to opt out of bowl game this year

Boston College, which managed to escape the worst of the coronavirus outbreak and the schedule and roster shuffling that has affected so many other college ...

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Michael Phelps says world records unlikely at Tokyo Olympics

The 23-time Olympic gold medalist believes the one-year delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic will prevent swimmers from hitting new marks in Tokyo.

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Nearly 20% of MLS players tested positive for coronavirus during season

The Major League Soccer Players' Association says nearly 20% of the league's players tested positive for the coronavirus over the course of the season.Bob Foose, ...

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First-timers Vissel Kobe advance to ACL semifinals on penalties

After beating Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Vissel face another South Korean team, Ulsan Hyundai FC, on Sunday in their semifinal.

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Racism in European soccer in spotlight after extraordinary scenes of stars refusing to play

Players have taken a knee, unfurled slogans and demanded tougher action only to find European soccer remains infested with racism.

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Kanoa Igarashi poised to ride wave of momentum into Tokyo Olympics

The Japanese surfer and Olympic medal hopeful was preparing for the biggest year of his life when 2020 decided it had other plans.

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Japan mulls keeping celebrities out of Olympic torch relay to control crowds

The Japanese government is considering a scheme to exclude celebrities from running in next year's Olympic torch relay in order to reduce the risk of ...

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Cubs’ Yu Darvish named to All-MLB first team

Darvish was dominant in the 60-game season, his eight wins tied for first in baseball with the Cleveland Indians' Shane Bieber and his 2.01 ERA ...

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Yokozuna Kakuryu becomes Japanese citizen

Yokozuna Kakuryu, winner of six Emperor's Cups, has given up his Mongolian nationality and acquired Japanese citizenship, an official government publication showed Thursday.By meeting the ...

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Japan pledges support for IOC’s efforts to vaccinate Tokyo Olympic athletes

IOC President Thomas Bach indicated that the IOC was considering shouldering the cost of vaccinating athletes and officials for the games.

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Real Madrid advances in Champions League

Madrid needed a victory to guarantee it advanced to the knockout round for the 24th straight season.

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Big Ten audible: Ohio State will face Northwestern for conference title

The Big Ten Conference dropped its six-game minimum requirement for the league championship game Wednesday, clearing the way for No. 3 Ohio State to take ...

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Champions League walk-off ‘lays down a marker’ in racism fight

Players have taken a knee, unfurled slogans and demanded tougher action only to find soccer — their working environment — remains infected with racism.The tipping ...

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NSSU freshman Hidetora Hanada emerges to claim amateur yokozuna title

The Nippon Sports Science University student overcame a talent-studded field at Sunday's All Japan Sumo Championships, the country's top amateur sumo tournament.

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Former Brave Blossoms star Ayumu Goromaru set to retire

The fullback, who played a key role in Japan's famous 2015 Rugby World Cup win over South Africa, will play one more Top League season ...

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NBA coaching attire: Masks are in, jackets are optional

For NBA coaches, masks are required this season. Jackets are not.Rules for coaching attire will be relaxed by the league this year, though not as ...

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NFL union sees no current need for bubble to slow COVID-19

The NFL players believe the season can be completed on time without the league moving into a version of a postseason bubble like other sports ...

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Players walk off after alleged racist comment by CL referee

The group stage game between PSG and Istanbul will now take place on Wednesday after UEFA said it would investigate the actions of the game's ...

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B. League’s Storks and Robots punished over quarantine violations

The Nishinomiya Storks and Ibaraki Robots were censured by the B. League last Friday for letting their import players join team practices before their 14-day ...

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Qatar to allow rainbow flags at 2022 World Cup

Rainbow flags will be allowed in stadiums at the 2022 World Cup after Qatar said it would comply with FIFA rules promoting tolerance and inclusion ...

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Hawks manager Kimiyasu Kudo wins record third straight Shoriki Award

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks manager Kimiyasu Kudo, who led the Pacific League club to their fourth straight Japan Series championship last month, was named winner of ...

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Karate elite await national championships after pandemic hiatus

Sunday's event at the renovated Nippon Budokan will be the first time many of Japan's top karateka have competed since early this year.

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‘Completely smashed’: Oceania gamers suffer esports setback

Despite a global boom, the closure of one of the southern hemisphere's biggest esports leagues has left its players in Australia and across Oceania facing ...

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Surprise! Washington ends Pittsburgh’s perfect season

The Pittsburgh Steelers spent three months shaking off whatever 2020 threw at them. Schedule changes. Injuries to a handful of impact players. The ever-present threat ...

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Giants ace Tomoyuki Sugano made available to MLB teams

The two-time Sawamura Award winner is the fourth Japanese player to be posted this offseason and perhaps the biggest prize, with the Yankees and Red ...

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Athletes’ time at Olympic Village to be restricted during Tokyo Games

The decision by the IOC, intended to limit the risk of coronavirus infections, will reduce the number of athletes participating in the event's opening and ...

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Breakdancing becomes latest Olympic sport, will debut at Paris 2024

Breakdancing became an official Olympic sport on Monday.The International Olympic Committee’s pursuit of urban events to lure a younger audience saw street dance battles officially ...

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SANZAAR open to hub concept for future Rugby Championships

Rugby Championship organizer SANZAAR says it is open to hosting the competition in a centralized location again after this year's edition was reduced to three ...

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LeBron James considers load management, maps future with Lakers

After LeBron James emerged from the longest season in NBA history with a fourth championship ring, he returned home and planned the first Christmas family ...

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Andres Iniesta drives Kobe into ACL quarterfinals; Marinos eliminated

Tournament debutant Vissel Kobe reached the last eight of the Asian Champions League on Monday, dispatching Shanghai SIPG of China 2-0 in the round of ...

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No. 3 Buckeyes await word on ‘The Game’ against Wolverines with plenty at stake

No. 3 Ohio State banked some style points during its rout of Michigan State, but the next step toward any kind of championship for the ...

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‘Shogun’ Spencer Patton hits pandemic-era free agent market ready to play ball

Patton had a solid year under strange circumstances as COVID-19 forced NPB players and teams to deal with a lot as they tried to complete ...

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Teenager Kaine Roberts getting chance to grow with Earthfriends

Newcomer Kaine Roberts is by far the youngest member of the Earthfriends Tokyo Z and has the chance to grow into an elite player.

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Qatar planning for ‘normal’ 2022 World Cup due to COVID-19 vaccines

Sports across the world have resumed in front of limited or no crowds, but the vaccines have provided hope that crowds can return in large ...

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1964 Olympic champion Kinuko Idogawa dies at 81

Kinuko Idogawa, the main attacker of Japan's 1964 Olympic gold medal-winning women's volleyball team, died at the age of 81 of a brain hemorrhage Friday, ...

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FC Tokyo bounced from Asian Champions League in round of 16

The loss dashed FC Tokyo's hopes of reaching the quarterfinals for the first time.

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Giants rise to occasion against Seahawks

Laughed at and mocked for being on top of the worst division in the NFL, the New York Giants now have an impressive win to ...

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Play hard, work hard: Nadecare founder Ami Otaki wants to help players build careers in WE League era

Nadecare, an organization intended to support women’s soccer players in achieving their career goals and raise the sport’s profile in the country, was launched in ...

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Keisei Tominaga looking forward to taking next step with Nebraska

The 19-year-old, who verbally committed to Nebraska a year ago, has been public about his future ambitions.

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MotoGP star Marc Marquez has another surgery on right arm

Six-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez, who has not raced since fracturing his arm at the start of the 2020 season, underwent another operation on ...

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NHL targeting mid-January start date

Time has all but run out on the NHL’s hope to start the season Jan. 1, with the league and NHL Players’ Association now focusing ...

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Napoli renames stadium in honor of Diego Maradona

Italian club Napoli renamed its stadium in honor of former captain Diego Maradona on Friday.The Naples city council unanimously approved the change of name from ...

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Wizards coach Scott Brooks eager to reunite with Russell Westbrook

They’re now reunited in Washington, with Westbrook going to the Wizards earlier this week in a trade that sent John Wall to Houston.

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Japan to host seven-team Club World Cup in 2021

FIFA extended the smaller Club World Cup format for one more year Friday after a 24-team revamp scheduled for China in June 2021 was delayed ...

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Andres Iniesta turning back clock with Vissel Kobe in Asian Champions League

Kobe, making its first appearance in the AFC Champions League, faces Shanghai SIPG on Monday with a place in the last eight at stake.

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Ichiro Suzuki breaks new ground as high school coach

On Wednesday, Ichiro observed practice and began instructing the players from Thursday. On Friday, he practiced alongside the students, while advising them on base stealing.

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Roughly 18% of Olympic tickets sold in Japan to be refunded

About 18 percent of tickets sold in Japan for next year's coronavirus-postponed Olympics will be refunded, Tokyo 2020 organizers said Thursday, with over 3.6 million ...

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Kei Nishikori eager to bounce back after troubled season

The former world No. 4's return to the court has been slow after testing positive for the coronavirus earlier this summer and suffering an injury ...

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‘Last big role of my life’: Olympic village mayor wants unforgettable experience for all

Kawabuchi, who participated in the 1964 Tokyo Games, wants to restore momentum toward next year's event following an increase in negative sentiment due to the ...

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Koya Kitagawa nets first Europa League goal against Arsenal

Forward Koya Kitagawa scored his first Europa League goal on Thursday as Rapid Wien lost 4-1 away to Arsenal in Group B.Trailing by a three-goal ...

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No fans to be allowed at Rose Bowl for CFP semifinal game

No spectators will be allowed at the Rose Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal on Jan. 1 because of COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the ...

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Giants ace Tomoyuki Sugano asks club to post him to majors

Once posted, the two-time Sawamura Award winner will have thirty days to find an MLB club willing to offer a contract or he will return ...

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New GM Kim Ng bullish on Marlins’ future after ‘crash course’

For Kim Ng, the first three weeks as general manager of the Miami Marlins has meant less rest and more coffee.She has been getting to ...

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‘I need it like oxygen’: Top-tier English soccer welcomes back fans

Arsenal fans watched their team play in person for the first time since March, when the coronavirus pandemic forced Premier League clubs to play behind ...

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Cleveland corrects location of John Heisman landmark

After more than 40 years, the city of Cleveland has granted landmark status to the correct birthplace of John Heisman, the namesake of college football’s ...

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Anthony Davis agrees to five-year deal to return to Lakers

Anthony Davis finalized a five-year contract worth up to $190 million to return to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.One day after LeBron James agreed ...

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Adailton strike lifts Tokyo into ACL knockout round

Brazilian striker Adailton scored early as J. League side FC Tokyo held on for a 1-0 Group F win over Australia's Perth Glory on Thursday ...

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Former Japan international Daisuke Matsui to join Sai Gon FC

Former Japan midfielder Daisuke Matsui will join Vietnam's Sai Gon FC from Yokohama FC, the J. League first division club said Thursday.The 39-year-old, part of ...

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Former Japan international Daisuke Matsui to join Sai Gon FC

Former Japan midfielder Daisuke Matsui will join Vietnam's Sai Gon FC from Yokohama FC, the J. League first division club said Thursday.The 39-year-old, part of ...

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Zion Williamson ready to unleash full potential in second NBA season

Zion Williamson expects to unleash a version of himself that is healthier, more demonstrative and less restrained in his second NBA season with the New ...

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Pablo Matera reinstated as Pumas captain

Earlier this week, Matera was stripped of his captaincy and suspended along with two teammates over old social media posts which had been deemed "discriminatory ...

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Fighters make Haruki Nishikawa available to MLB clubs through posting system

The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters said Thursday that center fielder Haruki Nishikawa has been made available for major league clubs through the posting system.Once MLB ...

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Struggling Real Madrid coming up on pivotal stretch

Unable to put a stop to its struggling ways, Real Madrid is suddenly facing a pivotal week.Madrid has only one win in its last five ...

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Rafer Johnson, 1960 Olympic decathlon champion, dies at 86

Rafer Johnson, who won the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics and helped subdue Robert F. Kennedy’s assassin in 1968, died Wednesday. He was 86.He ...

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Tokyo Olympics to require COVID-19 testing of athletes every 120 hours

Organizers plan to require athletes competing at the postponed games next summer to take undergo testing every four to five days, even if they do ...

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Mike Tomlin not letting 11-0 Steelers off hook despite staying perfect with win over Ravens

A COVID-19 outbreak in Baltimore forced the NFL to push the game back three times: first from Thanksgiving to Sunday, then from Sunday to Tuesday, ...

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Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo in celebratory mood after scoring 750th goal in Champions League win

The result and performance will ease some of the pressure on Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo.

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Rockets trade Russell Westbrook to Wizards for John Wall

The Houston Rockets have traded Russell Westbrook to the Washington Wizards for John Wall and a future lottery-protected first-round pick.Both teams announced the trade Wednesday ...

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Romain Grosjean will likely seek psychological help after horrific F1 crash

"There’s going to be some psychological work to be done, because I really saw death coming. When you see images, not even Hollywood is capable ...

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Chiganoura Beya had unique, eventful existence

Opened in 2004, by former sekiwake Masudayama, Chiganoura Beya grabbed the interest of many sumo observers right off the bat for a number of unique ...

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Sixers coach Doc Rivers expresses concern for NBA season as camps open

The first preseason camps of the coronavirus era are formally open, with teams limited for now to individual sessions with one coach and one player ...

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Rui Hachimura thinks Wizards will make playoffs this season

He said the experience he gained during his rookie season will be invaluable in his second year.

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Parkour group urges IOC to keep sport out of Olympics

Organizers of the sport of parkour urged the IOC on Tuesday to reject adding the obstacle course-style street-running event to the 2024 Paris Olympics because ...

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Spanish soccer player receives threats after protest against Diego Maradona

A soccer player from a women’s lower-division team in Spain has received threats after protesting against Diego Maradona.Paula Dapena, who plays for club Viajes Interrias, ...

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Lewis Hamilton tests positive for COVID-19, will miss Sakhir GP

Hamilton woke up Monday morning with mild symptoms and was then informed that a contact prior to his arrival in Bahrain had subsequently tested positive.

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Young players propel Liverpool into C hampions League knockout stage

Jurgen Klopp could count on his kids to see injury-depleted Liverpool through in the Champions League.A first European goal from Curtis Jones secured a 1-0 ...

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MLB launches wood-bat league for draft-eligible prospects

Major League Baseball is creating a minor league for top eligible prospects leading to the summer draft.The wood-bat MLB Draft League is launching with five ...

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B. League financials escape worst of pandemic’s impact

Officials reported on Monday that 2019-20 revenues increased slightly from the previous year despite the cancellation of the season in March due to the coronavirus.

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Pumas’ Pablo Matera suspended and stripped of captaincy for racist posts

The Argentina Rugby Union also suspended two other players, who will not be able to compete in the team's final Tri-Nations match against Australia on ...

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Ready or not, NBA training camps are set to open once again

For the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat, it was the shortest offseason ever. For the eight teams that haven’t played since March, the offseason ...

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Eighth-tier Marine lands home game against Tottenham in F.A. Cup

English Premier League leader Tottenham was drawn to play eighth-tier Marine in the third round of the F.A. Cup in the biggest mismatch in the ...

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Australia star Andrew Bogut retires from professional basketball

Longtime NBA center and Australian star Andrew Bogut announced Tuesday morning from his homeland that he was retiring from all levels of professional basketball.The 36-year-old ...

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Ravens-Steelers rescheduled again by COVID-19 to Wednesday

The Baltimore Ravens' struggle to contain an extended outbreak of the coronavirus forced their rescheduled game Tuesday night against the unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers to be ...

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Newcastle loanee Yoshinori Muto scores first La Liga goal for Eibar

Japan forward Yoshinori Muto scored his first goal since being loaned to Spanish team Eibar, helping them win 2-0 at Real Betis on Monday night ...

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Pacific League far ahead of Central League in NPB arms race

Factors such as pitching have created a gulf on the field, while the PL has also innovated more with online broadcasting and brand marketing.

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Marines pitcher Hirokazu Sawamura to seek deal with MLB club

The Marines have said they will try to re-sign the right-hander, who is represented by Ichiro Suzuki's agent, John Boggs.

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Figure skating great Daisuke Takahashi hoping to emulate soccer’s ‘King Kazu’

Daisuke Takahashi may already be royalty in the eyes of many Japanese figure skating fans, but on Sunday he declared himself the man who would ...

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Derrick Henry batters Colts as Titans take lead in AFC South

Derrick Henry carried the Tennessee Titans into the AFC South lead Sunday.Now the bruising back can focus on other daunting tasks, like clinching the division ...

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Receiver Kendall Hinton shows heart, falls short in start as Broncos’ emergency quarterback

A month ago, Kendall Hinton was the guy you’d contact if you wanted some candy bars or merchandise for a high school fundraiser.On Sunday, he ...

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F1 driver Romain Grosjean escapes fireball after crash at Bahrain GP

Formula One driver Romain Grosjean was trapped in a burning car after it sliced in half and exploded into a fireball, following a crash on ...

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Lionel Messi leads tributes as soccer mourns Diego Maradona

Messi paid tribute on Sunday by stripping off his Barcelona top to reveal a shirt honoring Maradona after he scored the final goal in a ...

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Scary injury to Raul Jimenez overshadows Wolves’ win over Arsenal

The sound of the thud from a clash of heads just added to concern.The game was only five minutes old at the Emirates Stadium when ...

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Almond Eye goes into retirement as Japan Cup champion

Ridden by veteran jockey Christophe Lemaire, the 5-year-old mare won by over a length on Sunday at Tokyo Racecourse.

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Mike Tyson returns to ring, draws in exhibition with Roy Jones Jr.

Mike Tyson showed glimpses of his destructive prime Saturday night during the 54-year-old boxing icon's return to the ring for a lively exhibition bout with ...

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Adapting after coronavirus key to title, Kawasaki’s Shogo Taniguchi says

In a season of challenges brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, J. League first-division champion Kawasaki Frontale charted a blueprint for victory using the unprecedented ...

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All Blacks’ win over Pumas eases pressure on head coach

Ian Foster will have some breathing room after his New Zealand side likely clinched the Tri-Nations Championship with Saturday's win over Argentina.

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Akito Watabe lands first Nordic combined podium of season

Two-time Olympic silver medalist Akito Watabe finished third at a Nordic combined skiing World Cup round in Ruka, Finland, on Saturday, stepping onto the podium ...

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No QBs in Denver, no home for 49ers as COVID-19 sows NFL chaos

The Denver Broncos have no quarterbacks. The San Francisco 49ers have no home stadium or practice facility. And the Baltimore Ravens may not have enough ...

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NBA says Kobe Bryant’s delayed Hall of Fame induction coming in May 2021

Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett will finally enter the Basketball Hall of Fame in May 2021.The NBA said Saturday that the delayed Hall ...

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Amid pandemic, NBA gives teams health protocols for season

NBA players who test positive for the coronavirus this season may have to miss nearly two weeks in some instances before being allowed to return ...

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Jurgen Klopp’s mood sours further as Liverpool drops points late

Already angered by fixture timings in a congested schedule and hindered by a long injury list in his squad, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was given ...

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Vissel fall to Guangzhou Evergrande in first group-stage loss

J. League side Vissel Kobe fell 2-0 to China's Guangzhou Evergrande on Saturday in Asian Champions League Group G action.The loss at Qatar's Al Janoub ...

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Kaori Sakamoto wins first NHK Trophy; Daisuke Takahashi places third

Sakamoto improved on her short program and free skate bests to capture her first Grand Prix victory, while Takahashi finished on the podium in ...

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Pandemic throws wrench in Japan’s plans on basketball court

After the one-year postponement of the Tokyo Olympics was announced in March, Japan’s men’s national basketball team had hoped to use the extra time to ...

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Seventh member of Pakistan cricket team tests positive for COVID-19

A seventh member of the Pakistan cricket team in New Zealand has tested positive for COVID-19 and will join his other infected teammates in quarantine.Six ...

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Keisuke Honda hints at exit from Botafogo over firing of manager

Former Japan international Keisuke Honda has indicated he may leave Brazilian first-division side Botafogo after the firing of manager Ramon Diaz on Friday.Botafogo announced the ...

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Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini suspected of fraud in 5-year FIFA case

Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini are facing a more serious charge of fraud after Swiss federal prosecutors intensified a five-year investigation into the pair’s past ...

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Vanderbilt’s Sarah Fuller to become first woman to suit up for Power 5 football game

Women’s soccer player Sarah Fuller will don a football uniform for Vanderbilt on Saturday and is poised to become the first woman to play in ...

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Cerezo manager Miguel Angel Lotina to step down after season

Cerezo Osaka manager Miguel Angel Lotina will step down at the end of the season, the J. League first division club said Friday without naming ...

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Koki Saito’s transfer to Belgium could be major turning point for young Japanese stars

Yokohama FC forward Koki Saito's move to the Belgian second-tier at the end of the J. League season, could, depending on his future success, dramatically ...

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Daisuke Takahashi makes ice dance debut at NHK Trophy

He retired after the 2014 Sochi Olympics but made a dramatic comeback in the 2018-2019 season before announcing he would switch from singles to ice ...

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Leandro helps propel FC Tokyo to victory in Asian Champions League

The win lifted FC Tokyo to second in the group with seven points from four games.

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Thrills in store as two unbeaten horses lead loaded

It’s once again the time of year for the Japan Cup, one of the most prestigious horse races in the world, and certainly the race ...

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AI system aims to forecast race outcomes

On a winter day four years ago, Takeshi Watanabe, then a graduate student at the University of Tokyo, went to watch the year-end Arima Kinen ...

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Incident-free Japan Series could aid push for fans to attend Olympics

NPB's ability to admit just under 70,000 fans to the series' four games, held across two cities in domed venues, may provide hints to organizers ...

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Refugee team leader says 2020 Paralympics will send important message

Ileana Rodriguez hopes the team of up to six athletes will inspire refugees and asylum-seekers around the world.

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‘A god’: Young Diego Maradona left lasting impact on Japanese soccer

The late legend touched a generation of fans with his effortless talent, but his struggles with substance abuse prevented him from bringing his trademark flair ...

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Washington pounds rival Dallas; Texans surge past Lions

Antonio Gibson ran for three touchdowns, Alex Smith had a scoring pass and Washington at least temporarily moved into first place in the woeful NFC ...

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Men’s 100 world champion Christian Coleman appeals doping ban to CAS

Men's 100-meter world champion Christian Coleman has formally appealed against his two-year ban for missing multiple doping tests, the Court of Arbitration for Sport said ...

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Thousands bid farewell to Diego Maradona in Argentina amid clashes

Tens of thousands of fans, many weeping, filed past the coffin of soccer superstar Diego Maradona on Thursday in ceremonies that mixed head-of-state-like honors with ...

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Hawks put stamp current era with fourth straight Japan Series title

The Hawks are the class of NPB and have created a juggernaut that has earned a place among the league's great teams.

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Unstoppable Frontale establishes dynasty bona fides with third title

The Todoroki Stadium residents dominated from start to finish, showing consistency throughout the most unusual season in J. League history.

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Hawks bulk up big time in NBA free agency

Just like that, the Atlanta Hawks transformed themselves into a playoff contender.A team that averaged less than 25 wins the last three seasons added to ...

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Manchester City advances in Champions League

After the Champions League paused to pay tribute to Diego Maradona, defending champion Bayern Munich and Manchester City won on Wednesday to advance to the ...

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Pele joins world in mourning Diego Maradona

The most heated wrangling over the title of soccer’s greatest player could be found between Diego Maradona and Pele themselves.So often, their squabbling would descend ...

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Giants to allow ace Tomoyuki Sugano to move to MLB via posting system

According to the source, the 31-year-old Sugano will sit down and formally discuss the possibility of a move to the United States with Giants officials ...

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Diego Maradona, one of soccer’s greatest players, is dead at 60

News of the death brought an outpouring of mourning and remembrance in Argentina, becoming virtually the sole topic of conversation.

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Hawks sweep Giants again to clinch fourth straight Japan Series title

SoftBank claimed its seventh title since 2011 and did it with a sweep that was even more dominant than the last one.

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Frontale clinches third J. League title after routing Gamba

Boasting the league's best offense and stingiest defense, Toru Oniki's men set a new J1 point record with four rounds remaining.

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Yuzuru Hanyu set to compete at national championships

Two-time Olympic men's figure skating gold medalist Yuzuru Hanyu plans to compete for the first time this season at next month's national championships, the Japan ...

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Korean Series champion Dinos celebrate with sword and sorcery

After putting Doosan Bears to the sword to clinch their first Korean baseball championship on Tuesday, NC Dinos paid tribute to their owners by celebrating ...

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Japan Series atmosphere adapts to restrictions caused by pandemic

With fans unable to cheer at either of the series' two venues, it's been up to the dominant Hawks to generate excitement on the field.

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Takakeisho’s ascendancy, Terunofuji’s comeback: Thrilling storylines await sumo fans in 2021

Ōzumō closed out the thrill ride that was 2020 with one final flourish.Comeback king Terunofuji pulled off an emphatic win against ozeki Takakeisho in the ...

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Andy Murray backs compulsory vaccines for tennis tournaments

Andy Murray said Tuesday that tennis players should be required to have a coronavirus vaccination before they are allowed to take part in tournaments.With the ...

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Heat and Bam Adebayo agree on five-year, $163 million extension

Bam Adebayo came to the NBA with the goal of providing for his mother and changing her life.His first contract took care of that.And the ...

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World Rugby approves open vote for World Cup host decisions

The World Rugby Council on Tuesday approved recommendations by its World Cup Board for a more transparent process of selecting hosts for future men's and ...

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Tokyo takes first Asian Champions League loss after penalty kick

J. League side FC Tokyo suffered their first Asian Champions League loss on Tuesday, falling 1-0 to China's Shanghai Shenhua on a 72nd-minute Yu Hanchao ...

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Hawks take no-hitter into ninth in Game 3 to move within win of Japan Series title

SoftBank leads the series 3-0 and can sweep Yomiuri for the second straight year with a win in Game 4 on Wednesday.

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‘Man of Mystery’ Yu Darvish evolves into powerhouse on the mound

The Cubs ace re-established his bona fides as one of MLB's best pitchers in his ninth big-league season.

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Jared Goff throws three TDs in Rams’ win over Buccaneers

Jared Goff likes how the Los Angeles Rams are shaping up."We can be as good as we want to be, honestly,” the fifth-year quarterback said ...

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Daniil Medvedev and Dominic Thiem get tennis set for intriguing 2021

No one thinks it’s time to write off Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal — or even Roger Federer — just yet. Well, they shouldn’t, anyway.Still, ...

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NFL expands mask mandate, threatening to discipline violators

The NFL has expanded its mandate for mask usage on the sideline and is threatening discipline for those who violate the league's updated COVID-19 protocols.The ...

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Pope Francis praises NBA players for social justice efforts

Pope Francis met with NBA players at the Vatican on Monday, lauding them as "champions" and saying he supported their work on social justice.The five ...

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Spectators allowed to return — in limited amounts — to sports events in England

Premier League clubs can look forward to welcoming back spectators in limited numbers next month for the first time since March, following an announcement by ...

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Advisory board issues warning to rehabbing yokozuna duo

The Japan Sumo Association's yokozuna advisory body on Monday issued a stern warning to the sport's two grand champions, Hakuho and Kakuryu, over their lack ...

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Virus restrictions lead Norwegian champion to drop Iditarod

Norwegian musher Thomas Waerner said Monday that he won’t defend his title at next year’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race because of restrictions and uncertainty ...

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Fujitsu Frontiers secure eighth straight trip to Japan X Bowl

The Frontiers sealed a 34-3 victory Sunday over the Elecom Kobe Finies in their regular-season finale.

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Hawks still in a class of their own

The team has dominated Japanese baseball — the Climax Series and Japan Series in particular — for almost a decade.

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Dragons ace Yudai Ono wins Sawamura Award

Ono is the ninth Dragons pitcher to win the award and first since Kenshin Kawakami in 2004.

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Takakeisho aiming for promotion to yokozuna after capturing second title

Takakeisho said he plans to put on another dominant performance at the next grand tournament in hopes of reaching sumo's highest rank of yokozuna.

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Patrick Mahomes hits Travis Kelce in last minute as Chiefs edge Raiders

Mahomes passed for 348 yards and led two go-ahead scoring drives in the frantic fourth quarter for the defending Super Bowl champions.

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Liverpool cruises past Leicester without injured stars

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp praised his team's response after watching them earn a dominant 3-0 win over Leicester on Sunday despite a rash of injuries ...

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Daniil Medvedev tops Dominic Thiem for ATP Finals title

Medvedev He beat No. 3 Thiem for the championship after earlier getting past No. 1 Novak Djokovic and No. 2 Rafael Nadal.

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Hawks score early, often to crush Giants in Game 2 of Japan Series

The relentless Hawks put six runs on the board before the end of the third inning and Alfredo Despaigne hit a grand slam in the ...

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Gran Alegria wins Mile Championship for third straight G1 victory

Gran Alegria made a stunning late dash to capture the 37th running of the Mile Championship at Hanshin Racecourse on Sunday and claim her third ...

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Takakeisho beats Terunofuji in playoff to claim second title

The November Basho ended with a bang after the resurgent Terunofuji's victory against the ozeki prompted a winner-take-all rematch.

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Seagulls reach Japan X Bowl after dramatic goal-line stand

The Obic Seagulls extended their 2020 season and punched their ticket to the Japan X Bowl after an extraordinary ending in their season-finale victory over ...

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Mayday for Ireland as England wins with stifling defense

England gave Ireland another comprehensive hiding to the tune of 18-7 at Twickenham on Saturday and took charge of their group in the Autumn Nations ...

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Tomoyuki Sugano’s future bright despite loss in Japan Series opener

The Giants ace is expected to be one of the hottest targets of the MLB offseason if rumors of a posting come to fruition.

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Swimmer Caeleb Dressel sets two world records in Hungary

Caeleb Dressel set a pair of short-course world records Saturday at the International Swimming League final in Budapest, Hungary.Expected to be one of the top ...

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Elizaveta Tuktamysheva and Mikhail Kolyada win at Cup of Russia

Experienced figure skaters Elizaveta Tuktamysheva and Mikhail Kolyada held off challenges from younger rivals to win their events at the Cup of Russia on Saturday.Tuktamysheva ...

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Takakeisho and Terunofuji set up final-day showdown

Ozeki Takakeisho will head into Day 15 with the sole lead, but a win by komusubi Terunofuji would set up a championship playoff with the ...

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Hawks cut Giants down to size in Game 1 of Japan Series

Dating back to 2018 against the Hiroshima Carp, the Hawks have now won nine straight Japan Series games as they attempt to win their fourth ...

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Oita puts Kawasaki’s title celebrations on hold

Oita Trinita forced Kawasaki Frontale to postpone their title celebrations on Saturday, beating the runaway J. League first division leaders 1-0.

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Jurgen Klopp addresses Mohamed Salah’s pandemic conduct, says ‘we are fine’

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said Friday he has dealt internally with Mohamed Salah following the Egypt forward’s attendance at his brother’s wedding in Cairo prior ...

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Drew Brees to miss at least 3 games after Saints place him on IR

The Saints placed quarterback Drew Brees on injured reserve Friday, meaning he'll miss at least three games with rib injuries.Brees was unable to finish last ...

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Raptors denied permission to play in Canada, head to Tampa

The Toronto Raptors will start the NBA season next month in Tampa, Florida, because of travel restrictions by the Canadian government stemming from the pandemic.The ...

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Soccer players in England want heading restrictions as brain injury concerns grow

The decision by the Professional Footballers’ Association followed a meeting of its management committee which assessed research into dementia and neurodegenerative diseases.

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Takakeisho defeats Shimanoumi to take sole lead on Day 13

The title favorite and highest-ranked wrestler still competing took a big step toward his second top-division championship after improving to 12-1.

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Giants and Hawks bring stacked lineups to Japan Series

After surviving a campaign shortened by the coronavirus pandemic, the two sides will be looking to capture the best-of-seven contest beginning on Saturday in Osaka.

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Shohei Ohtani opens up on struggles in ‘pathetic’ 2020 season

The two-way star made little noise for the Angels this year and finished the abbreviated MLB campaign on the bench.

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Rise quarterback Kurt Palandech eager to impress in shortened season

The UNLV graduate's X League debut was delayed until earlier this month due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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NBA’s offseason sprint continues with start of free agency

NBA free agency is usually a weeklong frenzy. Deals get struck, then teams and players must wait a few days before they can sign those ...

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Russell Wilson throws two touchdowns as Seahawks hold off Cardinals

It was a flashback performance for the Seattle Seahawks, and coach Pete Carroll enjoyed the show.A bruising running game. Russell Wilson making plays without being ...

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Japan women learn potential 2021 Rugby World Cup pool rivals

Japan's women's team on Friday learned their potential Rugby World Cup pool phase opponents after the draw was conducted for the tournament to be played ...

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Conor McGregor inks deal for January comeback

Conor McGregor is set to reverse his latest flirtation with retirement with a fight against Dustin Poirier in January, the Irish mixed martial arts star ...

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Frank Lampard says players at risk due to PL’s match scheduling

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has called on the Premier League to scrap early kickoffs on Saturdays to protect player welfare amid a congested schedule.His side ...

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Klay Thompson expected to miss season with torn Achilles tendon

Bob Myers called Stephen Curry to break the devastating news that Klay Thompson had torn his Achilles and would miss another season. Silence on the ...

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Takakeisho, Shimanoumi win to set up showdown for first place

With three days left, the contest remains a battle between the highest-ranked and lowest-ranked rikishi in a pack missing both yokozuna and two of the ...

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Akatsuki Five gets back to work amid pandemic

Japan’s men’s national basketball team hasn’t been able to carry out any team activities since February due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Tomokazu Harimoto, Kasumi Ishikawa lose in first round at ITTF Finals

Harimoto, the 2018 World Tour Grand Finals men's singles champion, and Ishikawa, the 2014 women's singles champion, were named to Japan's Tokyo Olympics team in ...

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IPC encouraged by Japan’s efforts to have spectators at Tokyo Games

Japan is now planning to exempt foreign visitors traveling to the games from its 14-day quarantine requirement if they are from countries or regions with ...

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Timberwolves take Anthony Edwards with top pick in NBA Draft

Edwards was taken by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the No. 1 pick in an NBA Draft delayed multiple times because of the coronavirus pandemic.

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Italy earns right to host Nations League finals

Italy earned the right to host a star-filled Nations League finals that will feature the current No. 1-ranked team and three of the past four ...

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MLB suspends Robinson Cano for 162 games after failed drug test

The 38-year-old Cano will miss the entire 2021 season and lose $24 million in salary.

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Daniil Medvedev books semifinal spot with win over Novak Djokovic

Daniil Medvedev is enjoying the ATP Finals a lot better in his second appearance.Medvedev secured a spot in the semifinals of the season-ending tournament by ...

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Takakeisho, Shimanoumi win on Day 11 to remain tied for lead

On the heels of the leaders at the 15-day meet are komusubi Terunofuji and No. 10 Ryuden, who each improved to 9-2.

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Nebraska coaches confident Keisei Tominaga can make big impact

Hoiberg introduced the 19-year-old as the “Japanese Steph Curry,” a sign of his confidence Tominaga will make a splash in Lincoln, Nebraska.

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Popular rikishi Kotoshogiku and Gagamaru retire from sumo

Veteran ozeki Kotoshogiku hanging up his mawashi means there are now only four men in makuuchi still active who reached the sport’s top division before ...

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NFL to hold virtual Pro Bowl using Madden NFL 21

The Pro Bowl will play out on the EA Sports Madden NFL 21 video game after the real-life version of football’s all-star game was canceled.The ...

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Hunting licenses soar as virus-weary Americans head outdoors

Hunting was a big part of Zane Goucher's youth, when he pursued whitetail deer and ruffed grouse in the Maine woods with his father. He ...

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Japan loses friendly against Mexico in final match of 2020

Japan failed to capitalize on a dominant first-half showing.

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Dominic Thiem beats Rafael Nadal, reaches semifinals at ATP Finals

Thiem clinched a 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (7-4) win on his fifth match point in his first meeting with Nadal since the Australian Open quarterfinals in ...

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Some NBA players may not be available for Tokyo Olympics

The 2020-21 NBA schedule will feature a play-in tournament and an NBA Finals that could run all the way until July 22 — keeping some ...

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Takakeisho claims ninth win to stay tied for lead

The ozeki recovered from his Day 9 loss in a win over Myogiryu, while maegashira Shimanoumi also finished Tuesday at 9-1.

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No mandatory vaccine for Olympics, says IOC chief Thomas Bach

Athletes won't be required to take a coronavirus vaccine to compete at the Tokyo Olympics, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said Tuesday, adding that ...

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Hazmat suits on, star players out as Asian Champions League returns

Two-time winner Guangzhou Evergrande will have to do without star man Paulinho as the delayed Asian Champions League East returns this week with a heavy ...

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Critics question holding costly Tokyo Olympics amid COVID-19 pandemic

Although some say such feelings are unpatriotic or anti-social, a skepticism regarding the wisdom of holding the games is being seen in Japan.

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Pandemic-era Japan Series has more than title chance on the line

The migration of players, fans and officials across the country will serve as a test of Japan's ability to reduce the risk of coronavirus infection ...

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All-Star guard Chris Paul sent to Suns in blockbuster trade

Chris Paul holds a $44 million option for the 2021-22 season, a massive payday that may have kept some teams from trying to trade for ...

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Australian swimmer Shayna Jack banned two years in doping case

Australian swimmer Shayna Jack was banned for two years on Monday for accidental doping, with her sanction expiring days before the start of the Tokyo ...

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New Zealand’s Brent Impey quits as SANZAAR chairman

Brent Impey has quit as chairman of Southern Hemisphere rugby body SANZAAR, saying the four-nation organization is outdated and in urgent need of change.Impey, who ...

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Kim Ng ready to bear torch as baseball’s first female GM

The new Marlins hire has received congratulatory from former first lady Michelle Obama and women's tennis legend Billie Jean King.

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NCAA looking at centralized March Madness in Indianapolis

The University of Maryland-Baltimore County pulled off one of the greatest upsets in American sports history at the 2018 NCAA Tournament, knocking off Virginia to ...

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All Blacks drop to lowest point on world rugby rankings

After back-to-back losses to Australia and Argentina, New Zealand has dropped to third place on rugby’s ranking list, its lowest point since the ranking system ...

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Tennis hub to be centered in Melbourne for Australian Open

The Australian Open and all the regular regional leadup tournaments are set to be staged in Melbourne in January as organizers aim to minimize health ...

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Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu expects tough test against Mexico

Japan's friendly against Mexico on Tuesday should give the Samurai Blue a clear picture of where they stand in the world, manager Hajime Moriyasu said.The ...

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Floyd Mayweather returning to ring for February bout in Tokyo

Mayweather is no stranger to Japan, where he fought an exhibition match against MMA star Tenshin Nasukawa in December 2018.

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Tobizaru pulls off upset of ozeki Takakeisho on Day 9

Takakeisho opened with his customary pushing and thrusting attack, but Tobizaru held his ground despite a roughly 50-kg weight disadvantage.

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B. League All-Star Game to become two-day event

The first night of the All-Star event will feature a skills challenge, dunk contest and three-point contest. The All-Star Game will be played the next ...

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Cardinals stun Bills on Hail Mary in final seconds

DeAndre Hopkins knows that football fans might view his final, winning catch on Sunday as some sort of miracle. Even the players and coaches for ...

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Belgian racing pigeon fetches record price of $1.9 million

New Kim is worth her weight in gold and then some — actually much, much more.A wealthy Chinese pigeon racing fan put down a world ...

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Dustin Johnson dominates on way to first Masters title

His five-shot victory was the largest at the Masters since Tiger Woods won by 12 in 1997.

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Dominic Thiem gets off to winning start at ATP Finals

Thiem outlasted Stefanos Tsitsipas in a rematch of the 2019 final.

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Liverpool and England great Ray Clemence dies at 72

Ray Clemence, the England goalkeeper who won every major European and English title with Liverpool and Tottenham, has died. He was 72.The Football Association confirmed ...

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Emotional Lewis Hamilton equals Schumacher with seventh F1 title

Hamilton only had one title, with McLaren in 2008, when he replaced Schumacher at Mercedes in 2013.

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Takakeisho takes sole lead on Day 8 as Terunofuji picks up first loss

The last remaining ozeki had no trouble getting past Hokutofuji as the November Basho headed into its second week.

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Hawks rally past Marines, advance to Japan Series

SoftBank will aim to win its fourth straight national championship when they face the Central League champion Giants.

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South Korea’s Qatar clash in doubt after six players test positive

Six South Korea players and a member of the team's staff tested positive for the new coronavirus before their 3-2 defeat by Mexico in a ...

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Coronavirus crashes Olympic party for wrestler-coach couple

World 55-kg champion Mayu Mukaida had planned on marrying her long-time coach Shota Shidochi after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

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Former ozeki and 15-year makuuchi stalwart Kotoshogiku retires

Former ozeki Kotoshogiku, the oldest wrestler in sumo's top two divisions, has officially retired from competition and will take on the role of a toshiyori ...

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Dustin Johnson plays like No. 1 and seizes control at the Masters

Even without spectators in November, the Masters promised to deliver more drama with 10 players separated by a single shot going into a weekend filled ...

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Swimmer Ryan Lochte miffed at his times in return to racing

Ryan Lochte is mad, and that’s rare.The 12-time Olympic medalist known for his goofy smile and laid-back attitude was ticked off about his performances in ...

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Pumas post historic win against All Blacks after 13-month layoff

Some of the winning players had tears in their eyes. The losing coach called it historic, and that it was.Argentina shook off more than 13 ...

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Thomas Bach comes to Tokyo as cheerleader for next year’s Olympics

The IOC president will aim to reassure politicians and convince a skeptical public that the delayed games will indeed go on next July.

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BayStars settle on former ace Daisuke Miura as next manager

The Yokohama DeNA BayStars decided Saturday to name former ace pitcher and current farm team manager Daisuke Miura as the Central League club's next manager, ...

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Hawks pounce on Marines’ mistakes to move to brink of Japan Series

A win or a tie in Sunday's Game 2 will send SoftBank to its fourth straight Japan Series.

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Takakeisho, Terunofuji remain tied for lead on Day 7

Former ozeki Terunofuji stands out as Takakeisho's most formidable challenger among the remaining field.

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Vegalta ends 17-game winless run by stunning second-place Gamba

Shun Nagasawa grabbed a hat-trick against his former club as bottom-side Vegalta Sendai ended a 17-game winless run with a stunning 4-0 win away against ...

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Asian Champions League East resumes 8 months after coronavirus suspended

More than eight months since the Asian Champions League was suspended due to the coronavirus, the eastern zone finally resumes on Sunday with teams from ...

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Augusta National cuts ‘Incredible Hulk’ Bryson DeChambeau down to size

It was a very reassuring day at Augusta National.Turns out, the green jacket will not be draped over the biggest, strongest shoulders — not if ...

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Tokyo Samurai gradually changing face of Japanese basketball

The Tokyo Samurai squad, formed in 2014, is a unique presence on the Japanese youth basketball scene.

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Dustin Johnson and Justin Thomas among four tied for lead at Masters

The buzz was back Friday at Augusta National, loud as ever.It wasn't from any of the patrons because they're not allowed in this most usual ...

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Beijing Olympic figure and speed skating test events canceled due to virus concerns

Beijing will no longer host the figure skating Grand Prix Final scheduled for December or the speed skating world championships in February due to the ...

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Japan beats Panama on Takumi Minamino’s second-half penalty

Liverpool striker Takumi Minamino scored a penalty as Japan secured a 1-0 win against Panama in a friendly at the Merkur Arena in Austria on ...

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Former ozeki Kotoshogiku to retire from sumo

The oldest active sekitori, or a member of the two upper divisions in sumo, Kotoshogiku made his debut in January 2002 and earned promotion to ...

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Marlins hire Kim Ng as first female GM in MLB history

She is believed to be the first female GM in the four major North American professional sports leagues, the Marlins said.

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Takakeisho and Terunofuji unbeaten heading into weekend

Takakeisho, the highest-ranked wrestler left in the tournament, easily defeated Kagayaki to stay a perfect 6-0.

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Sports officials seek help thwarting voyeuristic images of athletes

Japan Sports Agency Commissioner Koji Murofushi described the nonconsensual creation and distribution of sexualized images of athletes as "a problem that cannot be overlooked."

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Malaysia’s JDT withdraws from Asian Champions League

Malaysian champion Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) has withdrawn from the Asian Champions League as they are unable to travel to Qatar for the resumption of ...

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Sports at White House will remain changed, even with new president

The traditional Rose Garden ceremony for national championship winners, once a carefree event, has become politically divisive during Trump's term in office.

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World champion runner Salwa Eid Naser faces appeal in doping case

Women’s 400-meter world champion Salwa Eid Naser faced a new legal case Thursday that could see her banned before the Tokyo Olympics.Track and field’s Athletics ...

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Expectations rise as South Korea’s Son Heung-Min reports for duty

The Tottenham star will wear the national team kit for the first time on Saturday when the Taeguk Warriors face Mexico in Austria.

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Former Japan coach Brian Goorjian returns to Boomers for Tokyo Games

California-born Brian Goorjian will take the Australian men's basketball team to a third Olympics after he was hired as head coach of the Boomers on ...

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Braves’ Freddie Freeman, White Sox slugger Jose Abreu win MVP awards

As opening day finally approached, Freddie Freeman had far bigger concerns than perfecting his swing and practicing his scoops.Just being able to walk a few ...

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Lewis Hamilton poised for record-equaling seventh F1 title in Turkey

Having already broken the record for Formula One race wins, Lewis Hamilton can equal the mark for championship titles this weekend at the Turkish Grand ...

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Aussie, Kiwi clubs to meet in Super Rugby crossover in 2021

Clubs from Australia and New Zealand will stage a six-week trans-Tasman tournament next year following their respective domestic Super Rugby competitions.Rugby Australia on Friday confirmed ...

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German sports body condemns vandalism of Jewish memorial

The German Olympic Sports Confederation has condemned an act of vandalism against an outdoor exhibition highlighting Jewish sports stars in Bochum."This cowardly act is a ...

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Eagles appoint former big-leaguer Kazuhisa Ishii as manager

The Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles have appointed general manager and former major league pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii as their new manager, the Pacific League club said ...

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J. League sets early January date for postponed Levain Cup final

The match between Kashiwa Reysol and FC Tokyo, originally scheduled for Nov. 7, was pushed back after Reysol suffered a coronavirus cluster infection early last ...

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Takakeisho maintains perfect start at November Basho

New ozeki Shodai withdrew from the meet on Thursday with an ankle ligament injury.

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Ski jumping World Cup events in Sapporo called off due to coronavirus

Four ski jumping World Cup events scheduled for January and February in Sapporo next year have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, organizers said ...

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T. League officials upbeat ahead of third campaign

Despite the the T. League being forced to open its third season behind closed doors due to COVID-19, officials are hoping to continue to expand ...

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Hope rises for Tokyo Games after gymnastics event sticks the landing

Tuesday also brought a small ray of hope for Olympic organizers, as drugmaker Pfizer Inc. announced its experimental COVID-19 vaccine was 90% effective per initial ...

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JFA to seek coronavirus quarantine exemption for soccer players

Japan Football Association President Kozo Tashima said Wednesday he will ask the government to relax coronavirus quarantine measures for players returning to the country from ...

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Soccer great Diego Maradona leaves hospital after brain surgery

Diego Maradona was released from a Buenos Aires hospital on Wednesday, just over a week after undergoing brain surgery, and will continue his recovery in ...

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New ozeki Shodai pulls out of November Basho with ankle injury

Newly promoted ozeki Shodai pulled out of the ongoing November Grand Sumo Tournament Thursday after injuring his left ankle in an earlier bout.Shodai, who was ...

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Packers QB Aaron Rodgers sees double standards in COVID-19 policy

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said he sees double standards in the safety protocols the NFL has instituted as it tries to complete a ...

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Indians ace Shane Bieber, Reds’ Trevor Bauer win Cy Young Awards

Kenta Maeda, Yu Darvish place second in AL, NL voting.

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IOC President Thomas Bach to visit Tokyo to review Olympic preparations

Bach said in a news conference following an IOC board meeting that the possibility of canceling the summer games will not be on the agenda ...

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Ozeki Shodai sustains first loss of meet, aggravates injured ankle

Shodai suffered his first loss at the November Grand Sumo Tournament on Wednesday and appeared to further aggravate a left ankle injury, leaving his further ...

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Universities offer foreign wrestlers new path to pro sumo

Instead of struggling to land rare stable placements directly, foreigners are instead blazing a path to the pros through collegiate and amateur sumo.

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Former UCLA player Tatsuaki Shojima finds footing with Seagulls

The Tokyo native, who grew up in California, remained positive after missing out on the pros in the United States on the way toward earning ...

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Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson not ready for ceremonial Masters role

Tiger Woods is the defending Masters champion.That didn’t prevent one reporter from asking him about the possibility of serving as Augusta’s honorary starter some day, ...

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Doctor says Diego Maradona needs time and family support to recover

Diego Maradona’s psychologist Diego Diaz says the Argentine soccer hero is in a stable condition in a private health clinic where he is recovering from ...

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Kevin Cash and Don Mattingly win Manager of the Year awards

By the time Kevin Cash pulled Tampa Bay ace Blake Snell from the last game of the World Series, he had already been voted Manager ...

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English soccer chief quits after ‘unacceptable’ comments on race and sexuality

The head of English soccer abruptly resigned Tuesday within hours of making a series of offensive comments on race, gender and sexuality.Answering questions at a ...

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Hanshin pitching icon Kyuji Fujikawa calls it quits after 22 years

Hanshin Tigers pitching icon Kyuji Fujikawa brought down the curtain on his 22-year career Tuesday following his team's 4-0 loss to Central League champions the ...

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New Zealand locks in Super Rugby tournament for 2021

New Zealand Rugby has locked in dates for its domestic Super Rugby competition next year, adding a final in a likely boost to its strained ...

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