Germany hosts Euro 2024 draw as contenders wait to learn fate

The draw for Euro 2024 takes place in the port city of Hamburg on Saturday, when France, England and the other leading contenders will learn the path to potential continental glory that awaits them next summer.

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Eagles to release pitcher Anraku over workplace abuse

The Rakuten Eagles will release pitcher Tomohiro Anraku after investigating troubling allegations of harassment against him, the Pacific League club's president, Masayuki Morii, said Thursday.

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After difficult F1 season, Hamilton admits to self-doubt

Lewis Hamilton has admitted to moments of self doubt after the 38-year-old Mercedes driver's second successive Formula One season without a win.

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Last-gasp effort keeps Urawa alive in Asian Champions League

The defending champion Urawa Red Diamonds stayed alive in the Asian Champions League on Wednesday after retiring striker Jose Kante scored a 90th-minute winner to sink China's Wuhan Three Towns.

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England's Farrell to skip Six Nations to prioritize mental health

England captain Owen Farrell will not be available for the 2024 Six Nations after deciding to take a break from international rugby "to prioritize his and his family's mental well-being."

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Sapporo left out as IOC signals 2030 and 2034 Games hosts

The International Olympic Committee on Wednesday named Salt Lake City, Utah, as its preferred host for the 2034 Winter Olympics, extinguishing Sapporo's hopes of hosting the games.

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Kirishima takes Emperor’s Cup and yokozuna hopes from Takakeisho

Like ships that pass in the night, the yokozuna promotion hopes of ozeki pair Takakeisho and Kirishima briefly intersected on the final day of the November tournament.

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Detroit Tigers sign right-hander Maeda to two-year deal

The Detroit Tigers have signed right-handed pitcher Kenta Maeda to a two-year contract worth $24 million, the major league club said Tuesday.

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Five star Kawasaki ease into Asian Champions League last 16

Kawasaki Frontale cruised into the knockout rounds of the Asian Champions League on Tuesday after a 5-0 win over Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta'zim earned them a fifth group stage win.

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Tigers rookie Murakami and Orix ace Yamamoto named MVPs

Hanshin Tigers pitcher Shoki Murakami and Orix Buffaloes ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto were named MVPs of their respective leagues on Tuesday.

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Oh vows return to top of Japanese baseball for Hawks

The chairman of the SoftBank Hawks, Sadaharu Oh, expressed frustration Monday over the team's third-place finish in the Pacific League.

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Yoshinobu Yamamoto named to third straight Best Nine team

Yoshinobu Yamamoto was the runaway choice as the best pitcher in the Pacific League on Monday, when the winners of NPB’s annual Best Nine awards were announced.

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Free-agent pitcher Kenta Maeda set to join Tigers

Right-hander Kenta Maeda is set to join the Detroit Tigers after agreeing to a two-year, $24 million contract, MLB.com reported Sunday.

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Kirishima achieves goal by honoring stablemaster with title

Ozeki Kirishima said Monday that winning the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament under the name he inherited from his stablemaster made the victory extra special.

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Max Verstappen wraps up record-breaking season in style

Max Verstappen completed a majestic season in familiar style on Sunday, cruising to his record-extending 19th win of the year for Red Bull at an action-packed Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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Jannik Sinner carries Italy to Davis Cup title over Australia

Italy won the Davis Cup for the first time since 1976 as Jannik Sinner crushed Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-0 to seal a 2-0 win over Australia on Sunday in Malaga.

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Lee holds off Hoshino to claim Australian PGA Championship

Min Woo Lee overcame an early wobble to win the Australian PGA Championship by three shots from Rikuya Hoshino on Sunday with a final-round 68, earning the Western Australian the title at Royal Queensland.

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Verstappen on pole as Tsunoda qualifies sixth

Red Bull's Max Verstappen took the final pole position of the Formula One season on Saturday with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc joining the triple world champion on the front row and Japan's Yuki Tsunoda qualifying a surprise sixth at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit.

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Vissel Kobe found own style and bucked adversity in rise to top

After making their mark with a host of big name European imports, Vissel Kobe reached the J. League summit this season led by a core of Japanese stars playing a style far removed from the Barcelona-inspired tactics that initially brought the club success.

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Yuma Kagiyama beats Shoma Uno for NHK Trophy title

Japan's Yuma Kagiyama capped his return from injury with victory at the NHK Trophy on Saturday, edging world champion Shoma Uno, who finished second, in the men's competition.

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Kirishima beats Atamifuji to take solo lead into final day

Ozeki Kirishima put one hand on his second Emperor's Cup by beating rank-and-file underdog Atamifuji in a battle between the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament's two remaining contenders on Saturday.

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Vissel Kobe wins first J. League top division title

Vissel Kobe clinched their first J-League top-flight title on Saturday by beating Nagoya Grampus 2-1 at home in the penultimate round of the season.

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Gianpiero Lambiase embraces role as man in Max Verstappen’s ear

When Max Verstappen joined Red Bull in 2016, all Gianpiero Lambiase knew about the 18-year-old was that he was "this incoming superstar.”

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Super Rugby's Chiefs and Blues to face Japanese clubs in February

The Waikato Chiefs and Auckland Blues will travel to Japan in February for games against top local teams in preparation for the Super Rugby Pacific season, officials said Friday.

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Cowboys dominate Commanders in Thanksgiving showdown

Dak Prescott continued his mastery of the Washington Commanders, and DaRon Bland set an NFL record with his fifth interception return for a touchdown of the season as the Dallas Cowboys rolled to a 45-10 victory in their annual Thanksgiving Day game in Arlington, Texas.

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Lewis Hamilton denies having talks about joining Red Bull team

Lewis Hamilton accused Christian Horner of "stirring" after the Red Bull Formula One boss said a representative of the seven-time world champion approached him about joining the team before the Briton signed a new contract with Mercedes.

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Qatar still reaping benefits of World Cup one year later

One year after the Qatar World Cup, billboards emblazoned with the tournament's official slogan, "All is now," still stand by Doha's roadsides.

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BayStars pitcher Shota Imanaga set to be posted by Monday

Japanese left-hander Shota Imanaga is likely to be posted for negotiations with U.S. major league teams by Monday, according to a report from MLB.com.

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Palestinians fly flags in emotional World Cup qualifier in Kuwait

Palestinian flags and the black-and-white keffiyeh scarf flew high in Kuwait's Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium as soccer fans unleashed their emotions in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

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Rampant Japan dispatch Syria in World Cup qualifier

Japan cruised past Syria on Tuesday with their second successive 5-0 win as Hajime Moriyasu's men remained on top of Group B in the Asian second-round qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

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Italy reaches Euro 2024 after tense 0-0 draw with Ukraine

Italy qualified for Euro 2024 after drawing 0-0 against Ukraine in their final Group C qualifier on Monday, although the Ukrainians can still secure a spot through the playoffs.

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One-day format revived as Australia gatecrashes India's World Cup

India played the tournament's best cricket for nearly six weeks, but it was the familiar sight of Australia celebrating with the trophy as fireworks exploded overhead when the 13th edition of the Cricket World Cup came to a close on Sunday.

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MLB pursuit of Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto gets under way

Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto can begin negotiating with Major League Baseball teams on Tuesday after officially posting as a free agent.

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Moriyasu to opt for tried and tested lineup against Syria

Japan will not leave anything to chance in its "tough" Asian World Cup qualifying match against Syria, manager Hajime Moriyasu said Monday.

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Pat Cummins hails Australia's World Cup title as 'pinnacle in cricket'

Pat Cummins said captaining Australia to World Cup title glory was the "pinnacle in cricket" after his side dashed the dreams of tournament host India with a six-wicket win in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

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Samurai Japan to play two games against European select team

The Japan national baseball team will play a European select team in two practice matches on March 6 and 7 at Kyocera Dome Osaka, NPB Enterprises Inc. said Monday.

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Lions use late rally to edge Bears

Jared Goff overcame a shaky start to lead the Detroit Lions to a dramatic come-from-behind win over the Chicago Bears, as the in-form Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers cruised to easy victories in the NFL on Sunday.

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Novak Djokovic hungry for more after seventh ATP Finals triumph

Novak Djokovic has no intention of slowing down after capping another incredible year with his record-breaking seventh ATP Finals victory on Sunday.

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Elfyn Evans cruises to victory at season-ending Rally Japan

Britain's Elfyn Evans won the season-ending Rally Japan on Sunday after leading for almost the entire race, while newly crowned world champion Kalle Rovanpera finished third.

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France breaks records as trio of teams qualify for Euro 2024

Kylian Mbappe scored a hattrick in France's record-breaking 14-0 thrashing of 10-man Gibraltar as the Netherlands, Switzerland and Romania booked their places at Euro 2024 on Saturday.

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Yang and Hataoka share lead after surge at Tour Championship

South Korea's Amy Yang and Nasa Hataoka of Japan put a little distance between themselves and the field Saturday and share the lead after three rounds of the LPGA's season-ending CME Group Tour Championship in Naples, Florida.

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Takakeisho and Kotonowaka beaten on day of upsets in Kyushu

Ozeki Takakeisho's bid for yokozuna promotion took a hit with a shock loss to No. 4 maegashira Gonoyama, while sekiwake Kotonowaka missed a shot at the outright lead by falling to slippery No. 1 maegashira Ura on Saturday at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

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Japan routs Australia in Asia Professional Baseball Championship

Samurai Japan will take an undefeated record and a lot of momentum into the final of the Asia Professional Baseball Championship on Sunday night.

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Figure skating's Hanyu announces divorce amid slander, stalking troubles

Japanese figure skating icon and two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu announced his divorce on social media Friday, only three months after his marriage was publicized, saying the couple has been troubled by slander, stalking and overheated media reporting.

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Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk to meet for undisputed title

Tyson Fury vowed to deliver a "fight for the ages" as his "historic" clash with Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight title was confirmed for Feb. 17 in Saudi Arabia.

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Japan begins World Cup qualifying in style with win over Myanmar

Asia's soccer heavyweights got off to fast starts in World Cup qualifying, with Japan, Australia and South Korea combining for 17 goals in big wins on home soil on Thursday.

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MLB owners give stamp of approval to Athletics' move to Las Vegas

Major League Baseball owners voted to approve the move of the Oakland Athletics to Las Vegas, the team said on Thursday, ending years of speculation over the club's future.

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Shohei Ohtani wins second American League MVP award

Shohei Ohtani was one of the top hitters in MLB again. He was also one of the top pitchers again.

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Orix ace Yamamoto headed for record first MLB contract

When Yoshinobu Yamamoto hits the market this winter following his posting by the Pacific League's Orix Buffaloes, MLB teams expect his contract will easily surpass the $155 million Masahiro Tanaka received, currently the largest for a Japanese player ahead of his American debut.

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Yankees' Gerrit Cole and Padres' Blake Snell win Cy Young Awards

After several misses in his stellar career, Gerrit Cole broke through and won his first American League Cy Young Award in unanimous fashion, it was announced Wednesday on MLB Network. In the National League, Blake Snell became a two-time winner of the award.

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Top wrestlers' hot starts set stage for dramatic Kyushu tourney

Terunofuji’s absence aside, professional sumo has just produced the most encouraging start to a tournament in several years.

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Rory McIlroy resigns from PGA Tour board

Rory McIlroy, the esteemed golfer who was among the most outspoken opponents of his sport’s swelling ties to Saudi Arabia, has resigned from the PGA Tour’s board.

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Manslaughter arrest made over U.K. ice hockey death

Police on Tuesday arrested a man on suspicion of manslaughter over the death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson, whose neck was cut during a game in Sheffield, England.

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Sinner digs deep to down Djokovic in ATP Finals epic

Novak Djokovic's winning streak was halted at 19 matches as home favorite Jannik Sinner roared to a tight, three-set victory in front of a partisan ATP Finals crowd on Tuesday.

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Thousands line Manchester streets to bid farewell to Bobby Charlton

Thousands of people lined the streets of Manchester on Monday to pay their final respects to Manchester United and England great Bobby Charlton, who died last month at the age of 86.

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Urawa's Ito latest to withdraw from injury-hit Japan squad

Urawa Reds midfielder Atsuki Ito on Monday joined the growing list of injury withdrawals from the Japan squad for its two second-round Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

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Young ozeki duo may be ready to step into spotlight at Kyushu Basho

Sumo moved to its current six tournament a year system in 1958 — a change which brought the number of bouts fought in a calendar year up to 90.

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Eddie Jones expects to to land new job by January

Former Australia head coach Eddie Jones expects to be working again by January, with several national teams and a European club side interested in his services, he was cited as saying in Australian media on Monday.

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Wataru Morishige wins third World Cup men's 500

Wataru Morishige won his third career men's speedskating World Cup 500-meter race, with Japanese compatriot Tatsuya Shinhama finishing second on Sunday, the final day of the season-opening meet.

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Young ozeki duo may be ready to step into spotlight at Kyushu Basho

Sumo moved to its current six tournament a year system in 1958 — a change which brought the number of bouts fought in a calendar year up to 90.

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Japan Series champion Tigers lead way with five Golden Glove winners

Hanshin Tigers second baseman Takumu Nakano continued a banner year by ending Hiroshima Carp maestro Ryosuke Kikuchi’s decade-long reign as the top defensive second baseman in the Central League.

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Shohei Ohtani captures second Silver Slugger award

Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani received his second Silver Slugger Award when he was named the American League's best offensive player at designated hitter on Thursday.

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Naomi Osaka to make return at Brisbane International

Former world No.1 Naomi Osaka will return to the WTA Tour after a break of 15 months at the Brisbane International, a warmup for the Australian Open in January, organizers said Friday.

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Manchester United on brink of Champions League exit after collapse

Manchester United are on the brink of an early exit from the Champions League after blowing a 2-0 lead to lose 4-3 on Wednesday to FC Copenhagen as Marcus Rashford was sent-off in the Danish capital.

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Eagles closer Yuki Matsui set to test MLB free agent market

Japanese left-handed pitcher Yuki Matsui said Wednesday he aims to sign with a major league club as a free agent this offseason.

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Tigers’ triumph resonates in a sumo world full of Kansai natives

Despite a losing record in September that dropped him to the lowest rung of sumo’s fourth tier (sandanme) for the upcoming Fukuoka grand sumo tournament, Naoki Shiomoto has to be feeling pretty great right now.

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Jones interested in coaching Japan again if opportunity arises

Former Japan rugby head coach Eddie Jones said Tuesday that he is interested in coaching the Brave Blossoms again but — so far — he has not received an offer.

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Second-half goals see Kawasaki stay perfect in Asian Champions League

Kawasaki Frontale moved a step closer to the Asian Champions League last 16 with a 4-2 home win over Thailand's BG Pathum United at Todoroki Stadium on Tuesday that took the Japanese side six points clear at the top of Group I.

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Three things we learned from the Brazilian Grand Prix

Max Verstappen and Red Bull continued their domination of the Formula One season on Sunday while their rivals, once again, toiled in frustrated pursuit.

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Reds captain Sakai has season-ending knee surgery

Urawa Reds captain Hiroki Sakai had meniscus surgery on his right knee Monday, the J-League football club said.

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Ito scores second goal of season to send Reims past Nantes

Japan winger Junya Ito hit the winner, his second goal of the season, as Reims beat Nantes 1-0 away in France's Ligue 1 on Sunday.

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Erasmus to coach South Africa at start of new World Cup cycle

Rassie Erasmus is to return as head coach of South Africa for the foreseeable future, he confirmed to local media on Sunday, reprising the position he held when the side lifted the World Cup in 2019.

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Buffaloes to allow ace pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto to move to MLB

The Orix Buffaloes will make ace pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto available to MLB teams via the posting system, the club announced shortly after its loss to the Hanshin Tigers in Game 7 of the Japan Series at Kyocera Dome Osaka on Sunday night.

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Brazil submits letter of intent to host 2027 Women's World Cup

Brazil has submitted a letter of intent to soccer's governing body FIFA to host the 2027 Women's World Cup, the South American country's Minister of Sports Andre Fufuca said Saturday.

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Inami wins LPGA Japan Classic after Hataoka collapse

Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Mone Inami won the LPGA Japan Classic on Sunday after overnight co-leader Nasa Hataoka fell apart in the final round.

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Yuzuru Hanyu performs for first time since marriage

Two-time Olympic figure skating gold medalist Yuzuru Hanyu kicked off his first solo ice show tour Saturday in Saitama.

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In likely farewell, Yamamoto dazzles one last time for Buffaloes fans

There was a simple reason Orix Buffaloes manager Satoshi Nakajima put his complete faith in Yoshinobu Yamamoto with the season on the line and the ace pitcher coming off the worst start of his career.

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Avispa tops Urawa in Levain Cup final for first major title

Avispa Fukuoka won the first major title in club history on Saturday by beating Urawa Reds 2-1 in the J. League YBC Levain Cup final.

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Luis Suarez reportedly set to join Inter Miami

Inter Miami are continuing with their Barcelona reunion plan, as forward Luis Suarez is set to join the Major League Soccer club ahead of next season, according to an ESPN report on Friday.

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All Blacks captain Sam Cane to join Suntory

All Blacks captain Sam Cane will join Japanese club Suntory for the 2024 season, New Zealand Rugby said Friday, but will still be available to play internationals next year.

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Rangers down Diamondbacks in Game 5 for first World Series title

Bruce Bochy could hardly keep the smile off his face, his new gray T-shirt drenched in some form of liquid from his team's clubhouse celebration.

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NHL and union discuss on-ice safety after player's death in England

The National Hockey League and the union representing its players have been in contact regarding further safety measures after a player in Britain's Elite Ice Hockey League died when an opposing player's skate blade cut his neck.

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Bobby Knight, basketball coach known for trophies and tantrums, dies at 83

Bobby Knight, one of college basketball’s signature coaches and a singular personality renowned for his tempestuousness and hubris, qualities that helped bring him to the pinnacle of his sport and also tainted his success, died Wednesday at his home in Bloomington, Indiana. He was 83.

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