Top pick Wembanyama, Magic's Banchero in NBA Rising Stars event

Top NBA Draft pick Victor Wembanyama and 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero are among the players named Tuesday to compete in next month's NBA Rising Stars tournament.

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Moriyasu, Endo calmly confident ahead of Asian Cup knockouts

Manager Hajime Moriyasu and captain Wataru Endo said Japan are gearing up nicely ahead of Wednesday's Asian Cup round-of-16 clash with Bahrain in Qatar, where the tournament's most successful nation is seeking its fifth championship.

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Inoue says fighting at Tokyo Dome would be extra motivation

Undisputed world super bantamweight boxing champion Naoya Inoue said Monday he would be even more motivated if he could fight at Tokyo Dome.

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Qatar ends Palestine run, Jordan stuns Iraq with Asian Cup late show

Host and holder Qatar fought back to defeat Palestine 2-1 and reach the Asian Cup quarterfinals on Monday, joining a Jordan side that struck twice in injury time to stun Iraq.

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Former Irish player Hugo MacNeill says it will be tough to replace Johnny Sexton

Ireland's hopes of successfully defending its Six Nations title hinges on filling the "massive gap" left by Johnny Sexton's decision to retire after the nation's World Cup quarterfinal loss to New Zealand, former Irish fullback Hugo MacNeill said.

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Jannik Sinner ready to dance in 'pressure storm' after winning Australian Open

A composed Jannik Sinner is ready for what comes next after winning his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, saying he likes to "dance in the pressure storm."

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Defending champion Chiefs stun Ravens to reach Super Bowl

The reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs upset the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens 17-10 to reach the Super Bowl for the fourth time in five years on Sunday.

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Ohtani receives AL MVP at writers' association dinner

Shohei Ohtani received his American League MVP award Saturday at the Baseball Writers' Association of America dinner in New York, where he gave a rare speech in English to express his thanks.

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Russian skater Valieva's future rests on sports court's decision

The future of Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, whose positive doping test ignited a scandal at the 2022 Winter Olympics, should become clearer in the coming days, as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is expected to hand down its verdict.

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Marines and ace Sasaki deny discord over MLB ambitions

Chiba Lotte Marines flamethrower Roki Sasaki said Saturday he has expressed his desire to play in Major League Baseball since joining the Pacific League club, while both sides denied that ambition delayed the signing of his 2024 contract.

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Japan's Rei Sakamoto wins junior Australian Open title

Japan's Rei Sakamoto, 17, became just the second Japanese player to win a junior boys' Grand Slam singles title on Saturday, topping Jan Kumstat of the Czech Republic in a tight three-set Australian Open final.

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Bahrain manager Juan Antonio Pizzi confident ahead of clash against Japan

Bahrain has "high morale" heading into its last-16 clash against Japan at the Asian Cup in Qatar, manager Juan Antonio Pizzi said Thursday.

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Aryna Sabalenka looking to lean on experience in Australian Open final

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka is confident she will have an emotional edge over Zheng Qinwen in Saturday's Australian Open final, but the fast-rising Chinese star believes destiny is on her side.

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Brave Blossoms to face England at Twickenham in November

Japan's Brave Blossoms will play a test against England in November at Twickenham Stadium, both nations' rugby football unions announced Thursday.

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Japan to face Bahrain in Asian Cup Round of 16

Japan, which finished second in Asian Cup Group D, will enter the knockout phase against Bahrain, which finished in first place in Group E after a 1-0 win over Jordan on Thursday.

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Former IOC exec says Paris has chance to reignite Olympic golden age

The Paris Games have a chance to "kickstart a resurgence of the Olympic brand" after two editions marred by COVID-19 and the 2014 Sochi Winter Games, which has been tarnished by a doping scandal, former International Olympic Committee marketing executive Terrence Burns said.

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JFA condemns online abuse of Japan goalkeeper keeper Zion Suzuki

Japan Football Association President Kozo Tashima on Wednesday condemned online abuse directed at Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki while he has been playing at the Asian Cup in Qatar.

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Alexander Zverev stuns Carlos Alcaraz to reach Australian Open semifinals

Alexander Zverev snuffed out a thrilling Carlos Alcaraz comeback early Thursday to set up an Australian Open semifinal against Daniil Medvedev.

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Adrian Beltre, Joe Mauer and Todd Helton named to Baseball Hall of Fame

Adrian Beltre, Joe Mauer and Todd Helton became the newest members of the Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday night, when results of the balloting conducted by voting members of the Baseball Writers Association of America were announced by President Josh Rawitch at the plaque gallery inside the museum in Cooperstown, New York.

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Teraji retains WBA and WBC titles as Akui becomes new champion

Kenshiro Teraji barely retained his WBA and WBC light flyweight titles Tuesday, while fellow Japanese boxer Seigo Yuri Akui took the WBA flyweight belt from his previously undefeated Ukrainian opponent.

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Palestine 'fulfills promise' after historic Asian Cup win

Palestine's captain said his team had fulfilled "a promise to the Palestinian people" after reaching the Asian Cup knockout rounds for the first time on Tuesday.

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Japan goalkeeper racially abused online after Asian Cup errors

Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki said Monday that he was racially abused on social media following his team's shock defeat to Iraq at the Asian Cup.

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Miho Takagi skates to victory in 1,000-meter race to claim another gold

Olympic champion Miho Takagi added the women's 1,000 meters to her gold medal haul at the Four Continents Speed Skating Championships on Sunday.

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Dayana Yastremska upsets Victoria Azarenka to reach quaterfinals

Fearless Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska surged into her first Grand Slam quarterfinal by stunning two-time champion Victoria Azarenka at the Australian Open on Monday.

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Australian swimming star Mack Horton retires ahead of Olympics

Australian swimmer Mack Horton, a fierce anti-doping campaigner, called time on his career on Sunday just months ahead of the Paris Olympics.

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Rougned Odor signs deal with Yomiuri Giants, report says

After playing in the National League for the first time last season, veteran infielder Rougned Odor is set for more change after signing a contract with the Central League's Yomiuri Giants, Hochi Sports reported.

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Awesome Alcaraz reaches second week at Melbourne for first time

Carlos Alcaraz eased into the fourth round of the Australian Open for the first time on Saturday after Chinese wildcard Shang Juncheng retired hurt while trailing their uneven contest 6-1, 6-1, 1-0.

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Japan, Brazil and Canada to feature in SheBelieves Cup in U.S.

Japan, Brazil and Canada will travel to the United States in April for the SheBelieves Cup, the annual women's tournament, the U.S. soccer association announced on Friday.

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Protesting police highlight strike risk to Paris Olympics

Hundreds of police officers protested across France on Thursday to demand extra pay during this year's Paris Olympics, highlighting the potential threat of strikes disrupting the Games.

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Palestine set hearts on Asian Cup 'history' after UAE draw

Makram Daboub told his Palestine team to make "history" by reaching the Asian Cup knockout stage for the first time following a 1-1 draw with 10-man United Arab Emirates on Thursday.

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The rise of the NFL’s 2-point conversion

The NFL playoffs have already delivered high-stakes moments around a simple decision: After a touchdown, should your team kick for 1 point, or go for 2?

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Novak Djokovic details 15-year 'special relationship' with Melbourne tree

Novak Djokovic has long credited a series of unusual methods for helping him become one of the greatest players ever, including his "special relationship" with a Melbourne tree over the past 15 years.

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Warriors assistant Dejan Milojevic dies at 46 after heart attack

Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic died at age 46 after suffering a heart attack at a team dinner in Salt Lake City, the team said on Wednesday.

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South Korea's Lee Kang-in reaching new heights under Jurgen Klinsmann

Lee Kang-in has been called "a joy" and "a flower" by South Korea coach Jurgen Klinsmann and his performance in the team's Asian Cup opener showed why the German is so smitten.

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Schoolgirl Andreeva living the dream after thrashing Jabeur at Australian Open

Russian 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva put her school work to one side Wednesday and instead underlined her huge potential by crushing sixth seed Ons Jabeur in under an hour at the Australian Open.

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Teenager Andreeva shocks Jabeur in Australian Open second round

Ons Jabeur suffered a stunning 6-0, 6-2 loss to Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva in the second round of the Australian Open on Wednesday as the sixth seed's bid to become the first Arab and African woman to win a Grand Slam title lay in tatters.

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VAR confusion as Saudi Arabia roars back to beat Oman at Asian Cup

Roberto Mancini's Saudi Arabia fought back to defeat Oman 2-1 in the dying seconds at the Asian Cup on Tuesday, but only after some confusion with the video assistant referee (VAR).

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Komusubi Takayasu withdraws from New Year meet

Komusubi Takayasu pulled out of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Tuesday after two days of action at the 15-day meet.

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Jones reveals vision of 'super-fast rugby' taking Japan to top

Japan head coach Eddie Jones on Monday outlined a vision of "super-fast rugby" that he believes can turn the Brave Blossoms into one of the world's top teams.

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WTA and ATP Tours embarking on year of formative changes

Steve Simon was feeling optimistic.

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Ski jumper Ryoyu Kobayashi soars to first World Cup win of season

Ski jumper Ryoyu Kobayashi notched his 31st career win on the World Cup circuit and first of the season in Wisla, Poland, on Sunday.

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Naomi Osaka's return set to headline Day 2 at Australian Open

Naomi Osaka is scheduled to make her comeback to Grand Slam tennis on Day 2 of the Australian Open on Monday, while Daniil Medvedev has vowed to turn over a new leaf and be "more mature" on the court.

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Ito leaps to second ski jumping World Cup win of season

Japanese ski jumper Yuki Ito on Sunday picked up her ninth career World Cup win and first victory since the season opener.

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Chiefs shut down Dolphins in frigid AFC wild-card game

Rashee Rice caught eight passes for 130 yards and a touchdown, Harrison Butker kicked four field goals and the host Kansas City Chiefs overcame frigid conditions to post a 26-7 victory over the Miami Dolphins in the AFC wild-card round on Saturday night.

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C.J. Stroud makes history as Texans win wild-card game over Browns

C.J. Stroud threw for three touchdowns, Steven Nelson and Christian Harris each had a pick-6 and the host Houston Texans rolled to a 45-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Saturday in the AFC wild-card round.

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Australia outmuscles India with 2-0 win in Asian Cup

A physical Australia side dominated India to win their Asian Cup Group B opener 2-0 in front of a crowd largely made up of Indian fans at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Qatar on Saturday.

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Ex-Barcelona junior Kubo set for lift-off with Japan at Asian Cup

Takefusa Kubo was tipped for stardom after joining Barcelona's academy at age 10 and the Japanese attacking midfielder now looks poised to realize his potential by taking the Asian Cup by storm.

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Japan's 'Throwing Philosopher' Imanaga excited to join the Cubs

Japanese pitcher Shota Imanaga said Friday he is confident he can handle the challenge of Major League Baseball after signing a four-year deal worth $53 million with the Chicago Cubs.

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Qatar puts World Cup heartache behind it to win Asian Cup opener

Two-goal Akram Afif said Qatar had "forgotten about the World Cup" after the team got its Asian Cup campaign off to a winning start in the tournament's opening game on Friday.

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How Belichick helped the Patriots go from laughingstock to economic powerhouse

It’s hard to imagine now, after six Super Bowl titles and two decades atop the NFL, but for most of their existence the New England Patriots were awful.

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Why Bill Belichick fit in so well, for so long, in New England

It is hard to make an impression, and even harder to make history in a place as old and momentous as New England. The measuring stick is so high.

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Osaka given tough assignment against Garcia in Grand Slam return

Novak Djokovic will begin his quest for a record-extending 11th Australian Open title and 25th Grand Slam crown overall against a qualifier, while Naomi Osaka was handed a tough first assignment and world No. 1 Iga Swiatek faces a tricky test against 2020 champion Sofia Kenin as the draw was announced Thursday.

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Samurai Blue the favorites as Asian Cup kicks off

The Asian Cup begins on Friday with defending champions Qatar as the hosts, Japan as the favorites and Son Heung-min's South Korea vowing to win the title for the first time in 64 years.

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Paris Olympics chief insists River Seine will host opening ceremony

The chief organizer of the 2024 Paris Olympics insisted Wednesday there were no plans to move the opening ceremony of the Games from the River Seine amid ongoing speculation about the hugely ambitious water-based show.

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Tokyo native Komatsu takes over as Haas F1 boss after Steiner's departure

After a little over two decades in Formula One, Japanese engineer Ayao Komatsu will now get a chance to run his own team.

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Japanese lefty Shota Imanaga signing with Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have agreed to a deal with Japanese left-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga, USA Today and MLB Network reported Tuesday.

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Japanese lefty Shota Imanaga signing with Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have agreed to a deal with Japanese left-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga, USA Today and MLB Network reported Tuesday.

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German football mourns 'sublime' Beckenbauer

Germany united to mourn the death of Franz Beckenbauer on Monday, with figures from across the sporting and political landscape bidding farewell to the "Kaiser."

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Ruthless Rybakina and Dimitrov take Brisbane titles

Elena Rybakina handed Aryna Sabalenka a harsh reality check on Sunday ahead of her Australian Open title defense with a crushing 6-0 6-3 victory in the final of the Brisbane International.

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Brave Lupus grind out 24-20 victory over Kubota Spears

Brave Lupus Tokyo withstood a late fightback from reigning Japan Rugby League One champions Kubota Spears for a 24-20 victory on Sunday.

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Nadal to skip Australian Open due to muscle injury

Rafael Nadal will miss the Australian Open this month after the Spaniard suffered a small muscle tear during his comeback from a long injury layoff at the Brisbane International last week, the 22-time Grand Slam champion said on Sunday.

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Stars of African soccer descend on Ivory Coast for Cup of Nations

Sadio Mane's Senegal team is aiming to retain its title and Mohamed Salah is chasing a first trophy with Egypt at this year's Africa Cup of Nations, which begins in Cote d'Ivoire on Jan. 13.

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Japan's Kobayashi clinches third Four Hills ski jump crown

Japan's Ryoyu Kobayashi on Saturday became only the sixth man to win the prestigious Four Hills ski jumping tournament on three occasions.

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Entertainer Warner bows out of cricket test game a winner

Australia opener David Warner said he hoped to be remembered as an entertainer after retiring from cricket's longest format at his home ground in the wake of a third test victory over Pakistan on Saturday.

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Victor Wembanyama sets course to become a basketball billionaire unlike any other

Rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama could become the first professional basketball player to earn $1 billion on the court.

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Five NFL playoff berths at stake in season's last weekend

Five playoff berths are up for grabs as the NFL season concludes this weekend with the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans among those chasing places in the postseason title hunt.

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Disconnect growing between Lakers and coach Darvin Ham

Still unable to emerge from a funk that is bordering on a month, there is now "a growing disconnect" between Los Angeles Lakers players and head coach Darvin Ham, The Athletic reported Thursday.

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Samurai Blue call on Mitoma to help erase Asian Cup 'frustration'

Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma was named to Japan's Asian Cup squad despite an ankle injury, as coach Hajime Moriyasu looks to erase the "frustration" of their 2019 final defeat.

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Pliskova rallies to oust Osaka in Brisbane

Karolina Pliskova gave Naomi Osaka a reality check on her return to tournament tennis by rallying for a 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 victory in a high quality second-round clash at the Brisbane International on Wednesday.

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Opportunities abound for sumo's governing body as centenary nears

The second Sunday in January is the normal starting point for the opening Grand Sumo Tournament each year.

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Nadal happy to win in return but says confidence still recovering

Rafael Nadal was elated to return to professional tennis on Tuesday after nearly a year on the sidelines but the Spaniard said recovering his confidence and natural movements on the court would take time.

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Aoyama Gakuin University takes lead on day one of Hakone ekiden

Aoyama Gakuin University took a first-day lead of 2 minutes, 38 seconds over defending champion Komazawa University on Tuesday in the annual two-day Tokyo-Hakone collegiate ekiden road relay.

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