WNBA expands to 18 teams with Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia added

Cleveland will be the first franchise to play in the WNBA among the latest additions, in 2028.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/EuyDHZ3

Flag football facing challenges and opportunities ahead

Growth of the sport is being seen in Japan and elsewhere, and some feel this could even benefit traditional gridiron.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/THLz85c

Fluminense stun Inter Milan to reach Club World Cup quarters

Fluminense became the second Brazilian side to make the last eight after Palmeiras had already sealed their quarterfinal spot.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/LSkJMHU

Osaka overcomes spirited Gibson to reach Wimbledon second round

Japan's former world No. 1 had to fight back in both sets against the Australian.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/UZ3rOjz

Barbora Krejcikova ready for Wimbledon title defense after difficult year

Krejcikova's Wimbledon participation was plunged into doubt when she pulled out of the warm-up event at Eastbourne on Thursday.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/Zs7kRol

Hall of Fame trainer and horse racing legend D. Wayne Lukas dies at 89

Lukas was one of the most accomplished trainers in U.S. racing history.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/zkve60q

PSG rolls past Lionel Messi and Inter Miami to reach Club World Cup quarterfinals

Miami had hoped Messi's magic could help it produce an unlikely result against the Argentine star's former club.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/29iNZDE

McLaren boss praises Lando Norris' character after Austrian GP triumph

Norris’ win cut the gap between him and Piastri at the top of the drivers' standings to 15 points.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/RmasKpE

Draper ready to fill Murray's shoes as Britain's Wimbledon hope

Murray retired following the 2024 Paris Olympics, but British world No. 4 Draper has already emerged as a worthy successor to the 38-year-old.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/znCjMGq

BayStars' Trevor Bauer dejected and searching for answers as slump continues

Bauer has lost four straight decisions and allowed 19 runs in his last 20⅓ innings. 

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/z2H9b8Z

Dodgers and Ohtani hand Royals record-tying 11th straight home loss

Ohtani, who was named to the All-Star Game a day earlier, lead off the game with a shot into the right field fountains in Kansas City for his 29th homer of the year.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/exzwV82

Man City and Real Madrid earn victories at Club World Cup

City became the only side win all three of its group matches as it put Juventus to the sword in front of 54,320 at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/tJ4Ub3N

Shohei Ohtani selected for All-Star Game after leading fan vote in NL

The Yankees' Aaron Judge led all MLB players in the voting and earned a starting spot in the American League.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/1zLTkKF

Kirsty Coventry says IOC will take lead regarding gender eligibility in sports

Coventry announced the formation of a working group to lead these discussions.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/HTIhzdP

Yusei Kikuchi fans 12 to help Angels complete sweep of Red Sox

The Angels won for the fourth time in their past five games.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/Vwp8f3u

Mavericks take Cooper Flagg with top pick in NBA draft

The 18-year-old Flagg, a consensus pick as the top college player as a freshman at Duke last season, is the second-youngest player taken first overall.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/C147HU0

Osaka crashes out as Paolini and Swiatek reach Bad Homburg quarters

The four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka was unable to trouble fifth seed Emma Navarro.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/m3VktcW

PSG beat Seattle to reach knockout stage at Club World Cup

With the result, coupled with Atletico Madrid's 1-0 victory over Botafogo, PSG finished first in Group B with six points from three games.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/UkHWme7

WE League finally sowing seeds of growth under new stewardship

Yoshikazu Nonomura, who took the helm a year ago, oversaw improved attendance and financial numbers during his first season as chairman.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/G0z6fPZ

Thunder get past Pacers in Game 7 to claim NBA title

The Thunder, who led the league with 68 regular-season wins, captured their first title since the club's controversial move to Oklahoma City in 2008.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/LjBgdEX

Queen's Club champion Carlos Alcaraz feeling 'great' on grass ahead of Wimbledon

The 22-year-old has extended his career-best winning streak to 18 matches, putting him in the perfect position to defend his Wimbledon title.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/gnwKld7

Shohei Ohtani pitches and homers as Dodgers rout Nationals

Ohtani, making just his second appearance on the mound since undergoing elbow ligament surgery in 2023, recorded two strikeouts in an 18-pitch appearance at Dodger Stadium.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/v30VgkI

Australian Arisa Trew sets new mark at X Games Osaka as Japan athletes shine

Trew, whose mother is Japanese, electrified the crowd at Kyocera Dome with two monster runs in the park final to put her ahead of Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Sakura Yosozumi.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/7nPhINY

Outgoing IOC President Thomas Bach faced mammoth challenges

From state-sponsored doping by Russia to the COVID-hit Tokyo Games, the 71-year-old German lawyer faced many challenges during his time in power.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/PibR7Gu

Lazzat denies Japan a first Royal Ascot winner in thrilling climax

Satono Reve lost little in defeat under Joao Moreira and did better than the previous 10 Japanese runners at the meeting

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/QAXjZ5y

Inter Milan strikes late to beat Urawa Reds at Club World Cup

Ryoma Watanabe got an early opening goal for Urawa Reds, but the Saitama-based club couldn't hang on against the Italian powerhouse.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/K0l9Lf5

Canelo Alvarez promises Terence Crawford bout will be one of his 'best'

Alvarez, whose record is an impressive 63-2-2 with 39 knockouts, has been a world champion at four different weights, as has Crawford.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/FgBlxzu

Flamengo fightback stuns Chelsea at Club World Cup

The win built on an impressive record for South American teams so far at the competition.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/eqduLin

China set to deploy teenage 'Moving Great Wall' Zhang Ziyu at Women's Asia Cup

She has been likened by Chinese fans to former Houston Rockets great Yao Ming.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/Xg0sZno

Dodgers say team kept U.S. immigration agents from accessing Dodger Stadium

The Dodgers have been criticized for their failure to publicly comment on the U.S. government's immigration crackdown in Los Angeles.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/Hic95l1

Lionel Messi scores with stunning free kick as Inter Miami upsets Porto

The Argentine superstar found the top corner of the goal with a second-half strike to clinch a surprise victory for the MLS side.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/CKPjuEb

Xabi Alonso settles for draw in debut as Real Madrid coach at Club World Cup

It was a disappointing outcome for the Spanish side's large contingent of fans in the impressive crowd of 62,415 at Hard Rock Stadium.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/NufoekG

Buss family to sell Lakers to Dodgers owner in record-shattering deal

The Buss family is selling its controlling interest in the team to billionaire Mark Walter, who already owns a minority stake in the franchise.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/KRac5Is

Wales' Josh Macleod expects stiff challenge from Eddie Jones' Brave Blossoms

Wales travels to Japan having lost 17 straight tests — a record for a major nation — since it last enjoyed a victory.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/8JofT5F

Panthers damage Stanley Cup shortly after winning title

Damage to the Stanley Cup is far from new for the 132-year-old piece of hardware

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/PSr2xXj

Tanaka and Murao strike more gold for Japan at judo worlds

Japan has won six of the 10 titles already attributed after five days of competition in Budapest.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/1bflyrm

Sam Reinhart scores four as Panthers beat Oilers to retain Stanley Cup

Reinhart scored on all four shots he took to become the first player to notch four goals in a Stanley Cup Final game since 1957.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/WNGo39b

Grand Slam champions Osaka and Keys crash at first hurdle in Berlin

It was a disappointing start to the former world No. 1's grass season, with Wimbledon starting in just under two weeks.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/XEfBaSG

River Plate ease past Urawa to start Club World Cup tilt

Under 12,000 fans attended the clash, but those who were there, many traveling from Japan and Argentina, created a vibrant atmosphere at both ends of the stadium.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/ZXr8zqe

Thunder hold off Pacers to take 3-2 NBA Finals lead

The win leaves the Thunder 3-2 up in the best-of-seven series, meaning they can seal the NBA crown with victory in Game 6 on Thursday.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/gMhbLJ5

Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge dominate initial All-Star Game vote

Ohtani, who has amassed a MLB-best 73 runs to go with a.297 batting average, 25 homers and 11 steals, paces all National League players with 1,398,771 votes.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/67Nu2J8

Russell triumphs in Canada as McLaren drivers crash

Oscar Piastri extended his lead in the drivers' standings to 22 points ahead of teammate Lando Norris, who crashed into him on lap 67 of the 70-lap race.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/UMIWL3P

PSG inspired by Los Angeles as it sets out to build new stadium

Paris Saint-Germain is drawing inspiration from the success of new state-of-the-art venues in Los Angeles as the club begins the process of building a new stadium for the team.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/bJYMFZG

U.S. Open leader Burns eyes first major title at historic Oakmont

The 28-year-old American will carry a one-stroke lead into Sunday's final round after firing a 1-under-par 69 on Saturday.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/FKt39GS

From samurai threat to Asian Games as Japan cricket fights obscurity

Japan's cricket association says the sport is slowly gaining popularity and hopes next year's home Asian Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics can take it to a new level.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/TrSp61m

Russell grabs dazzling Canadian GP pole then jokes at Verstappen's expense

The 27-year-old British driver was delighted with what he described as "one of the most exhilarating laps of my life."

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/bt6SADz

Thunder rally to beat Pacers and level NBA Finals at 2-2

Frustrated for much of the game by Indiana's relentless defense, NBA MVP Gilgeous-Alexander found a way to fight through and dominated the fourth quarter.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/2yolKYs

SGA says Thunder have no room for fatigue in NBA Finals

"You got to suck it up," the NBA MVP said Thursday, a day after the Pacers rallied in the fourth quarter of Game 3 to seize the lead in the best-of-seven series.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/ITDwXAJ

Eddie Jones hoping for sweltering conditions when Japan faces wounded Wales

Wales heads to Japan having lost its last 17 tests, a record for a Tier One country in the professional era.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/urxwC1Y

Mets' Kodai Senga headed to IL after suffering hamstring injury in win

Senga struck out five and lowered his ERA to an MLB-best 1.47.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/xCp3F7R

Scottie Scheffler leads field into ultimate U.S. Open test at Oakmont

Scheffler enters the U.S. Open in stellar form having secured three wins in his last four starts.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/rJMGqTX

Max Verstappen heads into Canadian GP hoping to win and stay out of trouble

If Verstappen collects one more penalty point on his racing license he will automatically miss the Austrian Grand Prix later this month.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/uMWvKPb

U.S. begins countdown to World Cup amid Donald Trump's immigration crackdown

The United States, along with Canada and Mexico, is set to cohost the tournament, which will feature 48 teams and a record 104 matches.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/H3hqltS

Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani moves closer to pitching return

Asked whether Ohtani could pitch for the team before the All-Star break, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the chances are "north of zero."

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/Uo53QhC

Pacers admit Tyrese Haliburton is hurting but will play Game 3

"I don't think you're going to hear him making a big deal out of it," coach Rick Carlisle said Tuesday.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/xe8XJqR

Japan and South Korea celebrate World Cup qualification with big wins

Japan romped to a 6-0 thrashing of Patrick Kluivert's Indonesia in Osaka.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/AW4HrYS

Senegal becomes first African team to beat England with 3-1 win

England's loss was its first defeat in four games under new manager Thomas Tuchel.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/nuwv8h1

Italy not in a good place for successor, says sacked Spalletti

Spalletti announced his own dismissal on the eve of the Moldova match, which comes after less than two years in the role and included a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/zLkDl1C

Japan's baseball world divided on fans' social media use

NPB introduced a ban in February on posting photos and videos of players on the field during play to social media sites.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/aOzVDAs

Former yokozuna Hakuho leaves Japanese sumo; plans to develop sport outside JSA

The impetus for the decision, Hakuho said, was the failure of the JSA to provide a clear timeline about the restoration of Miyagino stable.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/3invKsH

Thunder roll past Pacers in Game 2 to even NBA Finals

The Thunder maintained their record of not losing back-to-back games in these playoffs.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/WBNMLna

'Prince of Clay' Carlos Alcaraz stages epic rally to retain French Open crown

The victory made Alcaraz only the second man since tennis turned professional in 1968 to win his first five Grand Slam singles finals.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/ZyFVLKa

Mourners pay tribute to Japanese baseball legend Nagashima at funeral

Nagashima, nicknamed "Mr. Professional Baseball" for his commanding performances and presence, served as Giants manager after retiring as a player.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/Ys9RDze

Dodgers need more offense to avoid sweep at Cardinals

The Dodgers, who have lost five of their last seven games, will turn to veteran left-hander Clayton Kershaw (0-0, 5.17 ERA) to finish the series.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/fesVUDZ

Gauff continues American renaissance by stunning Sabalenka for French Open glory

The 21-year-old's victory helped her become the first American to capture the singles trophy in Paris since Serena Williams in 2015.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/NsAc5WL

Panthers even series with Oilers on Brad Marchand's double OT goal

After the Panthers surrendered a final-minute Oilers goal to force overtime, they recovered thanks to Marchand's breakaway tally in the second overtime period.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/SBixZ3T

'Honoured' Djokovic hints at possible Roland Garros farewell after semifinal loss

Following his loss to Sinner, Djokovic stopped briefly on his way off Court Philippe Chatrier and took a moment to "show his gratitude" to the Paris crowd.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/2N1edAw

Moriyasu mourns end of unbeaten run after loss to Australia

"It ended up being an extremely frustrating and disappointing result," Moriyasu told reporters.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/ruCxhD4

Sabalenka downs holder Swiatek to set up French Open final with Gauff

The Belarusian will face 2022 finalist Gauff in Saturday's showcase match after the American crushed French hopes with a straight-sets victory over wild card Lois Boisson.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/QdcKRJZ

Steelers respond to fans after QB Mason Rudolph attends Trump rally

The team reminded fans that the opinions of individual players "do not necessarily represent the view of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization."

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/LjfrSMQ

Novak Djokovic silences doubters again on way French Open semifinals

The 24-time Grand Slam winner moves on to face world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the semifinals

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/e6fpwKI

LA28 unveils venue plan for largest ever Paralympics

The Paralympics will seek to take advantage of the city's vast network of existing sports venues when it hosts the event for the first time.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/br0j4MU

Knicks fire Thibodeau as coach after exiting NBA playoffs

The Knicks, who have not won the NBA title since 1973, fell to Indiana in six games in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Finals.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/Nj6XWJh

FIFA's inaugural Club World Cup set to kick off in the U.S. amid challenges

The tournament has had to contend with the prospect of empty seats, controversial qualification rules and player welfare concerns.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/waSo87C

At this New York City sumo club, ‘Everybody gets thrown’

The New York Sumo Club has about 100 wrestlers, with around 20 regulars.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/QGF8Pha

Japanese baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima dies at 89

Long before the rise of Shohei Ohtani and Ichiro Suzuki, Nagashima was arguably the most famous player in Japanese baseball history.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/Jf75BTK

Australia faces 'best team in Asia' Japan in quest for World Cup berth

"To be the best we have to beat the best and they clearly are," said Australia coach Tony Popovic.

from Sports - The Japan Times https://ift.tt/M2AbhBE