Baseball: Ohtani among 8 players named for Japan's WBC roster

Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata (C) meets the press in Tokyo on Dec. 26, 2025, after announcing the first eight members of his roster for March's World Baseball Classic, including Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.

Baseball: Ohtani among 8 players named for Japan's WBC roster

Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata (C) meets the press in Tokyo on Dec. 26, 2025, after announcing the first eight members of his roster for March's World Baseball Classic, including Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.

Baseball: Ohtani among 8 players named for Japan's WBC roster

Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata poses in Tokyo on Dec. 26, 2025, after announcing the first eight members of his roster for March's World Baseball Classic, including Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.

Baseball: Ohtani among 8 players named for Japan's WBC roster

Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata poses in Tokyo on Dec. 26, 2025, after announcing the first eight members of his roster for March's World Baseball Classic, including Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.

Baseball: Ohtani among 8 players named for Japan's WBC roster

Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata poses in Tokyo on Dec. 26, 2025, after announcing the first eight members of his roster for March's World Baseball Classic, including Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.

Chinese young baseball players express high expectations for matches in California

STORY: Chinese young baseball players express high expectations for matches in California SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 19, 2024 DATELINE: Jan. 24, 2024 LENGTH: 00:02:31 LOCATION: NANJING, China CATEGORY: SPORTS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the training sessions (file footage) 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): HAN YUFEI, Baseball player, Student of Changzhou Beijiao Senior High School 3. various of the training sessions 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): SONG BINGZE, Baseball player, Student of Changzhou Beijiao Senior High School 5. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): ZHANG MINGXUAN, Baseball player, Student of Changzhou Beijiao Senior High School 6. various of the training sessions (file footage) 7. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): SHEN LIAN, Deputy Director of Foreign Affairs Office of Changzhou STORYLINE: Twenty Chinese young baseball players set off for the United States to participate in the California Winter League (CWL) on Sunday. This team from Changzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province is the only high school team among a total of eight teams fro

TOP 10 WORLD SPORTS NEWS EVENTS IN 2023

(231229) -- BEIJING, Dec. 29, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Here is Xinhua News Agency's selection of the 10 most significant pieces of international sports news in 2023: The 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup was staged in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines from August 25 to September 10, marking the first time in history that the event has been hosted by multiple countries. After defeating Serbia 83-77 in the final, Germany won its first World Cup with an unbeaten record in eight games, becoming the seventh different team to win the title. Germany guard Dennis Schroder was named the tournament's MVP. This file photo taken on Sept. 8, 2023 shows players of Germany celebrating after winning the semifinal between the United States and Germany at the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Manila, the Philippines. (Xinhua/Meng Yongmin)

TOP 10 CHINESE SPORTS NEWS EVENTS IN 2023

(231228) -- BEIJING, Dec. 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Here is Xinhua News Agency's selection of the 10 most significant pieces of Chinese sports news in 2023: Chinese tennis players achieved new heights in Grand Slams and world tournaments. A record-breaking 10 men's and women's players from the Chinese mainland competed in the singles main draw of the Australian Open. Wu Yibing became the first Chinese mainland player to lift an ATP Tour trophy after winning the Dallas Open title in February. Seven players from the Chinese mainland reached the second round of the US Open singles, with Zheng Qinwen reaching the last eight, while Zhang Zhizhen notably defeated fifth seed Casper Ruud, becoming the first men's player from the Chinese mainland to beat the world's top-5 player in Grand Slam tournaments. At the Hangzhou Asian Games, Zheng triumphed in the women's singles, and Zhang captured China's first Asiad men's singles gold medal in nearly three decades. This file photo taken on Feb. 12, 2023 shows Wu Yibing of China

TOP 10 CHINESE SPORTS NEWS EVENTS IN 2023

(231228) -- BEIJING, Dec. 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Here is Xinhua News Agency's selection of the 10 most significant pieces of Chinese sports news in 2023: Chinese tennis players achieved new heights in Grand Slams and world tournaments. A record-breaking 10 men's and women's players from the Chinese mainland competed in the singles main draw of the Australian Open. Wu Yibing became the first Chinese mainland player to lift an ATP Tour trophy after winning the Dallas Open title in February. Seven players from the Chinese mainland reached the second round of the US Open singles, with Zheng Qinwen reaching the last eight, while Zhang Zhizhen notably defeated fifth seed Casper Ruud, becoming the first men's player from the Chinese mainland to beat the world's top-5 player in Grand Slam tournaments. At the Hangzhou Asian Games, Zheng triumphed in the women's singles, and Zhang captured China's first Asiad men's singles gold medal in nearly three decades. This file photo taken on Sept. 30, 2023 shows Zhang Zhizhen of

TOP 10 CHINESE SPORTS NEWS EVENTS IN 2023

(231228) -- BEIJING, Dec. 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Here is Xinhua News Agency's selection of the 10 most significant pieces of Chinese sports news in 2023: Chinese tennis players achieved new heights in Grand Slams and world tournaments. A record-breaking 10 men's and women's players from the Chinese mainland competed in the singles main draw of the Australian Open. Wu Yibing became the first Chinese mainland player to lift an ATP Tour trophy after winning the Dallas Open title in February. Seven players from the Chinese mainland reached the second round of the US Open singles, with Zheng Qinwen reaching the last eight, while Zhang Zhizhen notably defeated fifth seed Casper Ruud, becoming the first men's player from the Chinese mainland to beat the world's top-5 player in Grand Slam tournaments. At the Hangzhou Asian Games, Zheng triumphed in the women's singles, and Zhang captured China's first Asiad men's singles gold medal in nearly three decades. This file photo taken on Sept. 4, 2023 shows Zheng Qinwen of Ch

Shogi prodigy Fujii wins JT Cup

Shogi eight titles holder Sota Fujii speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on Nov. 19, 2023, after winning the Japan Tobacco Cup -- an annual tournament fought between 12 select pro players -- for the second consecutive year.

Shogi prodigy Fujii wins JT Cup

Shogi eight titles holder Sota Fujii poses at a press conference in Tokyo on Nov. 19, 2023, after winning the Japan Tobacco Cup -- an annual tournament fought between 12 select pro players -- for the second consecutive year.

China's football team arrives in Australia for FIFA Women's World Cup

STORY: China's football team arrives in Australia for FIFA Women's World Cup DATELINE: July 8, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:49 LOCATION: ADELAIDE, Australia CATEGORY: SPORTS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Chinese national football team arriving at Adelaide Airport 2. various of Chinese national football team leaving airport and going to hotel STORYLINE: The Chinese national football team arrived in South Australia (SA) on Saturday to participate in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. Fans waited at the airport in Adelaide, the capital city of SA, to welcome the Chinese team with flowers as gifts, cheering the players, "Steel Roses, come on China!" The 2023 World Cup will be held in Australia and New Zealand between July 20-August 20. Only the top two teams from eight groups will enter the round of 16, as this is the first time that women's football's biggest tournament will expand to a 32-team format. China, having clinched the Asian Cup last year, is placed in Group D with England, Denmark and Haiti. At the

Cambodian badminton players proud to win historic gold medal in SEA Games

STORY: Cambodian badminton players proud to win historic gold medal in SEA Games DATELINE: May 16, 2023 LENGTH: 0:03:38 LOCATION: Phnom Penh CATEGORY: SPORTS SHOTLIST: 1 various of the the final of the mixed team badminton match at the SEA Games 2 various ot the Cambodia's mixed team badminton players 3 SOUNDBITE 1 (Cambodian): YANG SAMNANG, Cambodian badminton player 4 SOUNDBITE 2 (Cambodian): PHON CHENDA, Cambodian badminton player 5 various of the Morodok Techo National Stadium STORYLINE: Cambodian badminton players are proud to have earned a historic gold medal in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games for their country after defeating their Myanmar rivals in the final of the mixed team badminton event last week. The 10-member mixed team badminton players had been trained in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, for eight months before competing in the 32nd SEA Games, which was hosted by Cambodia from May 5 to 17. Yang Samnang, one of the mixed team badminton members, said he was el

Baseball: MLB All-Star Home Run Derby

DENVER, United States, July 12 Kyodo - The eight players competing in the MLB All-Star Home Run Derby are pictured before the derby on July 12, 2021, at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado.

Nishikori among top players for tennis tour finals

LONDON, Britain - Japan's Kei Nishikori (C) and other players in the ATP World Tour Finals strike a pose in London on Nov. 7, 2014, as the top eight professional tennis players this year are set to vie for the most prestigious title. His opening match opponent Andy Murray of Britain (2nd from R) stands beside him.

S. African rugby players coach Japanese high schoolers

NARA, Japan - Eight top rugby players from South Africa, ranked second in the world, visit Gosho in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, to coach top Japanese high school rugby teams on Oct. 13, 2014, as the young Japanese players are expected to be among leading players in the 2019 World Cup to be hosted in Japan.

World Table Tennis Championships begin in Yokohama

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Table tennis players compete at the 2009 World Table Tennis Championship at Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, on April 28 as the eight-day competition began.

Baseball: Rakuten dominate All-star fan voting

SENDAI, Japan - Seven Rakuten Eagles players named July 2 to the upcoming All-Star series pose for photographers at Fullcast Stadium in Sendai. (Back row, from L to R) rookie pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, slugger Takeshi Yamasaki, outfielder Teppei, catcher Motohiro Shima. (Front row, from L to R) outfielder Koichi Isobe, infielder Yosuke Takasu, pitcher Kazuo Fukumori. Yamasaki, who has hit 28 home runs and 61 RBIs this season -- both Pacific League highs -- was the top vote-getter overall with 1,094,803 as Rakuten, with eight players named to the All-Stars, dominated the 12 sections in the PL for the July 20-21 series at Tokyo Dome and Fullcast Stadium.

Miyazato gets crack at $1 mil at ADT Championship

WEST PALM BEACH, United States - The eight position players in the ADT Championship pose for a photo after the third round at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Nov. 18. (From L to R) Lorena Ochoa, Julieta Granada, Kim Mi Hyun, Natalie Gulbis, Paula Creamer, Chung Il Mi, Ai Miyazato and Karrie Webb.

Iraqi karate players give demonstrations for SDF members in Japan

TOKYO, Japan - Riyadh Kazhem Awadh (far left) and two other Iraqi karate players give model demonstrations of their karate skills and techniques during a session of the 45th All Self-Defense Forces Karate Championship at Tokyo's Nippon Budokan hall on June3. The three are among the eight members of the Iraqi Karate Federation and its Muthanna branch, now on a Japan stay at the invitation of the Foreign Ministry with a view to strengthening goodwill toward Japan in Iraq through sports exchange.

(3)MLB All-Stars - Game 3

TOKYO, Japan - Atlanta Braves Johnny Estrada hits a solo homer in the ninth inning of Game 3 of an eight-game exhibition series at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 7. The major league players romped to a 7-3 victory over the Japanese team for their third straight win. (MLB)

(4)MLB All-Stars - Game 3

TOKYO, Japan - Montreal Expos Brad Wilkerson (L) exchanges hand slaps with Boston Red Sox David Ortiz in the ninth inning of Game 3 of an eight-game exhibition series at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 7. The major league players romped to a 7-3 victory over the Japanese team for their third straight win. (MLB)

(1)MLB All-Stars - Game 3

TOKYO, Japan - Toronto Blue Jays Vernon Wells hits a solo homer in the fourth inning of Game 3 of an eight-game exhibition series at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 7. The major league players romped to a 7-3 victory over the Japanese team for their third straight win. (MLB)

(2)MLB All-Stars - Game 3

TOKYO, Japan - Chicago Cubs Moises Alou (C) looks at a ball after slamming a two-run homer to left off Hanshin Tigers Kei Igawa (L) in the fourth inning of Game 3 of an eight-game exhibition series at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 7. The major league players romped to a 7-3 victory over the Japanese team for their third straight win. (MLB)

Major Leaguers arrive in Japan

NARITA, Japan - David Ortiz (L) and Manny Ramirez, who helped the Boston Red Sox win their first World Series title in 86 years, arrive at Narita airport east of Tokyo on Nov. 3 as member of the major league team that will play a select team of Japanese players in an eight-game exhibition series beginning Nov. 5. (MLB)

(1)Utsugi hits winner as Japan secures softball medal

ATHENS, Greece - Players and supporters celebrate after Japan edged China 1-0 to guarantee themselves a medal in the Athens Olympic softball tournament at Olympic Softball Stadium on Aug. 22. Yukiko Ueno pitched eight shutout innings and Reiko Utsugi doubled home the winning run in the top of the eighth inning.

(2)Zico axes boozing players from Japan squad

TOKYO, Japan - Japan coach Zico bites his lips at a news conference on March 19 after naming his 23-man squad to play in the 2006 World Cup Asian zone Group 3 qualifier away to Singapore on March 31. He dropped eight players who indulged in a drinking binge and acted improperly during a training camp from the national team.

(1)Zico axes boozing players from Japan squad

TOKYO, Japan - Japan coach Zico speaks at a news conference on March 19 after naming his 23-man squad to play in the 2006 World Cup Asian zone Group 3 qualifier away to Singapore on March 31. Eight players who indulged in a drinking binge and acted improperly during a training camp were dropped from the national team.

62-member N. Korean delegation arrives in S. Korea

SEOUL, South Korea - A 62-member North Korean sports delegation arrives at Seoul's Kimpo international airport via Beijing on Dec. 22 on a four-day visit to play a series of friendly basketball matches with South Korean players. The delegation comprises 38 basketball players, 14 circus performers, eight officials and two TV crew members. The visit is sponsored by South Korea's Hyundai Business Group.

J-League bans political action at stadiums

Japanese soccer's J-League has urged all 26 clubs in its first and second divisions to prevent their players from taking political action at stadiums after Yugoslav players protested against NATO's bombing of the Balkan country, league officials said March 30. The photo shows Dragan Stojkovic of Nagoya Grampus Eight, captain of the Yugoslav national team, wearing a shirt bearing the message ''NATO stop strikes'' after a match in Kobe on March 27.

China remain only unbeaten team in Men's World Chess Championship

STORY: China remain only unbeaten team in Men's World Chess Championship DATELINE: Nov. 22, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:02 LOCATION: Jerusalem CATEGORY: SPORTS SHOTLIST: 1. various of preparations for the chess championship games in Jerusalem 2. various of Chinese players during the games 3. various of children open the games with a gong 4. various of players during the games STORYLINE: China became the only unbeaten team after the second day of the 2022 Men's World Team Chess Championship in Jerusalem on Monday. China beat Ukraine 3-1 and the Netherlands 3.5-0.5 in the six-team Group A, raising their record to full eight points from four matches and securing their spot in the quarterfinals with one round to go. Bai Jinshi and Li Di scored 3.5 points from four games for China so far, while Xu Xiangyu contributed three points. China captain Wen Yang, a gold medalist from the 2017 World Team Championship, told Xinhua that the team is very young, and this is the first time for some players to participate i

Unvaccinated NBA Player Kyrie Irving Banned From Playing

The strict vaccination laws in New York City could potentially be stricter, and that is bad news for the unvaccinated NBA players right now. This is a huge blow for the unvaccinated stars in the NBA, both in the short and long-term. If the bill passes, either on January or earlier, players who refuse the vaccine will not be allowed to play a minimum of four games to a maximum of eight in the regular season. Kyrie Irving is the most famous example, having been strictly against vaccination - FILE - The Boston Celtics' Kyrie Irving looks for an open pass against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 17, 2017, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Photo by Leah Klafczynski/Akron Beacon Journal/TNS/ABACAPRESS.COM

Unvaccinated NBA Player Kyrie Irving Banned From Playing

The strict vaccination laws in New York City could potentially be stricter, and that is bad news for the unvaccinated NBA players right now. This is a huge blow for the unvaccinated stars in the NBA, both in the short and long-term. If the bill passes, either on January or earlier, players who refuse the vaccine will not be allowed to play a minimum of four games to a maximum of eight in the regular season. Kyrie Irving is the most famous example, having been strictly against vaccination - FILE - The Boston Celtics' Kyrie Irving questions a call during action against at Orlando Magic at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019. The Magic won, 105-103. Photo by Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS/ABACAPRESS.COM

Unvaccinated NBA Player Kyrie Irving Banned From Playing

The strict vaccination laws in New York City could potentially be stricter, and that is bad news for the unvaccinated NBA players right now. This is a huge blow for the unvaccinated stars in the NBA, both in the short and long-term. If the bill passes, either on January or earlier, players who refuse the vaccine will not be allowed to play a minimum of four games to a maximum of eight in the regular season. Kyrie Irving is the most famous example, having been strictly against vaccination - FILE - The Cleveland Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving flexes his muscles after making a shot while being fouled against the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter during Game 4 of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on Friday, June 9, 2017. Photo by Phil Masturzo/Akron Beacon Journal/TNS/ABACAPRESS.COM

Unvaccinated NBA Player Kyrie Irving Banned From Playing

The strict vaccination laws in New York City could potentially be stricter, and that is bad news for the unvaccinated NBA players right now. This is a huge blow for the unvaccinated stars in the NBA, both in the short and long-term. If the bill passes, either on January or earlier, players who refuse the vaccine will not be allowed to play a minimum of four games to a maximum of eight in the regular season. Kyrie Irving is the most famous example, having been strictly against vaccination - FILE - Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving high-fives sideline fans during the first quarter in Game 3 of a third round Eastern Conference playoff game against the Boston Celtics on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in Cleveland, Ohio. Photo by Leah Klafczynski/Akron Beacon Journal/TNSABACAPRESS.COM

Unvaccinated NBA Player Kyrie Irving Banned From Playing

The strict vaccination laws in New York City could potentially be stricter, and that is bad news for the unvaccinated NBA players right now. This is a huge blow for the unvaccinated stars in the NBA, both in the short and long-term. If the bill passes, either on January or earlier, players who refuse the vaccine will not be allowed to play a minimum of four games to a maximum of eight in the regular season. Kyrie Irving is the most famous example, having been strictly against vaccination - FILE - The Cleveland Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving, right, chases after a loose ball as the Charlotte Hornets' Kemba Walker, left, looks on during the first half at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., on Friday, March 24, 2017. Photo by Jeff Siner/Charlotte Observer/TNS/ABACAPRESS.COM

Unvaccinated NBA Player Kyrie Irving Banned From Playing

The strict vaccination laws in New York City could potentially be stricter, and that is bad news for the unvaccinated NBA players right now. This is a huge blow for the unvaccinated stars in the NBA, both in the short and long-term. If the bill passes, either on January or earlier, players who refuse the vaccine will not be allowed to play a minimum of four games to a maximum of eight in the regular season. Kyrie Irving is the most famous example, having been strictly against vaccination - FILE - Kyrie Irving attends the 2018 MTV Movie And TV Awards at Barker Hangar on June 16, 2018 in Santa Monica, California. Photo by Lionel Hahn/ABACAPRESS.COM

Unvaccinated NBA Player Kyrie Irving Banned From Playing

The strict vaccination laws in New York City could potentially be stricter, and that is bad news for the unvaccinated NBA players right now. This is a huge blow for the unvaccinated stars in the NBA, both in the short and long-term. If the bill passes, either on January or earlier, players who refuse the vaccine will not be allowed to play a minimum of four games to a maximum of eight in the regular season. Kyrie Irving is the most famous example, having been strictly against vaccination - FILE - Kyrie Irving attends the 2018 MTV Movie And TV Awards at Barker Hangar on June 16, 2018 in Santa Monica, California. Photo by Lionel Hahn/ABACAPRESS.COM

Tokyo Olympics: Softball

Australian players look dejected after a 2-1, eight-inning loss to the United States in the opening round of the Tokyo Olympic softball tournament on July 25, 2021, at Yokohama baseball stadium near Tokyo.

Urawa clinch 2nd-stage title SAITAMA, Japan - Urawa Red Diamonds players toss their manager Guido Buchwald in the air after capturing their first-ever J-League stage title by winning the second stage despite a 2-1 defeat to Nagoya Grampus Eight at Urawa Komaba Stadium. The photo was taken on Nov. 20, 2004. (Kyodo)

Iraqi karate players give demonstrations for SDF members in Japa

TOKYO, Japan - Riyadh Kazhem Awadh (far left) and two other Iaqi karate players give model demonstrations of their karate skills and techniques during a session of the 45th All Self-Defense Forces Karate Championship at Tokyo's Nippon Budokan hall on June3. The three are among the eight members of the Iraqi Karate Federation and its Muthanna branch, now on a Japan stay at the invitation of the Foreign Ministry with a view to strengthening goodwill toward Japan in Iraq through sports exchange. (Kyodo)

Miyazato gets crack at $1 mil at ADT Championship

WEST PALM BEACH, United States - The eight position players in the ADT Championship pose for a photo after the third round at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Nov. 18. (From L to R) Lorena Ochoa, Julieta Granada, Kim Mi Hyun, Natalie Gulbis, Paula Creamer, Chung Il Mi, Ai Miyazato and Karrie Webb. (Kyodo)

Baseball: Rakuten dominate All-star fan voting

SENDAI, Japan - Seven Rakuten Eagles players named July 2 to the upcoming All-Star series pose for photographers at Fullcast Stadium in Sendai. (Back row, from L to R) rookie pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, slugger Takeshi Yamasaki, outfielder Teppei, catcher Motohiro Shima. (Front row, from L to R) outfielder Koichi Isobe, infielder Yosuke Takasu, pitcher Kazuo Fukumori. Yamasaki, who has hit 28 home runs and 61 RBIs this season -- both Pacific League highs -- was the top vote-getter overall with 1,094,803 as Rakuten, with eight players named to the All-Stars, dominated the 12 sections in the PL for the July 20-21 series at Tokyo Dome and Fullcast Stadium. (Kyodo)

World Table Tennis Championships begin in Yokohama

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Table tennis players compete at the 2009 World Table Tennis Championship at Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, on April 28 as the eight-day competition began. (Kyodo)

Baseball: MLB All-Star Game

The eight players competing in the MLB All-Star Home Run Derby pose for a photo before the derby on July 12, 2021, at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado.

Baseball: MLB All-Star Game

The eight players competing in the MLB All-Star Home Run Derby are pictured before the derby on July 12, 2021, at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado.

Nishikori to face Djokovic in ATP World Tour Finals opener

Undated photo shows tennis player Kei Nishikori. He will open his ATP World Tour Finals campaign against top-ranked Novak Djokovic on Nov. 15, 2015, after the draw was made on Nov. 12 for the season-ending event in London featuring the top eight players in the rankings. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Brave Blossoms finish RWC campaign with 3 wins as they top Eagles

Japan players celebrate after defeating the United States 28-18 in a Rugby World Cup Pool B match at Kingsholm in Gloucester, England on Oct. 11, 2015. Although the Brave Blossoms scored three wins in the pool stage, they failed to make it to the last eight. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

(1)Utsugi hits winner as Japan secures softball medal

ATHENS, Greece - Players and supporters celebrate after Japan edged China 1-0 to guarantee themselves a medal in the Athens Olympic softball tournament at Olympic Softball Stadium on Aug. 22. Yukiko Ueno pitched eight shutout innings and Reiko Utsugi doubled home the winning run in the top of the eighth inning. (Kyodo)