Japan takes team silver in men's gymnastics, China wins

Japan takes team silver in men's gymnastics, China wins

BEIJING, China - Japan's men's gymnastics team members -- (from L to R) Takehiro Kashima, Takuya Nakase, Makoto Okiguchi, Koki Sakamoto, Hiroyuki Tomita and Kohei Uchimura -- pose with their silver medals after coming in second in the event at the Beijing Olympics at the National Indoor Stadium in Beijing on Aug. 12. China won the gold.

2 killed when small plane crashes in Ibaraki Pref.

2 killed when small plane crashes in Ibaraki Pref.

TSUKUBA, Japan - A twin-engined Gulfstream Commander 695 of Asia Air Survey Co. crashes in a forest in the village of Ogawa, Ibaraki Prefecture, on March 24. Two men aboard, believed to be Akihito Sakamoto and Hiroyuki Nishiyama, were killed in the crash.

Hatakeyama floors Sakamoto to retain WBA lightweight crown

Hatakeyama floors Sakamoto to retain WBA lightweight crown

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Takanori Hatakeyama scores a knock-out victory over Hiroyuki Sakamoto in the 10th round of their scheduled 12-round bout, bringing Hatakeyama victory in his first defense of the World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight title Oct. 11 at Yokohama Arena. The end came 18 seconds into the round when a straight right by Hatakeyama landed on Sakamoto's face following a straight left. The champion was ahead on all cards when the end came. He knocked out Gilbert Serrano of Venezuela for the title in June.

2 killed when small plane crashes in Ibaraki Pref.

2 killed when small plane crashes in Ibaraki Pref.

TSUKUBA, Japan - A twin-engined Gulfstream Commander 695 of Asia Air Survey Co. crashes in a forest in the village of Ogawa, Ibaraki Prefecture, on March 24. Two men aboard, believed to be Akihito Sakamoto and Hiroyuki Nishiyama, were killed in the crash. (Kyodo)

Japan takes team silver in men's gymnastics, China wins

Japan takes team silver in men's gymnastics, China wins

BEIJING, China - Japan's men's gymnastics team members -- (from L to R) Takehiro Kashima, Takuya Nakase, Makoto Okiguchi, Koki Sakamoto, Hiroyuki Tomita and Kohei Uchimura -- pose with their silver medals after coming in second in the event at the Beijing Olympics at the National Indoor Stadium in Beijing on Aug. 12. China won the gold. (Kyodo)

Hatakeyama floors Sakamoto to retain WBA lightweight crown+

Hatakeyama floors Sakamoto to retain WBA lightweight crown+

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Takanori Hatakeyama scores a knock-out victory over Hiroyuki Sakamoto in the 10th round of their scheduled 12-round bout, bringing Hatakeyama victory in his first defense of the World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight title Oct. 11 at Yokohama Arena. The end came 18 seconds into the round when a straight right by Hatakeyama landed on Sakamoto's face following a straight left. The champion was ahead on all cards when the end came. He knocked out Gilbert Serrano of Venezuela for the title in June.

Referee calls halt to Sakamoto's WBA title challenge+

Referee calls halt to Sakamoto's WBA title challenge+

TOKYO - Japan's Hiroyuki Sakamoto (center) leans against the ropes as referee Mitch Halpern (left) calls a halt to his challenge for Venezuelan Gilbert Serrano's World Boxing Association lightweight title on March 12. The fight at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan was stopped 2 minutes, 27 seconds into the fifth round when the ringside doctor ruled that Sakamoto's right eye was too swollen for him to continue.